The Dutch government believes that elderly people should continue to live in their own environment as much as possible. Overall, this is a view that will be shared by many people. But there are also situations where this independent living will prove almost impossible. What about an elderly person who shouts, moans or whines all day long? Not much research has been done into this phenomenon, but it is one of the causes that can burden informal care to such an extent that living at home becomes impossible.
- Number of elderly people who have to deal with this problem
- Emergence of shouting, whining or groaning
- Patient with schizophrenia
- More movement disorders arise
- Activities to reduce the disorder
- Caring for elderly people with psychological problems demands a lot from the partner
- Care plan and assistance
Number of elderly people who have to deal with this problem
It appears that in nursing homes approximately 11% of all elderly people suffer from shouting, moaning or whining. In nursing homes this percentage is even around 25%. This may involve calling for attention, moaning as if in pain or walking around whining. Nursing and care staff usually know how to deal with this and they are only in the vicinity of the patient for a few hours, so it is also manageable for the caregiver. There is knowledge about the nature of the disease and the resulting complaints and problems. This makes it possible to provide these patients with good care. However, this is completely different in the home situation.
Emergence of shouting, whining or groaning
There can be a different number of causes that cause people to shout, whine or groan. These include:
- Dementia
- Brain damage
- Stroke
- Delirium
- Depression
- Sleep disorders
- Too little stimulation or social contacts
Patient with schizophrenia
But schizophrenia can also cause the patient to develop disorders that cause them to moan or whine. Insight into the nature and causes of the restless movements is necessary. Sometimes the cause lies in the medications that are used. For example, Haldol can be a culprit. But if the medication is stopped, it is not certain that the complaints will disappear. Myoclonia are short jerks reminiscent of epilepsy. However, with epilepsy the patient loses consciousness, which is not the case with short-term jerking movements. People can hit with their arms and jerk with their entire body. Vulnerable people who are sensitive and who have lost their balance due to psychiatric illnesses are often the patients who have to deal with these complaints.
More movement disorders arise
Some people with dementia often suffer from movement disorders. They stand and sit again and again and walk around, then stand and sit again. Sometimes they jerk their arms and/or legs. We call this motor restlessness. Motor control is disturbed. The brain no longer gives the right signal. These people also walk unsteadily and often spill fluid because their movements are no longer controlled. These disorders are very difficult because the environment does not understand what is going on. People no longer have control over the movements of the body. The patient suffers greatly from this because he/she starts to feel more and more helpless. If the movement disorder is caused by dementia, it can hardly be treated. The only thing one can do is to gain understanding and acceptance from the environment that cares for the patient. People are unable to stop the movements. For example, one can sit opposite a patient who is constantly crossing and releasing his arms. Then the same action starts again. But strange tongue and smacking movements can also occur and these are very difficult in company.
Activities to reduce the disorder
Distraction and activities can often provide more improvement than one would expect. At some point, going for a bike ride or a walk can provide enough distraction to get through the day. Insufficient stimulation of the brain is an important cause. There is a lack of impulses from outside. We all need external stimuli and if these are lacking because the patient is no longer capable of normal communication, isolation occurs. In such a situation, the patient can provide his brain with the necessary stimuli by shouting, moaning or whimpering. But tension and fatigue can also be the cause of calling. Soft whimpering or groaning or very loud screaming are all possible. These can be individual words or sentences, sometimes it seems as if the person is talking to himself. Calling can become automatic, which can last for hours and which is very disruptive to the environment.
Caring for elderly people with psychological problems demands a lot from the partner
Caring for elderly people with psychological problems demands a lot from the immediate environment. The person changes in his or her behavior. Communication changes and it is difficult to understand the patient’s train of thought. The partner from before is no longer there. His/her character changes and can no longer be called logical. Caring for a partner who has a psychiatric illness is completely different from caring for a physically ill person. The latter is visible and people can communicate together about the disease and the way in which you both deal with the disease. In a patient with a psychiatric disorder, communication is disrupted and both can feel very alone in the situation. Lack of understanding among family, friends and local residents can worsen the situation. Contact with fellow sufferers can certainly provide relief. In this context, you can contact the Ypsilon Foundation.
Care plan and assistance
Now that the government has decided that the elderly must continue to live at home in their familiar environment for longer, the necessary attention must be paid to this problem. It is impossible for a partner to close their eyes and ears to the situation. Someone who moans, shouts or whines for a number of hours a day will completely exhaust the partner or informal caregiver in the long term. Generous help and guidance should therefore be provided in the home situation, with attention being paid to both the patient and the partner (who is usually also elderly). A care plan that alternates between activity and rest and is tailored to the capabilities of the patient and his/her environment will require a lot of attention.
