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Archive for July 1st, 2010


Posted on July 1, 2010 - by

HOW TO REDUCE PHYSICAL AGGRESSION IN THE CONFUSED ELDERLY USING ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE

The confused elderly may strike out at times when they are afraid, or misunderstand what is happening. Doing an activity or exercise that uses large muscles can give the elder an opportunity to use those physical movements in appositive way.

Exercises that can reduce aggressive behavior:

  • Participate in an exercise program – if the elder is especially physically aggressive – they could exercise more than once a day.
  • Encourage loud counting with exercise movements – to get out those aggressive sounds.
  • Encourage using hand held objects, especially large colorful objects during exercise.
  1. Large colorful foam noodles
  2. Thera-band or stretchy cords
  3. Large colorful bean bags
  4. Therapy Balls
  5. Over the door pulleys
  • Encourage throwing exercises/activities
  1. All kinds of large colorful balls (beach, foam, therapy)
  2. Throwing things into something – laundry basket, over nets, through hoops, bean bag toss
  3. Throw plastic horse shoes, plastic air planes,
  • Hitting activities/exercises
  1. Inflatable bouncing figure with weighted bottom (clown)
  2. Drums
  3. Punching bag
  4. Punching ball on elastic band
  5. Hitting balloons or beach balls to each other in a group activity
  • Tearing and ripping activities
  1. Old fabrics into strips
  2. Newspaper
  3. Paper that needs to be shredded
  4. Magazines
  5. Any kind of food item that needs to be torn (lettuce)
  • Kicking Activities/exercises – using a beach ball, large foam balls (make sure the elder has good balance before trying kicking any object)
  • Clapping hands to music with a good beat
  • Dancing
  • Walking

Any activity, exercise or hobby the confused elder enjoyed in the past that used large muscle groups, will give the elder a positive opportunity to be physical.

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com