What would cause this erratic behavior in an elderly person?

Question

My wife's grandfather is living with us. He's just not able to care for himself since his wife died.  So we're looking after him. His behavior is growing more erratic all the time. Mostly anger.  He also sits in the corner and just talks to himself all day long. He will have conversation with people that aren't even in the room. One day he even proceeded to give someone a tour of the house. "Hey how ya doin' let me show you around".  And he went from room to room telling this person stories about the stuff in the room. But. he was alone. Nobody was with him. He does this kind of stuff all the time.  But the main problem is the anger. It comes out of nowhere. This morning he wanted to cook some bacon. ok no problem. I asked him 4 times if he wanted help with it. He insisted he did not. So i go sit at the table. two mins later he comes over with the bacon, throws the plate of bacon at me and calls me an *** for just sitting there. What the heck? A few days ago he did something similar to the dog.  He tried to give the dog a biscuit. The dog clearly didn't want it. So he shoves the treat in the dog's face and says "Take it you stupid asshole" and then kicks the dog. The people next door just put their house up for sale. He's now looking for ways "to get even" with them as he says. He says "he can't believe someone would do that. That's very rude". So he wants to "get even" he says. Why would a person act like this? It's clearly not normal. Is it just old age? Or should we worry?

garry · Answer

could be alzhimers or it could be you , after all young people dont think , do you ...amazing how paintent he is not killing you yet ..

Christin K · Answer

Yes you should worry!! Get this poor man to a doctor for a diagnosis!! He may be suffering from dementia, schizophrenia, psychosis--a HUGE number of problems!! Why would you think this is just "old age?"  Take him to a doctor immediately!

Judy and Charlie · Answer

You don't say how old he is.
You also don't say why he "cannot take care of himself" now that his wife has died.

What you do list are the following psychiatric symptoms:

1)  Talking to self when no one is having a conversation with him.
2)  Taking imaginary people on imaginary tours of the house.
3)  Explosive and inappropriate anger.
4)  Abuse of animals.  (Yes, kicking the dog was abuse.)
5)  Delusional thinking about the neighbors and that their choice to move is a slight against him somehow.  Threatening to "get even".

No.  None of this behavior is "normal".
Your grandfather needs a medical check up from his family doctor and if he is on any medication, he needs a medication review.  YOU AND YOUR FAMILY need to document his behavior for the doctor and make sure the doctor reads your documentation at the exam.

The doctor can run more tests and lab work to rule out Alzheimer's Disease or any other kind of dementia he has and also prescribe medications to treat it.

Lynnmarie · Answer

It's dementia. Call a doctor and tell him/her what's going on.  They can advise you.  If I were you, I would get him out of the house and into a safe facility before he kills someone or the dog.

A Hunch · Answer

Neurological decline.
The issue is you don't know if it's physical or from the pandemic and loneliness.
If he doesn't get out, that can be a big cause.

Courtesyclerkgirl93 · Answer

That definitely sounds like dementia. People with dementia will have angry outbursts often as well as hallucinations such as seeing or hearing  people or things that aren't there or having delusions like people are out to get them. Seeing as he's a very elderly man, my educated guess is Alzheimer's. I'd take him to the doctor as soon as you can.

Anonymous · Answer

Since you seem unwilling to get him the professional help he needs, you should put him in a home.

Tarkarri · Answer

He may have a form of dementia.  He needs a complete physical and assessment by his doctor.

? · Answer

Change his diet to a healthy one with mostly fruits and vegetables.  Take him to a pastor to get prayed over to be healed/ cured.

What would cause this erratic behavior in an elderly person?

9 Answers