As you know by now, caregiving comes with many challenges. The list is long, but nothing compares to the unpredictable, mind-bending behaviors that catch you by surprise. These stress-inducing difficulties can pop up out of nowhere like an unhinged game of Whack-a-Mole. And, that’s where the ninja comes in.

One minute, everything is fine. The next? Your loved one is convinced you stole their purse, their teeth, and even their identity. Welcome to the front lines.

Why Is This Happening? (A Mental Health Deep Dive)

Before we dive into how to handle these behaviors, let’s talk about why they happen. And no, it’s not because your loved one has suddenly decided to drive you into early retirement.

Cognitive decline, dementia, medications, chronic pain, and emotional distress all rewire the brain. It’s like their internal processing system got an unwanted software update, and now they’re running on Windows 98 while the rest of us are trying to function in 2025. Logic? Gone. Short-term memory? What’s that? Reality? Optional.

Their brain is in survival mode, which means everything can feel threatening—bathing, taking medicine, even you trying to help them. They react in ways that don’t make sense to us. In their mind, they’re just trying to regain control over a world that no longer makes sense.

And guess who gets to be the emotional punching bag for all that confusion? Ding ding ding! It’s YOU.

The Top Difficult Behaviors (And How to Keep Your Sanity)

1. The Great Escape Artist

Behavior: They are determined to escape. This is from the house, the car, or just your well-meaning attempt to put on their socks.

What You Can Do:

• Lock doors, but don’t make it obvious. A simple “child-proof” door knob cover can work wonders.
• Give them safe places to roam, like a backyard or a secure area.
• If they’re convinced they need to “go home” (when they’re already home), distract and redirect instead of arguing. Try, “Let’s go in a little bit, but first, help me fold these towels.”

2. The Conspiracy Theorist

Behavior: They’re convinced you’re stealing from them, poisoning their food, or working for the CIA. And, maybe we are, but…it’s for their protection.

What You Can Do:

• Do not take it personally. Their reality is not the same as yours. Arguing won’t fix it, but validation and reassurance will help calm them.
• Keep duplicates of frequently “stolen” items (wallet, keys, glasses) so you can produce them “magically” when needed.
• Humor helps. If they accuse you of being a secret spy, lean in: “You got me! I was sent here to keep you safe because you’re the queen.”

3. The Professional Night Owl

Behavior: Sleep? Who needs sleep? Certainly not them—or you, apparently.

What You Can Do:

• Create a nighttime routine that is predictable and calming (dim lights, soothing music, warm tea). Talk to your doctor if they have sundowning behaviors – there are medications that can help.
• Consider using a bed exit alarm system, which features a pressure-sensitive pad that alerts you when your loved one attempts to get up. It can help prevent falls and wandering, providing both safety for them and peace of mind for you. There should always be one in your ninja tool kit.
• Motion sensors or door alarms can alert you if they start wandering at night.

4. The Bathing Boycotter

Behavior: They suddenly hate bathing, and getting them in the shower is like trying to bathe a cat. The reality is that there is fear involved somehow. Whether it is falling, being modest in front of you, or that it is painful on their skin. The rule of thumb is always – safety first.

What You Can Do:

• Skip the daily fight. They don’t need a full shower every day—warm washcloths and no-rinse bathing wipes are lifesavers.
• Warm up the bathroom first. Cold air can be jarring, and discomfort = resistance.
• Frame it as a spa experience. “Let’s have a relaxing warm shower” sounds way better than “You stink, get in there.” Prepare the room with soft lighting, warmth and even music.

5. The Verbal Sniper

Behavior: They insult, yell, and say things that cut deep—things they would never have said before.

What You Can Do:

• Detach emotionally. It’s the disease talking, not them. Imagine their brain is being hijacked and the words coming out aren’t really theirs.
• Change the subject. If they’re on a tear, try shifting focus: “I need help picking out an outfit” or “Let’s have some ice cream.”
• If they’re angry, let them vent. Sometimes, they just need to get it out. We cannot possibly imagine how it feels to be in their brain. Take a deep breath and ride the wave.

Final Words: You’re Not Failing, You’re Just Human

Difficult behaviors can make you feel like you’re failing. You’re not. You are navigating an impossible situation with no rulebook, no training, and no overtime pay. To make the situation more complex, every single person is different.

Some days, you’ll handle things like a caregiving ninja. Other days, you’ll lose your patience, lock yourself in the bathroom, and eat cookies while sobbing. Both are valid responses.

The key is picking your battles, finding humor where you can, and remembering that you’re doing your best. Because in the end, love is not measured by how perfect you are—it’s measured by how hard you keep showing up.

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Caregiver Hack of the Week:

“The Magic Distraction Box” – Keep a small bin of things that can quickly redirect their attention when a meltdown is brewing: an old photo album, a deck of cards, a fidget toy, or a snack. When tension rises, whip it out like a magician and boom—sudden focus shift. Works about 60% of the time, which in caregiving math is basically a miracle.

Keep going you caregiving ninja…you are amazing!