What are Repetitive Behaviours?

Dementia affects a person's ability to remember events that have happened in the recent past. Repetitive behaviours can include repeating a sound, a word, a question, or an action (for example, tapping fingers). The person with dementia may also become restless and pace around the room.

The person with dementia may be disoriented or confused and repetitive behaviour may be a way to comfort or soothe themselves. This could be particularly true when they are agitated or distressed and repetitive behaviour is a means to acquire comfort and control. Through words and actions, the person with dementia may also be expressing a specific concern, asking for help, or coping with frustration in the only way he or she knows.

The first step in managing repetitive behaviour is to try to understand why the person with dementia is doing the behaviour. For example, they may repeat the question, “When is my doctor’s appointment?” not because they want to know about the appointment but rather, they may be concerned about a particular health issue. Understanding the reason behind the behaviour will help you to manage it.

Possible Causes for the Behaviour

  • Depression, anxiety or pain sometimes result in repetitive behaviours (which may be a way to express their inability to cope with certain situations).
  • They do not understand what is happening
  • Possible side effects of medication (check with a doctor)
  • Inability to express other needs such as hunger or having to go to the bathroom
  • Trying to express an emotion
  • Separation from a loved one (causing repeat question of where person is)
  • Misinterpretation of sounds or sights, causing anxiety
  • They are not aware that they are repeating themselves.
  • They get stuck on one activity and are not able to move on to the next step.
  • Boredom
  • They are in a stressful environment.


Coping Strategies

  • Determine if the behaviour needs to be stopped. If it’s not causing any harm, it is possible for you to ignore it. However, remember to ignore the behaviour and not the person with dementia.
  • Listen carefully to the person with dementia, make eye contact with them and try to show them that you are concerned about their needs.
  • Do not remind the person with dementia that they have already asked the question.
  • Use touch to communicate instead of words.
  • Use memory aids (write notes, make signs, use large clocks, calendars, schedules).
  • Keep routines consistent.
  • Avoid getting angry, be patient; it may be difficult to do, but keep in mind that the person is not trying to annoy you on purpose, it is the behaviour that is.
  • Distract or redirect the person with dementia with another activity.
  • Reassure the person with dementia (often reassurance is what they seek). You can reassure them by addressing their feelings rather than their questions or actions.
  • Look for patterns in the behaviour (take note of the time of day, event, or people who trigger the behaviour). Identify the pattern, then remove the trigger.
  • Modify the environment based on the trigger (once you know what caused the behaviour, for example a tv show).
  • Pick up on other cues (such as non-verbal triggers in the environment).
  • Check with the person's doctor to be sure that medications are not the cause of some of the repetitive behaviours.
  • Watch for signs of fatigue (it increases sensitivity to stress and anxiety).
  • Have person with dementia do activities that require repetitive movements (walking, dusting, sanding, folding).
  • Keep instructions short and simple, speak in a calm and reassuring voice.
  • Play music, which can be calming for repetitive actions.
  • Allow yourself to take breaks.