Often the start of diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s can also see the start of aggressive behavior in your once pleasant and kind client.

If you notice a behavior change suddenly, this may be due to a UTI (urinary tract infection), so it is worth checking out before assuming it is due to a disease.

Dealing with swearing and rudeness

Assuming that your client is simply a rude person who verbally abuses people – and has gotten away with it for years, it is worth setting some ground rules when you first arrive.

The longer you leave this, the more they will assume that the way they treat you is ‘normal’ and accepted.

A direct conversation where you state that you will not tolerate bad language and verbal abuse, and definitely not in public, may go a long way to set things straight right from the start.

Sometimes your client may be unaware that their behavior is unacceptable to you and also offensive to others. You may try the ‘guilt placement’ by saying that the family would be appalled by bad language although this often does not work because family may be used to it.

After you have had your ‘conversation’ and when the bad language starts you may simply walk away, telling your client that you will return when they are prepared to speak without using bad language.

Try distraction

It is always worth a try to use any type of distraction to stop bad language. Ask a question, suggest a cup of tea, change the tv channel, anything to change the train of thought may work.

You may find that your client is happy to talk about old times and reminisce about the past and if so, this is a good way to ‘change the record’ of bad language.

It remains that the best way to respond to any behavior you do not like is simply to walk away. Remove yourself from the scene for a while, let your client calm down on their own and wait for it all to blow over.

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