I am a caregiver and daughter to my 93-year-old Mom who lives with me. How do I handle her angry tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants?

Mom throws a fit, I leave.

Arguing with someone who is not 'all there' any longer is like arguing with the cat. My mom will go to the mat over something she believes is the truth..or at least her variation on the truth.

It's not worth the stress.

Walk out of the room.

I assume your mom exhibits dementia symptoms. Are her requests absurd or can you acquiesce and give her what she's asking for most of the time? Maybe you can do a little "therapeutic fibbing" in saying why you can't do what she's asking for. Remember her reality is not your reality. By all means, don't try to be rational with your explanation or confrontational about her requests. That ain't gonna work. Most of the time, their reaction is in response to our own behavior.

Visit Teepa Snow videos on YouTube. She has a vast video library and covers issues dealing with anger.

Same way a parent would handle tantrums from their child. The roles have been reversed; you’re now the parent.

Could you describe your situation a bit more fully? E.g. how long your mother has been living in your house, what stage her dementia has reached, what sort of thing tends to trigger her outbursts, what options you've tried so far - all information is helpful!

Do you have any back-up in caring for her, or is it just you?