14121 Management of Adverse Behaviors in Dementia Clients

Course overview

Experts say there are 50 million people worldwide who have dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases every year. This program focuses on the management of adverse behaviors in clients with dementia. It begins with common cognitive characteristics or deficits seen in people with dementia, and what a skilled therapist can do to help. The speaker uses the Information Processing Model to explain how dementia clients process information. You will also learn the importance of creating an environment to manage adverse behaviors, including sensory experiences, as well as the importance of using the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) to help manage behaviors. When discussing dementia care challenges, the speaker talks about common triggers for certain behaviors and how to assess them. When discussing solution ideas, the speaker focuses on the importance of the environment, occupational engagement, and personal characteristics, and how to influence behaviors. The program also focuses on possible risks associated with adverse behaviors and evidence-based interventions for clients exhibiting such behaviors as aggression and agitation, physical and verbal disruptive, avoidance and resistances, perseveration, hypersexuality, hyperoral, and hallucinations and delusion. It also mentions exit-seekers and ideas to decrease exit-seeking. The program also discusses the importance of staff and caregiver education, and how to approach a person with dementia. It also gives ideas for other occupational engagement, including meaningful and functional activities such as activity buckets and interactive stations.