Products | MAREP | University of Waterloo

Managing and Accommodating Responsive Behaviours in Dementia Care

MAREP in partnership with the Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants of Central South Ontario have produced a video vignette

series (available in both DVD and VHS) to illustrate ten of the most intense behaviours experienced by staff working in long-term care homes and provides formal care providers with practical strategies and interventions for managing those behaviours. The term “responsive” behaviour reflects a response to something negative, frustrating, or confusing in the resident’s environment. It places the reasons or triggers for challenging behaviours outside, rather than within, the individual, thereby recognizing that problems in the social or physical environment can be addressed and changed. The video highlights the following behaviours as identified by Cohen-Mansfield (2000): pacing and wandering, general restlessness and agitation, trying to get to a different place, grabbing onto people, constant requests for attention and help, complaining and whining, repetitive sentences and questions, cursing and verbal aggression, making strange noises, and screaming.

Additionally, the video features a segment on experts discussing various topics related to dementia care practices, including: person centred care, creativity and flexibility, family and meaningful relationships, leadership, communication, person-centred approach to validation therapy and reality orientation, care environment, assessment, planning intervention and evaluation, creative interventions, and non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.

Accompanying the video is a Resource Guide which leads the formal care provider through a series of exercises to enhance their understanding of responsive behaviours. This education tool is geared towards educating front-line staff in long-term care and can be delivered as a facilitated session or as a self-study tool.

This Managing and Accommodating Responsive Behaviours in Dementia Care project represents a collaborative effort between MAREP at the University of Waterloo and the Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants (PRCs) of Alzheimer Societies of Central South Ontario and has been funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.

For more information, contact Jessica Luh at jluh@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 36880. Please use either the printable order form (cheque payment only) or the online order form (credit card payment only) to place your order now.