Aiding staff in making care more person-centered

When we consider integrating changes to a philosophy of care it is important to remember that small, gradual changes can lead to more lasting success. A good analogy for this that many of us can relate to is dieting. We are more likely to change our eating habits for the long run if we make simple, practical changes to our diet instead of trying an extreme diet that is unrealistic and won’t last.  Attempting to take on too much, too quickly can result in frustration, feeling overwhelmed, and giving up on making any changes at all.

The same is true when it comes to managing behavioral symptoms related to dementia. Consider having nursing staff choose a few residents with less challenging behavioral symptoms to begin. We bet you can already think of a few residents to start with as you read this! Staff can hold weekly “huddles” to discuss ideas, challenges and successes they have had with these individual residents. This can help them build confidence in their abilities, foster teamwork, and create trust in the approach to care that we are encouraging.

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