Hello everyone, Today we are going tackle the first part of DICE, a tool you can use to assess and manage behavior change in people with dementia. DICE stands for: Describe the behavior Investigate the influence of things like cognitive status, environment, caregiver approach, physical/medical disorders, and psychiatric symptoms Create a plan Evaluate if it works (Kales, Gitlin, Lyketsos, 2014, […]
Author: Julie L. Murphy
Delayed onset PTSD
Hello everyone, This weekend, as we honor the sacrifices of the thousands of soldiers killed in wars fought on behalf of our country, we are also reminded of the living soldiers who must still deal with the aftermath of battle, many of whom suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. In a review published last […]
Aggression….or something else?
Hello everyone, Aggression is a common behavioral symptom of distress in people with dementia. As you try to determine what may be causing aggression, take note of the context of the aggressive behavior. In some cases, the aggression may actually be resistance to care. For example, is the person trying to hit or scratch a […]
How to Respond to What’s NOT There…
Hello everyone, Many people with dementia (Lewy Body, Parkinson’s dementia and sometimes Alzheimer’s disease & other dementias) experience hallucinations, usually in the middle to later stages of the disease. DailyCaring.com has a great article this week with 10 ways to respond when someone is experiencing dementia hallucinations. We encourage you to follow the link below […]
Breaking Down Language Barriers
Hello everyone, If you’ve ever traveled to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you know how difficult it can be to get directions to a museum or order a meal. Imagine how frightening and depressing it would if everyone around you spoke a different language, but instead of being on vacation, you […]
Short Videos Provide Practical Tips for Staff
Hello everyone, As you continue to work with the “Champions” at your care communities, we encourage you to show them these brief videos from the Function Focused Care website: http://www.functionfocusedcare.org/videocoaching The six videos offer practical tips on how to engage residents with cognitive impairment and help them perform activities of daily living, which is when challenging […]
Never Give Up…EVERYONE Can Find Something They Enjoy
Hello everyone, How often do we see a group of residents participating in a recreational activity, but notice that at least a few of them are left out? Sitting in the corner looking on? Often, these more “challenging” residents are the people who most need to be active and engaged in activity so they avoid […]
Are Your Policies Helping or Hindering?
Hello everyone, Policies are certainly a necessity in community care environments, but sometimes they can have unintended consequences. For example, is it your community’s policy (either written or unwritten) to have all exercise and activity items locked away when not being used during a scheduled activity so they aren’t “misplaced” by residents? While safety and […]
Small Steps Lead to Steady Success
Hello everyone, 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. Attempting to take on too much, too quickly can result in frustration or a feeling of being overwhelmed. When it comes to managing behavioral symptoms related to dementia, […]
Focus on Families
Hello Everyone, Educating family members of your residents about your efforts to reduce the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia through person centered behavioral approaches is critical. Family members can support staff and be a useful resource when exploring their loved ones’ preferences and determining what may motivate a resident to participate in his/her own […]