Managing Behaviors without Antipsychotic Drugs

Hello everyone, We’ve shared tidbits before about the use of antipsychotic drugs to address the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, but this important issue is worth revisiting again. Dailycaring.com has a helpful article with tips on how to prevent and address some of the challenging behaviors of dementia like agitation and anxiety without the […]

Promoting Positive Interactions

Hello everyone, This week, we’d like to discuss how to approach a resident with challenging behaviors in a way that can result in more positive interactions between the caregiver and resident. For example, if a resident scratches, swears or tries to hit a nursing assistant while she is helping the resident with morning care, how […]

The Power of Laughter

Hello everyone, Think about the last time you had a really good laugh. A tears-flowing, belly-aching, almost-pee your pants laugh. Remember how you felt after that laugh? It should be no surprise then that a recent study found that exercise programs that included laughter as a core element benefited older adults. The study found “significant […]

Tips to Manage Sundowning

Hello everyone, “‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…” But perhaps, some your residents are? People with dementia often struggle with restlessness, agitation, irritability or confusion that can begin or worsen in late afternoon and early evening, and can continue into the night. Commonly […]

Congratulations!

Hello everyone, Timber Ridge in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania had a summer contest to recognize employees who used effective interventions to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The big winner was Kathleen Hunter! Congratulations Kathleen! We’ve attached a photo of her receiving her award. Kathleen is a CNA on the 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift. One of […]

Promoting Positive Interactions

Hello Everyone, In addition to the information we provided about inappropriate sexual behavior in last week’s tidbit, Dr. Elizabeth Galik, one of the investigators on our study, has written an article on this topic for Bottom Line Health. You can read it online here: https://bottomlineinc.com/health/memory/dementia-and-inappropriate-sexual-behavior This week, we’d like to discuss how to approach a […]