Try: Try to have cr rest or have quiet periods for up to two times a day at the same time if cr naps avoid letting him her get in his her bed under the covers let him her rest in an easy chair or on top of the bed physical exercise is appropriate during the day but prepare short activities with calm periods caffeine should be avoided if cr wakes confused at night increase rest during the day

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: management of agitation behavior by rich o’boyle 2000 available at www ec-online net

Keywords: Confused agitated naps rest

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Provide cr with a safe place where s he can store items and you can retrieve them try giving cr a canvas shopping bag

Materials: Canvas shopping bag

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: management of agitation behavior by rich o’boyle 2000 available at www ec-online net

Keywords: Hoarding rearranges objects

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: When the behavior starts try redirecting the conversation or redirect the cr to another area away from the situation don’t get angry or scold the cr because this could elevate the situation instead remain calm and allow the cr to vent the frustration and or anger to validate feelings try to pinpoint something that you can use as a focal point for example a positive memory or favorite possession ask the cr to discuss the focal point and expand on it to help calm the situation speak slowly and softly and be positive and reassuring don’t try to reason with the cr or offer lengthy explanations of why the behavior was uncalled for this may cause more confusion and distress in some cases the cr may have already forgotten what the inappropriate behavior was or why it was done

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Compulsive behavior

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Avoid scolding cr or getting upset everytime he she does this this activity probably provides some cognitive stimulation for cr which certainly can’t hurt at least cr is using his her mind and cognitive skills in some way look at it as a time when you can get other things done or enjoy an activity if rearranging things keeps cr busy suggest this activity when cr is angry or doing something he she shouldn’t do

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: using validation therapy to manage difficult behaviors by jan allen no date available at www alzwell com

Keywords: Challenging behavior agitated bored upset wandering wants to go home

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Distract cr by starting a conversation to try to change the subject and get cr doing something else here’s an example cr i have to find my car keys you your car keys don’t tell cr he she hasn’t had a car and hasn’t driven for years cr yes i need to get home – lot lot’s of work to do you know you you are busy today don’t tell cr he she isn’t going home for hours cr hell yes i’m busy every day girlee you you like being busy try to find a topic of conversation that cr might accept discussing cr what planet do you live on i didn’t say i liked it i just have to work – like most of the rest of the world ya know cr cr’s getting a little frustrated but seems to have forgotten the keys you i know about work cr’s name i do some of that myself in fact i’m getting ready to fix some lunch for us care to join me cr lunch huh what are you having

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: using validation therapy to manage difficult behaviors by jan allen no date available at www alzwell com

Keywords: Wants to leave car keys wants to drive agitated frustration driving diverting attention challenging behavior

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Avoid confrontation if the behavior deals with disrobing offer brightly clothes which make cr feel good try not to if cr becomes too agitated change the subject object to something completely different reduce stimulation lower lighting reduce noise radio tv to soothing music minimize items in the area to a few possessions known to crn and avoid clutter promote familiar objects pictures walk slowly with cr to reduce anxiety stress and muscle tension

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Behavior inappropriate responses acts out challenging behavior anger angry upset over stimulated tension stress anxiety confused confusion

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Provide adequate meals snacks to minimize hunger have a regular toileting schedule to minimize incontinence make sure there are frequent position changes if bedridden or in a chair lower stress in the environment minimize the noise and avoid over stimulation approach cr with a soft soothing voice call cr by name and identify yourself explain in short simple sentences what the care giver cg is doing or going to do with cr break tasks into short steps briefly explaining each one try massage stroking cr cr’s hands arms or head

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Verbal outbursts yells yelling challenging behavior stress communication

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Protect yourself try to remain calm distract cr by talking about something else offering a favorite food or a different activity if cr is unable to be controlled or redirected remove yourself from the room and get help in handling the situation

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Angry catastrophe stress violent challenging behavior outbursts

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Allow cr to wander if the environment is safe and secure place familiar objects furniture and pictures in surroundings help direct cr with clearly marked rooms using name plaques pictures or a decorated door remove items that trigger cr’s desire to go out such as shoes coat purse keys etc try locks on doors that are out of reach or sight install slide bolts on top or bottom of outside door distract cr with food activity or conversation place night lights throughout the home consider using a beanbag chair for sitting and resting they are comfortable yet difficult to get out of without assistance provide cr with some type of identification such as medic-alert bracelet labels sewn into clothing emergency cards in wallets purse or pocket

Materials: Slide bolt door locks night lights beanbag chair id bracelet wallet sized id cards clothing labels

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Wayfinding wandering wanders off distracted distractions wants to go home wants to leave home safety challenging behavior disoriented disorientation

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Go for a walk or a drive getting out even for a short time is helpful upon returning home cr often recognizes it as home respond to the emotion being expressed for example are you feeling scared or i know you are lonely offer reassurance look at photo album with pictures of cr cr’s childhood reminiscing about the past may ease tension and anxiety try redirecting cr cr’s attention with an activity food music a walk or other exercise

Materials: Family photo albums

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Wandering wanders wants to go home wants to leave distracted distractions challenging behavior disoriented disorientation

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed