Persons with Dementia: Skills for Addressing Challenging Behaviors

This paragraph introduces the VA's training program aimed at caregivers for Veterans with dementia. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a positive approach to engage with Veterans and address their needs. The scenario presents a contrast between a counterproductive method and a preferred positive approach, highlighting the significance of systematic cueing, visual and verbal cues, and the use of tactile cues only when necessary. The goal is to honor Veterans and improve their quality of life during the later years, turning grooming tasks into a source of pleasure rather than a hassle.

This paragraph discusses the use of visual cues in dementia care, which are typically easier for Veterans to process than verbal cues. It describes how Angela, a staff member, uses hand-under-hand technique to guide the Veteran to a familiar place for grooming and how this technique is applied to engage the Veteran. The paragraph also emphasizes the importance of positive feedback to keep the Veteran involved in the process. The key message is that proper approach and cueing can significantly affect the Veteran's experience and cooperation.

This paragraph outlines the techniques for properly engaging with Veterans with dementia. It explains the importance of starting from a distance, using open palms, and approaching slowly to avoid startling the Veteran. The paragraph details the process of connecting on a supportive level, offering minimal assistance, and using fewer words to accommodate cognitive limitations. It also highlights the significance of using the Veteran's preferred name and providing simple choices to encourage participation in activities, thus promoting a positive and respectful interaction.

This paragraph focuses on the hand-under-hand technique as a method to improve the eating experience for Veterans with dementia. It explains how to adapt to the Veteran's physical condition and provides guidance on how to use this technique effectively. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of assessing the Veteran's abilities with each encounter and using simple questions and directions to determine the level of support needed. It also illustrates how this technique can help the Veteran become more engaged in eating, enhancing their overall experience.

This paragraph illustrates how to handle situations where a Veteran with dementia becomes distressed and agitated. It shows the importance of showing concern, doing detective work to understand the underlying problem, and maintaining a positive attitude to offer help. The paragraph describes how using positive physical approach skills and the hand-under-hand technique can guide the Veteran to a familiar and reassuring activity, allowing for a connection without confrontation. It also highlights the value of engaging the Veteran with positive verbal interactions to redirect them to a less distressing topic and turn a potentially negative situation into a gratifying outcome.

This paragraph addresses the handling of distress in group settings among Veterans with dementia. It emphasizes the importance of attending to the distressed Veteran away from the group to avoid further escalation. The paragraph outlines the steps to take, including getting additional help, showing concern, and figuring out the problem through detective work. It also demonstrates how to provide the Veteran with an opportunity to move away from an overly stimulating environment and how to use positive verbal and physical approaches to establish a connection and address the underlying issue. The goal is to transform a challenging group situation into a positive outcome and ensure excellent care for the Veterans.