Tips for Managing Behaviors

It is painful to see our loved ones experience confused and disoriented behaviors.  Because medication can have a limited or inconsistent impact, other approaches to supporting an elder with dementia are essential. 

•  Know the person’s biography.
  
  
• All behavior has meaning.  Be creative in searching for the meaning.  Knowing the biography helps with this.
  
  
• Everyone wants/needs to have purpose and contribute, to feel good about themselves regardless of their mental capacity.
  
  
• Connect, connect, connect.  Join them in the behavior if at all reasonable and possible.
  
  
• Enhance the behavior for them.  This involves finding the meaning of the behavior.
  
  
• Once you enhance it for them, they will begin to connect with you and are more likely to follow your lead.
  
  
• Lead them into something/place to which you want them to go.
  
  
• Thank them for getting you there to help them feel they have purpose and have contributed.