Prevent and De-escalate Combative Behaviors in People Living with Dementia

200 One Nineteen Boulevard,Birmingham AL 35242

20 October, 2022

Description

1. Describe how different dementias increase risk for combative responses to care activities; 2. List 3 ways to easily alter the environment to minimize agitation that progresses to combativeness. 3. Explain how specific brain changes cause people living with dementia to mistake caring activities as assaults. 4. Describe 3 approaches to prevent care refusals and combativeness in a person living with dementia. 5. Describe 3 approaches to quickly de-escalate combative behaviors in the moment. 6. Explain which medication classes can help reduce irritability and combativeness without causing sedation and other related problems. Combative behavior increases the risk of injury to both the person living with dementia and the nurses and other staff working with these individuals. Many facilities have policies where residents who demonstrate combative behavior are automatically sent to the emergency department or to psychiatric facilities This workshop will provide practical, research-tested strategies to prevent and manage this behavior. Facilities can use this training to market themselves--and to distinguish themselves from others in the market--as providing a more dementia-friendly environment that is supportive and protective of the person living with dementia. Presenter: Rita Jablonski PhD, CRNP, FGSA, FAAN Professor of Nursing University of Alabama Birmingham