Dementia Care III: Understanding and Managing Difficult Behaviors (0.5 CE for Nursing Home Administrators)

05-06-2019 10:11 AM

Course Description

Understanding what triggers certain behaviors in a resident with dementia will help you understand and address the behaviors in a positive way. In some cases, it may even allow you to prevent it from occurring. It is also important to remember that disruptive or unusual behavior may be a resident's way of trying to reach out to you—to tell you something that they cannot express verbally. 

This course provides an understanding of why difficult behaviors may occur in residents with dementia and what can be done to manage them. The purpose of this course is to identify common triggers of difficult behaviors in residents with dementia and provide examples of strategies caregivers can use to manage these behaviors in positive ways.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the learner will be able to:

  • Give three examples of how dementia contributes to personality and behavior changes 

  • Define difficult behavior and give three examples 

  • Define triggers and give three examples 

  • Describe four actions you can take to manage and calm an agitated resident 

  • Give four examples of distracting or redirecting 

  • Give four examples of communication tips 

  • Explain why reporting difficult behavior is important

Intended Audience

This educational activity was developed for nursing home administrators and healthcare staff.

CE Information

This educational offering has been reviewed by the National Continuing Education Review Service (NCERS) of the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) and approved for clock hours. Valid for Nursing Home Administrator CE.

Course Authors

This course was developed by Medcom, Inc. and edited by Brenda Kozak, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE.

Brenda has over 20 years of clinical experience in nursing practice and is a certified nurse educator. She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice along with a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on education.

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