Course Description:

This course is designed to help clinicians and direct caregivers better understand why the person they are trying to help frequently exhibits what are seen as difficult or challenging behaviors that make care assistance problematic or even impossible to deliver. The first part of the session will help caregivers more accurately understand many of the commonly occurring ‘behaviors’ they are experiencing with the person they are trying to help. The next part of the session will focus on looking beyond the disease to look for other possible factors that may be causing or contributing to the challenging behavior. Key factors such as life-long personality traits and life experiences and preferences, environmental conditions and cues, other medical, sensory, or psychological conditions, the structure and flow of the day, and caregiver skills and approaches will be discussed with some selected examples demonstrated via role play. Finally, a problem-solving approach will be presented to help learners reduce the intensity, frequency, or occurrence of challenging behaviors as well as guidance in determining “Is it Worth It?” and “Letting It Go!” for healthier relationships and better outcomes.