Dementia: Therapist's Guide to Behavioral Management

Presented by Carrie Ciro

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Video Runtime: 103 Minutes

In this course, the participant will receive a broad overview of behavior, a rationale for structuring treatment to avoid negative behaviors and a review of the evidence related to emerging behavioral management therapies. Dr. Carrie Ciro introduces Sensory Processing Theory as a way of interpreting and supporting daily behaviors. Dr. Ciro discusses the impact of meaningful routines as preventative to negative behaviors and provides structure for how to create routines. A variety of popular behavioral management techniques such as Snoezelen, massage, music, aromatherapy and environmental modifications are defined with best practice use recommended.

Meet your instructor

Carrie Ciro

Dr. Carrie Ciro is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. She has over 20 years of clinical experience working with adults/older adults in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing, home health, and hospital care. Additionally, she has 20 years of…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Overview of Behavior

1. Overview of Behavior

In the first chapter of this course, Dr. Carrie Ciro identifies how environmental press may underlie negative and positive behavior in people with dementia. She discusses how rehabilitation therapists can address triggers to negative behaviors in people with dementia.

Matching the Sensory Environment to Sensory Processing Style

2. Matching the Sensory Environment to Sensory Processing Style

Dr. Ciro describes the application of the Sensory Processing Theory to people with dementia. Participants will learn to differentiate the four categories of sensory processing and apply them to specific behaviors in dementia.

Maximizing Performance in Meaningful Activity

3. Maximizing Performance in Meaningful Activity

In this chapter, Dr. Ciro describes the relationship between negative behavior and loss of ability to perform meaningful activities. Participants will consider how to gather goals for meaningful activities and review features of rehab training that are successful in improving performance in meaningful activity.

Tailored Activity Programs

4. Tailored Activity Programs

Participants will learn the concept of Tailored Activity Programs and the outcomes of using them with people with dementia. Dr. Ciro guides the participant in the development of a Tailored Activity Program for a case example informed by Sensory Processing Theory.

Snoezelen Environments

5. Snoezelen Environments

In this chapter, Dr. Ciro defines the concept of a Snoezelen room in a facility or home-based environment. Participants will study the evidence for reducing negative behavior or increasing positive behavior. Dr Ciro provides best practice guidelines for a case example informed by Sensory Processing Theory.

Alternative Therapies to Decrease Agitation

6. Alternative Therapies to Decrease Agitation

Dr. Ciro defines alternative therapies to reduce agitation or negative behavior, such as aromatherapy, music therapy and massage. Participants will compare and contrast the evidence for each therapy. Participants will consider best practice guidelines for a case informed by Sensory Processing Theory.

Environmental Modification  to Decrease Agitation

7. Environmental Modification to Decrease Agitation

This chapter highlights simple and system-based environmental modifications that may decrease negative behaviors and increase positive moods. Dr. Ciro provides best practice guidelines for use of these modifications informed by Sensory Processing Theory where applicable.