1. Responding to Challenging Situations
Developed by the:
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
and
Wisconsin Department of Health Services

2. Learning Points Recognize unmet needs of residents with dementia
Identify calming techniques to reduce stress
Apply person-centered approaches when responding to residents’ needs

3. Recognizing Unmet Needs
Index Card Activity: Think of a Challenging Situation
Reasons Behind the Behavior
Calming Techniques
Validation
Redirection

4. 10 Common Challenging Situations
ADLs
Mealtime
Bathing
Physical/Verbal
Aggression
Disruptive
Vocalizations
Anger & Agitation
Families
Sexual Responses
Wandering
Elopement

5. Person-Centered Approaches to Challenging Situations
Common Situations
Possible Unmet Needs
Person-Centered Approaches

6. Activity: Person-Centered Responses to Challenging Situations
Life Histories of 5 Residents
Examine a real-life example of a challenging situation
Identify the unmet needs expressed by the resident
Identify person-centered approaches the caregiver might use

7. Closing Activity: Index Card
Review your original statement
Can you identify the unmet need the resident was expressing?
Can you identify a person-centered approach to meeting that need?

8. Learning Points Review
Recognize unmet needs of residents with dementia
Identify calming techniques to reduce stress
Apply person-centered approaches when responding to residents’ needs

9. The Wisconsin Caregiver Project
developed by
The Wisconsin Caregiver Project
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Center for Career Development (CCDET)