Determining
the Cause
In
many cases, behaviours have meaning -- the
challenge is to figure out the significance, so that
the behaviour can be managed, decreased or diverted.
Determining
the cause of behaviours can be divided into
three steps:
- Defining
the behaviour.
- Exploring
possible solutions.
- Deciding
on a course of action.
Defining
the behaviour
Before
you can deal with a situation, you have to be clear about
what the behaviour is. Take some time to think about
the behaviour and gather information.
Sometimes,
the behaviour is a problem for the caregiver. For example,
the repetitive singing of a song might not bother the
individual but may be irritating to the caregiver. In
this case, a course of action is necessary. On other
days, the caregiver may not see it as a problem.
When
determining the cause of a behaviour, focus your observations
on three things:
- Define
the behaviour. Determine whether the behaviour
is challenging or safe for the person. What happened?
How often does it happen?
- Determine
what happened just before the behaviour. Does
anything trigger the person's actions? Look for clues.
- Determine
what happened just after the behaviour occurred. Were
there any changes to the environment or the people
around her?
Exploring
possible solutions
Look
for solutions that meet the person's needs. Some needs,
like hunger, have clear solutions. Others, like feeling
scared, may require some thought. You may need to become
very creative and try many different solutions before
you get a good "fit."
Deciding
on a course of action
Assess
each solution -- and then, choose the right one. If it
doesn't work, try another. You may find that an action
that works one day may not work the next. It may work
again next week.
Record
the actions that have helped in your Personal Care
Book (available from your local
Alzheimer Society) or a journal -- they may help you or a substitute
caregiver in the future.
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