How to Stay Safe and Keep your Clients Safe when working with Distressed Behaviours

Our client for this ongoing training Safe Caring support package is a mid-sized care provider based in the south of England.  The organisation has multiple sites and supports individuals facing the challenges of living with dementia day-to-day, offering reassurance, support and flexibility.  

Our most recent Managing Distressed Behaviour In Dementia Care training engagement with this long-standing client was to support the staff in their dementia unit with strategies and tactics which help them to better understand and manage the potential flashpoints of their work with people who have dementia.   The management team at the home feel that, despite careful planning of care and environmental triggers, some residents can be unpredictable and exhibit distressed behaviours when staff are assisting them with the tasks of daily living.

We are increasingly deploying a specialised methodology of practice-based training delivery in our care-home work with Managing Distressed Behaviour In Dementia Care.  The training begins with an analysis of specific work tasks where conflict sometimes arises and then draws the staff on an explorative investigation of the contact points and decisions made which effect the outcomes in the situation.   This includes analysis of initial approach, management of proximity and positioning, the use of subtle body-language signals and verbal cues, pacing of the activity and other “non-escalation” components.  (watch our video on Bathing Without the Battle on Vimeo as an example)

The Managing Distressed Behaviour In Dementia Care course then continues with solutions for scenarios where the distressed behaviour progress into escalating aggression and even violence.  Our training then includes the various options staff might have to withdraw and seek assistance, or in some exceptional circumstances to engage – with their team – in last-resort physical interventions (often called Safe Holding) which create greater safety in out-of-control situations.

The Managing Distressed Behaviour In Dementia Care training garnered very positive feedback.  Here’s a selection of the comments we received:

“Very interesting and easy to understand, it was also relaxed which made it very comfortable.” – Carer Dementia Unit.

“Lovely not having power points – excellent scenarios and competent delivery. Fantastic trainer with good course content” – Nurse RGN, Dementia Unit

“Dynamic and interactive course, very pleasant trainer. – Health Care Assistant, Dementia Unit

“Trainer made the practice fun and I learned a lot.Perfect course – many thanks” – Carer, Dementia Unit