10: Reducing Behavioral Deficits

  • The best care for patients with progressive dementia (memory problems that worsen over time) focuses on the remaining abilities rather than on the ever-increasing disabilities.
  • Learn a few strategies for how to do this

Verbal Prompts

Verbal prompts are things we say or write that help patients perform a given task.

Please think of verbal prompts for using microwave.

Click here to show an example of verbal prompts for using a microwave.
  1. open door
  2. place coffee cup inside
  3. press 1
  4. press 2
  5. press 3
  6. press “start”
  7. open door after bell rings


Picture Prompts

Picture prompts are photographs or illustrations that increase the chances that the behavior will be carried out effectively.

Please think about how you would do picture prompts for a sock drawer

Please click here to show an example for “sock drawer.”


Modeling

Modeling involves:

  1. Demonstrating the correct behavior to the patient.
  2. The patient then imitates the behavior.
  3. A reinforcer or reward immediately follows correct performance.

The number of trials or opportunities to imitate the correct behavior depends on the patient.

Modeling works best with higher functioning patients who are in the early-to-middle stages of dementia.

Physical Guidance

Physical guidance involves physically assisting the person with the task.

Example: If the patient becomes upset, attend to their feelings and provide reassurance (e.g., “I’m here to help you”). Offer to take the patient where their favorite activity is.

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