Understanding ‘Behaviors’ as an Unmet Need for Those Living With Cognitive Impairment
Those living with dementia experience neurological changes that occur within their brain altering their ability to communicate in the same ways they used to. Our world does not create environments that enable better communication for those living with cognitive impairment in the same way it does for those living with physical disabilities; under these conditions, so-called behaviors can manifest.
As leaders, there is a moral imperative to train staff on methods to better understand those living with brain disease and ways to understand their new methods of communication lest we risk staff turning to the medicine cabinet or isolating these individuals when ‘behaviors’ arise. In this full day program participants will:
Understand the neuroscience behind brain changes in those living with cognitive impairment
Using person-centered practices utilize new methods for understanding and interacting with those living with cognitive impairment
Using Feil, Maslow, Kitwood and Eden® principles, provide insight into reason(s) why so-called behaviors may manifest and what the person may be trying to tell us
Richard Taylor Ph.D., lived with the diagnosis of dementia, probably of the Alzheimer’s type. His purpose in life shifted from academia to one of a global change agent when he began to write and publicly speak about what it was like living with the condition and how people began treating him differently because of this label. While Richard has completed his earthly race, his books continue to change the hearts and minds of people all over the globe. Richard was a wonderful soul, mentor and friend.
