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Rachel 28th Sep 2018 Activities

Anyone have any ideas on what to do for residents verbally aggressive toward staff? They do not have any Dementia or health issue that would make them more aggressive. The family says she has been like this all their life. People in authority have talked to this person, with no effect. Thinking it is a power issue and we have tried give them things of importance to do. Any thoughts?

Linda 28th Sep 2018 Recreation Therapist

Rachael,Yes I have a similar situation, the person is more verbally aggressive within a group and it is a group activity that they love. However if I do this group activity 1;1 with this person they are affectionate, kind and their words are positive
Perhaps you will find that they can't handle the stimulation of the crowd and are being over stimulated, bringing on this aggressive behaviour
Try a couple of 1;1 tasks that use hands, the use of the fingers triggers an area of the brain that wards of depression. Linen folding, table napkin folding, setting tables
Have a try, good luck!

Molly 2nd Oct 2018 Activity Professional & Writer

Hey Rachel,

How are the staff taking it? It may be a good idea to check in with the caregivers - being yelled at (while sometimes happens) can really get under the skin of some caregivers, and it may be helpful to calm their frustrations with some validation.

Validation Therapy may work for the resident as well. Check out this article https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-build-positive-relationships-with-residents/5054/.

karen 2nd Oct 2018 Activities Officer

Hi
I have a garden area outside our facility. I have found taking a small group of residents outside in the fresh air, sunshine, they are calmer. They can listen to the birds, help plant new plants , water the garden or just enjoy morning tea. I enjoy reminiscing with them about their gardens or what they did outside at their place. Good luck !!

Cheers

Karen Hynds AO

Catalina M 2nd Oct 2018 Activity Director

SIMILAR SITUATION. HAND MASSAGES AND SMOOTH WORDS OF LOVE AND COMPASSION AND SOME KIND OF MEDITATION OR PRAYERS. IT HAS WORKED FOR ME.AND THEY WILL BE CALM AND SOMETIMES SMILING.

Susan 5th Oct 2018

On a one to one situation I would be tempted to ask why they feel they need to speak to me that way why are they upset in a very calm non aggressive way, a genuine query, had a similar incident with a resident myself and after asking the question was told it wasn't me but felt helpless and old. I did try hard to improve relationship did my level best to find things for her to do etc with this resident but she never changed only one in all the years who reduced me to tears I think because she made me feel helpless.

Linda 7th Oct 2018 Recreation Therapist

Perhaps the person is fearful pf losing their independence
or

Sounds like it is a learned skill!
Perhaps that was the way family spoke to each other in the home

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