Reducing behavior problems by keeping the mood happy is discussed in the book, “Help Is Here: When someone you love has dementia” by Marian Hodges MD, MPH and Anne Hill, JD. Life will be easier for everyone if we can monitor and control our own mood to support someone else to stay in a happy mood.  “Happy people are easier to be around,” the book says.  And, it is easier to get them to do things that need to be done.  It suggests doing a fun activity to put the person in a good mood before doing an unpreferred activity.  Be mindful of the reality that they are coming from a ..read more

If you are troubled by the behavior of someone you love, ask yourself if you are treating them with all the respect that you would give your best friend.  They don’t need to earn your respect.  You treat them with respect first and their behavior will automatically improve.  This is Positive Behavior Supports.  Support them to behave well.  Consider the poem below from Amanda Bradley. Each Life Affects Another We may not always realize that everything we do Affects not only our lives but touches others, too. A single happy smile can always brighten up the day For anyon ..read more

A Positive Behavior Support Plan comes after an assessment. The assessment determines hypotheses as to what is causing the behavior.  A Consultant needs to be like a detective using knowledge and skills in psychology, health care and quality of life.  Behavior could be caused by feelings of low self-esteem, not being included in the family or not being treated like an adult.  Behaviors can come from discomfort of low lying chronic pain that the individual is unable to pinpoint, describe or express verbally.  Behavior can come from boredom when school is over and before &nbs ..read more