5 replies to this topic

[Bobbie]

Has anyone got ideas on how to overcome the agressive nature of those within our care, who become frustrated and hit out? What do you do in respect to activities and how do you stop them wandering and causing anxiety for the others within our group? :roll:

[Diana]

Hi Bobbie - we have a resident that is MR and has been aggressive her whole life, mostly towards men. She not only lashes out to them, but also begins hitting herself and pulling her hair when certain men come around - those in particular who tease her. When she's particularly aggressive, but needs activities, I place her at a different table and distract her attention. This works great for her. She still enjoys the activity, and yet if she hits out (don't worry, it's all careplanned) then there is no one in her way to hit.

I have had some men who hit at anything in their path no matter what - I just pay close attention and clear the way. Offering music or other sensory objects that have been of previous interest in their lives helps. I have also heard that they may be people who had spent the majority of their time outdoors and being indoors 24/7 is too much. So even 1/2 an hour a day gives them their "fix" and their behaviors decrease.

For us, it's more like a puzzle to fit all the pieces, contacting family with detailed past interests - but do remember, you may come across those that can't be comforted. Best thing is to keep those who can't defend themselves out of harm's way.

[aharrison1]

I have several men/women that are aggressive verbally and physically. I have found that besides the normal diversional activities (folding clothes, pipe construction)...legos are a wonderful tool, it gives them something to construct, they are colorful, and if they are set in a quite setting it works wonders. Also, i'm a firm believer in food, rootbeer floats are a great diversional tactic. Some do well helping sort papers, folding letters, stuffing envelopes, many times it's the "helping someone else out" that changes the aggression.
But, getting to know the "old" person...their habits, likes/dislikes...often times a person's mentality changes if they have dementia/alzheimers/etc. Good luck. Hope this helps!

[joanbanks86]

Bobbie, on Nov 8 2004, 09:55 AM, said:

Has anyone got ideas on how to overcome the agressive nature of those within our care, who become frustrated and hit out? What do you do in respect to activities and how do you stop them wandering and causing anxiety for the others within our group? :roll:

you can remove the resident from the group so that others will not become upset. forthe hitting i often times keep an object of some type in the residents hand to keep to busy with that

[spartans]

Be sure to have behaviors and your actions care planned. If we have someone upsetting the rest in an activity, another staff person will take them back to their room. After the activity, I go to the room to see if there was a reason for the disturbance.
If the behavior continues or gets worse, do you have a counselor from the community that could talk to the resident. Document what happened and what response was.

We have had exit seekers. Care plans are usually held giving the familiy notice and a list of lock down facilities. Each time the resident would try to leave, her family was notified.
One of our interventions was to be aware of where we place her.

Good luck.

[doublehelix]

spartans, on Jun 21 2008, 05:56 PM, said:

Be sure to have behaviors and your actions care planned. If we have someone upsetting the rest in an activity, another staff person will take them back to their room. After the activity, I go to the room to see if there was a reason for the disturbance.
If the behavior continues or gets worse, do you have a counselor from the community that could talk to the resident. Document what happened and what response was.

We have had exit seekers. Care plans are usually held giving the familiy notice and a list of lock down facilities. Each time the resident would try to leave, her family was notified.
One of our interventions was to be aware of where we place her.

Good luck.

I have exit seekers too, as do all of us I would guess. One fellow I have helps me deliver the mail, take notes for me at meetings, delivers the newspapers etc. Of course he isn't really delivering anything or taking notes but HE believes he is for five or ten minutes and that makes all the difference when your trying to get him back to his area. Staff make a big deal of his "delivery", wave at him and greet him as we go by and it always seems to calm him down and tire him out.
We have some that are yellers, some that demand to go to the bathroom as your bringing them out of the lavatory and some that hit the doors Evey night as it gets dark thinking they gotta go home. Diversions like a hot cup of coffee while they wait for the bus, soothing music via headphones or getting out the old home photo album seems to help with them-- for a few minutes anyway.