As the healthcare industry increasingly focuses on dementia care, insurance advisors are urging a shift from reactive to preventive strategies in managing related behavioral issues. A recent webinar highlighted the importance of this approach, emphasizing that what might appear as behavioral problems in dementia patients could actually be communication issues.
"Dementia affects how the brain works and, as a result, how a person responds to the world," explained experts during the discussion. Behavioral expressions such as shouting or refusing care may indicate underlying feelings of pain, fear, or frustration rather than aggression.
Recognizing and addressing these "triggers"—which can be internal like hunger or pain, or external like noise or temperature changes—is crucial for preventing incidents before they occur. This proactive strategy involves adjusting both environmental factors and caregiving methods.
The webinar underscored that unaddressed dementia-related behavior presents increasing challenges within senior care settings. A trauma-informed care approach combined with effective communication strategies is advocated to reduce risks, safeguard staff members, and enhance overall care quality.
Facility leaders, clinical directors, and risk managers were encouraged to engage with these insights by watching the full webinar replay for practical guidance on handling dementia-related behaviors. They are also invited to contact specialists for a review of their risk management practices concerning staff training programs and insurance coverage in behavioral health and dementia care.
The call to action is clear: turning insights into prevention can significantly contribute to safer caregiving environments for all involved parties.