Raindance Occupational Therapy

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 and don’t argue as that will ruin the happy mood that you worked on creating.  These strategies can work with almost anyone in our life and fit well with Positive Behavior Supports.

 

Reference:

Hodges, MD, MPH, Marian O.

Hill, JD, Anne P.

(2014) Book. Portland, OR: Providence Health and Services- Oregon

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 anyone who happens to be passing by your way,

And a little bit of thoughtfulness that shows someone you care

Creates a ray of sunshine for both of you to share-

Yes, every time you offer someone a helping hand,

Every time you show a friend you care and understand,

Every time you have a kind and gentle word to give,

You help someone to find beauty in this precious life we live,

For happiness brings happiness, and loving ways bring love,

And giving is the treasure that contentment is made of.

Amanda Bradley

Burnout is common.  And, with this it becomes more and more difficult to be positive to support the ones we love.  Let behavior be communication to you that he or she is not feeling the love.  Take time to sit down, give your eye contact and your attention  and listen to what is important to them.  It may not be the most sophisticated or interesting topic to you but I promise that you will learn something.   Use positive voice tone, give them choices appropriate to their cognitive level, support their interests and self-esteem.  Treat them with all the respect that you would treat your best friend.  Watch how things change for the whole family.

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  starting adult life with a day program or starting with a Personal Support Worker.  It could come from watching friends on Facebook hit adult milestones knowing that those things are challenging.