3:00-4:00 p.m

99-H. Assessing “Challenging Behaviors” to Identify Unmet Needs

Are you having a bad day? If you lived in a nursing home, you might be labeled as a difficult, combative, or unpredictable resident who exhibits "challenging behaviors." This session will highlight how the Vermont Veterans Home works to eliminate negative labels by helping team members embody compassion, curiosity, and empathy when interacting with residents. Presenters will describe how the community proactively assesses what a resident's actions communicate about their unmet needs so team members can take a strengths-based approach to improving that person's quality of life. Discover how language influences staff perceptions of residents, how behaviors communicate unmet needs, and how to eliminate negative labels in your organization.

• Aisling Taft, Social Worker, Vermont Veterans' Home — Bennington, VT, US
• Christina Cosgrove, Director of Social Services, Vermont Veterans' Home — Bennington, VT, US