title: Investigating the causes of behaviours that challenge in people with dementia.
abstract: Nurses are the main providers of care to older people and to people with dementia in a variety of settings, including acute hospitals. Behaviours that challenge in people with dementia, such as agitation, aggression and 'resistiveness', can best be understood as a form of communication based on a person's perceived and/or actual unmet need(s). This article explores ways of understanding behaviours that challenge and contains a composite case study of 'Frank', a person with severe dementia who has been admitted to an NHS inpatient mental health assessment ward. A three-step approach to investigate, formulate and personalise a range of interventions is shared (clue finding; motive identifying; and formulating, applying and evaluating interventions) together with ways of intervening in behaviours that challenge.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and University of Manchester.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keady
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing; D018802:Patient-Centered Care