Rosewood Heights Health Center

Journey with Friends: A Person Centered Approach to Dementia Care

Through an intensive training program the goals of this program included the enhancement of the psychosocial care of the dementia resident. Through appropriate training, the staff was able to modify behaviors by utilizing behavior modification skills, thereby reducing the use of physical or chemical restraints. Families were also involved in the training process, as the program was modified to their loved ones needs.

This program provided to staff and families the skills and tools for engaging in positive, productive, interactions with the dementia resident. The primary focus was a person-centered program, rather than task centered.

Goal: Enhance psychosocial care of residents with dementia; reduce use of psychotropic drugs; and improve work environment for staff.