Assisted Living & Behavioral Health
70th AHCA/NCAL Convention and Expo
Susan Wehry, MD, PLC
Chief of Geriatrics
University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of New England College of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to Disclose
Few topics in long term care have received as much attention as so-called “challenging behaviors,” particularly in persons with dementia. Terms used to capture challenging behaviors (such as agitated, disruptive, aggressive, and resistive) lack agreed-upon meanings but tend to be pejorative, are often used interchangeably, and commonly trigger off-label use of antipsychotics. This session, taken from the evidence-based Oasis 2.0 curriculum, provides a unique way for staff to think about—and respond appropriately to—residents’ agitation and aggression that will reduce both their own stress and the residents’ distress, without the use of drugs.