Care Show’s Session Spotlight: ‘The behavioural revolution: creating cultural change in person centred dementia care’

This month’s session highlight will shine a spotlight on a presentation from Dr Emma Williams in our People, Workforce & Wellbeing Theatre at Care Show London 2024.

Dr Emma Williams is a UKBA (Cert) and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who specialises in using behavioural sciences to support people living with dementia and provide training to caregivers. Emma has over 20 years of experience working with adults who have learning disabilities and older adults with dementia and is committed to providing high quality, evidenced based care for people in need.

Dr Williams gained her PhD in counter terrorism with a focus on using behaviour-analytic approaches and techniques in diverse areas. She has publications about her clinical work in behaviour analytic journals and has presented at multiple conferences.

At Care Show London 2024, Dr Emma Williams led a session on creating cultural changes within person-centred dementia care. She focused on the challenges faced by care homes in managing distressed behaviours in residents with dementia and emphasised the importance of behavioural analysis in creating effective and individualised care plans. She described how this approach aims to improve the quality of life for both residents and caregivers by addressing the root causes of distressed behaviours through detailed assessments and tailored interventions.

Common challenges in dementia care

Dr Williams began by highlighting a typical scenario in care homes where a resident with dementia, referred to as "John," begins to display increasingly distressed behaviours. Care staff may try various strategies and even seek medication adjustments, but often these measures fail to resolve the issue. This can lead to staff burnout and, in extreme cases, the consideration of eviction notices for the resident. The underlying problem is suggested to be the lack of effective, individualised strategies to address the specific needs of residents with dementia.

The role of behavioural analysis

Dr Williams introduced the concept of behavioural analysis as a solution to the challenges described. Behaviour analysts conduct in-depth, personalised assessments to identify the reasons behind a resident's distressed behaviour and create tailored plans to prevent such behaviours. These plans are not generic, but specific to the individual, considering their unique needs and preferences. The role of the behaviour analyst also includes ensuring that the care staff are competent and confident in implementing the plan, thereby reducing the likelihood of distressed behaviours recurring.

Positive impact of behavioural interventions

Dr Williams provided examples of the effectiveness of this approach, including a case where a resident who blocked corridors during emergencies was taught, through careful behavioural interventions, to cooperate with staff during such situations. Another case involved a resident who had refused to shower for weeks; through careful observation and environmental adjustments, the resident resumed daily showers, thereby improving her quality of life and reducing care needs.

Addressing the gap in dementia care services

Dr Williams noted that there are only around 500 behaviour analysts in the UK, with very few specialising in dementia care. Historically, funding and resources have been directed towards populations such as those with autism or learning disabilities, leaving a significant gap in dementia care services. Dr Williams and her colleague, Dr Zoe Lucock, co-founded Positive Aging Consultancy & Training to address this gap by providing behavioural analysis services tailored to the needs of older adults with dementia.

Training and cultural change

Significant emphasis was place on the importance of training care staff in implementing behavioural techniques. She discussed the development of a behavioural toolkit for carers, designed to be practical and accessible. The training, delivered through a mix of e-learning and live support sessions, equips carers with the skills to prevent and manage distressed behaviours effectively. This approach, she argued, not only improves care outcomes but also contributes to a cultural shift within care homes, where staff are empowered to deliver truly person-centred care.

The session concluded with an emphasis on the potential of behavioural analysis to transform dementia care within the sector. By focusing on individualised, person-centred approaches, and equipping care staff with the necessary skills, it is possible to significantly improve the quality of life for residents with dementia and reduce the incidence of distressing behaviours. The long-term vision is for these behavioural skills to become standard practice in care homes, leading to a cultural shift that prioritises the well-being and dignity of residents with dementia.

 

 

Head to the Care Show app to access all the session recording from Care Show London 2024