How to Deal With Difficult Behaviors in Nursing Homes
- 1). Draft a comprehensive set of rules regarding appropriate and inappropriate (or prohibited) conduct on the part of the residents of the facility.
- 2). Educate all staff members on the conduct policy of the nursing home by providing them with copies of the code of conduct.
- 3). Inform the residents of the facility about the terms and conditions of the rules of expected conduct.
- 4). Advise family members or guardians of residents of the home about the contents of the rules of conduct.
- 5). Implement a graduated system of penalties or punishments to be used to address difficult behaviors of nursing home residents.
- 6). Provide a written description of any infraction to the resident and to her designated family member or guardian.
- 7). Include within the written rules of conduct and companion statement of penalties a precise description of when a patient's behavior in a particular instance or accumulated behavior over time warrants expulsion from the facility.
- 8). Take advantage of other resources beyond a comprehensive code of conduct to assist in regulating the difficult conduct of certain patients. Included within these resources can be such therapeutic programs as counseling or the appropriate use of medications.