Considerations When Expanding Behavior-Analytic Services to Memory Care Settings

Abstract: Building up clientele and working with staff in memory care settings can be particularly challenging. Physicians, nurses, and caregivers want to use non-pharmacological interventions to manage the challenging behaviors exhibited by those with dementia, but there are not enough behavior analysts in clinical practice for referrals. Furthermore, once the clinician gets their foot in the door, it can be difficult to get buy-in from team members due to the general unfamiliarity of behavior analysis in aging. Adherence with behavior plans must come from the top down and it can be difficult for geriatric care managers to free up already overwhelmed staff to train them on additional responsibilities. As an additional challenge, nonbehavioral interventions already in place in memory care settings may include those based on poor empirical support, and may negatively impact client outcomes as the behavior analyst begins providing services. This panel will provide discussion on anticipated barriers and proposed solutions regarding a) setting up practice with older adults, b) staff training, and c) how to navigate unfamiliar nonbehavioral interventions when expanding services in the area of behavioral gerontology.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: (1) Describe strategies to establish your practice with older adults, (2) State solutions to barriers associated with training staff in aging settings, and (3) State tactics to evaluate nonbehavioral interventions encountered in aging settings.

Chair: Jonathan C. Baker (Western Michigan University)

JENNA MATTINGLY (The Shabani Institute)

MARANDA ANN TRAHAN (Trinity Services, Inc.)

CHRISTOPHER WALMSLEY (Humboldt State University)