New Compulsive Behaviors

Q: Just when you find a way to manage one compulsive behavior, the person develops another and you just have to start over. How can you stay one step ahead?

A. It can be exhausting to keep up with the compulsive behaviors in FTD. Be careful that your reactions to the behaviors don’t affect your care for the person; discuss ways to manage frustration with colleagues and supervisors so you can return to resident care with a fresh perspective.

Effective interventions creative thinking. example, David In exhibits require the case new compulsive behaviors over time: he unrolls the toilet paper in bathrooms causing the toilets to become blocked; he grabs the remote control changing channels at a rapid rate; he walks continuously around the facility and develops blisters on his feet.

Consider previously successful interventions for strategies to manage new behaviors. Removing sweets from David’s view worked to limit his sugar intake. David might be escorted only to the bathroom in his room and be given a few pieces of toilet paper. Paper and cloth towels should be removed from this bathroom. (Some interventions, such as limiting toilet paper, may require a waiver, depending on facility regulations.) Write David’s name on a non-functioning remote control and substitute it for the actual one. While walking is a good exercise, blisters may cause infection. Use movement rather than words; walk beside David and slowly decrease your pace. David will also slow his pace and can be gently guided into a chair.

Your creativity can help people with FTD live safely and with dignity. While you will not be able to change compulsive behaviors, most can be managed through interventions that adjust the environment and incorporate supportive contact by staff.