Behaviour Observation Sheet

Name:Stavros Vassillou

Carer (Elena Vassillou) to:

write down in the far left column of the table the challenging behaviours of Stavros Vassillou (observations of challenging behaviour to take place over a two week period).

Trainee Care Worker to:

  1. Read challenging behaviours identified by Carer: Elena Vassillou.
  2. Read ‘Triggers that can alter behaviour’ on the last page of this sheet.
  3. Identify behaviour trigger/s for the client (use the information that the carer has written in the first column of the table). Write this information into the ‘Behaviour trigger’ column of the table.
  4. Identify the impact of this behaviour .Write this information into the ‘Impact of this behaviour’ column of the table.
  5. List ways to minimise the client’s behaviour in the last column of the table.
  6. Add to the challenging behaviour column (the first column) any challenging behaviours that you have observed while in the presence of the client. Then complete the other three columns of the table for the behaviour you have observed.
  7. Add to the challenging behaviour column (the first column) any challenging behaviours that are noted in the client’s care plan and progress notes. Then complete the other three columns of the table for the behaviour you have added.
  8. Make recommendations for any necessary changes in the client’s care plan in the space provided after the table.

Grange Home Care Behaviour Observation Sheet Page 1 of 3

Challenging behaviour and effects on Carer
(completed by Elena Vassillou) / Behaviour trigger / Impact of this behaviour / Ways in which to minimise impact of behaviour
Any noises wake Stavros up at night. He then wants to go to work. He keeps me awake until I take him to garden. Sometime 2 hours before we go back to bed. This happens every night.
Every time he is in kitchen I have to watch him in case he gets a knife. He shouts “chop him” and points the knife at me. I’m very frightened. Because of this I have to wait for family to come before I can go out.
My cousin, Soula, comes to visit me every morning for coffee. Stavros undoes his fly on his trousers in front of her. I tell him to go to toilet. Soula says she won’t come anymore if he does this. Now I’ll be alone everyday.

Recommendations for care plan changes

Triggers that can alter behaviour

There are a number of different types of triggers that can alter behaviour in a person living with dementia. These triggers can be divided into the three categories listed in the table below.

Triggers that can alter behaviour
Client triggers
(these triggers can be identified from the care plan and progress notes) / Communication triggers
(these triggers can be identified in the care plan and progress notes) / Location triggers
(these triggers can be identified by observing the client in their own environment)
Client triggers include:
  • Cultural background/values/language
  • Social history
  • Impact of changes to work roles (eg retired from work)
  • Sleeping problems
  • Feelings such as frustration, sadness, anger, grief
  • Effects of dementia
/ Communication triggers include:
  • Poor verbal communication (ie speaking too
fast, mumbling)
  • Hostile body language
  • Inappropriate non-verbal cues
  • Changes to routine
  • Unfamiliar carers/care workers
  • Preferred language not used
  • Feelings of client not considered
/ Location triggers include:
  • Unfamiliar surroundings
  • Too much noise (eg radio, building sounds)
  • Visual distractions (eg patterned carpet)
  • Décor and fittings confusing (eg can’t recognise what room they are in)
  • Too much clutter
  • Visual prompts that cue unwanted behaviour (eg items usually associated with outside activities in immediate inside space)

Grange Home Care Behaviour Observation Sheet Page 1 of 3