{"id":1156,"date":"2021-10-21T10:03:27","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T09:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpressmu-412230-3492474.cloudwaysapps.com\/franchise\/how-to-manage-challenging-behaviour-in-a-care-setting\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T14:09:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T13:09:05","slug":"how-to-manage-challenging-behaviour-in-a-care-setting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/how-to-manage-challenging-behaviour-in-a-care-setting\/","title":{"rendered":"How to manage challenging behaviour in a care setting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Challenging behaviour in the care setting can be very upsetting for all involved. Often challenging behaviour is a sign that something is wrong, a need is not being met and the person cannot communicate what they need clearly. It can be a sign of worry, fear or frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, whatever the reason for the behaviour, it is never ok for carers to face abuse at work. Employers, such as ourselves, have systems in place to protect our staff, carers and clients from this and we provide rigorous training so that carers know what to do in any situation. We provide support so that we are always available if you need us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below we have created a guide for how to manage challenging behaviour in the care setting to help care managers and carers alike.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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What can challenging behaviour look like and how can these behaviours be managed?<\/h2>\n

Challenging behaviour: Shouting<\/h3>\n

Shouting can be a manifestation of frustration, confusion or a need for attention. It might also indicate discomfort or pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to deal with shouting<\/h3>\n

Remain calm and speak softly, maintaining a reassuring tone. Try to identify the cause of the shouting, addressing any underlying needs or concerns. Provide comfort and reassurance, and ensure the individual feels heard and understood.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Challenging behaviour: Swearing<\/h3>\n

Swearing might occur due to agitation, irritation or an inability to express feelings or needs verbally.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to deal with swearing<\/h3>\n

Avoid reacting negatively or taking the swearing personally. Stay composed and acknowledge the emotions behind the swearing. Encourage alternative forms of communication and provide support to help the individual express themselves more effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Challenging behaviour: Physically violent behaviour to you or themselves<\/h3>\n

Physical violence can arise from frustration, fear or a feeling of loss of control. It may also stem from a medical condition or past trauma.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to deal with physically violent behaviour:<\/h3>\n

Prioritise safety for both the individual and yourself. Remain calm and try to de-escalate the situation by creating space and avoiding confrontational behaviour. Seek help from colleagues or professionals if necessary. Implement strategies for managing aggression, such as redirection or distraction techniques.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Challenging behaviour: Refusing to help in the care process<\/h3>\n

Refusal to participate in care activities can result from feeling overwhelmed, lacking motivation or experiencing discomfort.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to deal with a refusal to help in the care process<\/h3>\n

Respect the individual’s autonomy and avoid forcing participation. Try to understand the reasons behind the refusal and address any concerns or anxieties. Offer choices and flexibility in care routines to empower the individual. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps and provide positive reinforcement for cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Challenging behaviour: Refusing food or drink<\/h3>\n

Refusal to eat or drink can indicate loss of appetite, dietary preferences or underlying health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to deal with refusal to eat or drink<\/h3>\n

Assess the individual’s overall health and consult with healthcare professionals if necessary. Offer a variety of food and drink options, taking into account preferences and cultural considerations. Create a relaxed and pleasant dining environment to encourage eating. Monitor intake and ensure hydration levels are maintained.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Challenging behaviour: Aggression<\/h3>\n

Aggression may manifest as verbal or physical hostility and can be triggered by various factors, including pain, fear, frustration or confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to deal with aggression<\/h3>\n

Prioritise safety and implement de-escalation techniques to diffuse tense situations. Remain calm and avoid escalating the aggression with confrontational behaviour. Establish clear boundaries and consequences while also showing empathy and understanding. Identify triggers and develop strategies to minimise their impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Challenging behaviour: Becoming a danger to themselves<\/h3>\n

Self-endangerment can include behaviours such as wandering, self-harm or neglecting personal safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to deal with someone becoming a danger to themselves<\/h3>\n

Conduct a thorough assessment of the individual’s environment to identify potential hazards. Implement safety measures, such as removing harmful objects or installing alarms. Provide supervision and support to prevent accidents or injuries. Address any underlying issues contributing to self-endangerment, such as anxiety or cognitive decline, through appropriate interventions and support services.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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What causes this behaviour?<\/h3>\n

As we mentioned above, challenging behaviour can be the result of a number of different factors or stressors. Just because you may not see the stressor, doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t a real factor in someone\u2019s discomfort. Stressors can include sensory issues (like lights being too bright, the environment being too loud, too hot or too cold, uncomfortable tags on clothes) feeling thirsty or hungry, physical factors like injuries, illness or reactions to new medication, or emotional issues (including mental health conditions, dementia or emotional trauma.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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What to do if you experience challenging behaviour as a carer?<\/h3>\n
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  • The most important thing to do is to try and keep calm. Certain behaviours can be very distressing or upsetting to witness, and equally these behaviours will be upsetting to the person you are caring for.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Take a moment and a deep breath.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Assess the situation \u2013 Remember do not put yourself into harm\u2019s way.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Speak slowly and clearly and explain what you intend to do to help.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Treat the person with respect and dignity at all times \u2013 they may be unable in that moment to stop what they are doing \u2013 for example if they are overwhelmed.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Move and act calmly \u2013 do not rush the person. Give them the time and space they need. For example, if they are overwhelmed and being aggressive, do not approach them, just stay in the room or within a safe distance and<\/span><\/li>\n
  • try to calmly speak to them.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • If there is an obvious stressor in the environment \u2013 for example a loud noise, then try to turn it down, if possible, as this may help make the person more comfortable.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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    Communication is key<\/h3>\n

    Remember that challenging behaviours are in themselves communication. They are someone saying, \u2018I am not happy, comfortable, well or safe.\u2019 So, to communicate effectively in what can be a highly charged emotional environment, it is important to avoid any harsh statements like \u2018Don\u2019t\u2019 or \u2018Stop!\u2019 because the person may physically and emotionally be unable to stop their behaviour, and this could exacerbate the situation. Instead, communicate clearly how you are feeling, for example \u201cI understand you are upset, however I feel worried when you do X.\u201d Other options could be \u2018I would like to help you; how can I best do this?\u2019 \u2018How can I help you right now?\u2019 \u2018It would really help me if you could do X please.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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    What should you do if the behaviour continues?<\/h3>\n
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    • Keep your distance \u2013 make sure that you are safe<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Keep a calm voice and move calmly and slowly \u2013 you may have to give the person time and space to calm down for<\/span><\/li>\n
    • a while.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Call for help \u2013 remember you are not alone. Don\u2019t be worried to ask for help, challenging behaviour has a number of causes and triggers, so don\u2019t feel worried to get help and support \u2013 you and your care team want the best for the person involved after all.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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      Why this approach is important<\/h3>\n

      Because respect, dignity, and empathy are some of our key values here at GoodOaks Homecare. We believe that our talented carers are our biggest asset and so knowing how to look after clients, even in the most challenging moments, is key to being an incredible care provider. If you are already doing all of the things we suggest in this guide \u2013 congratulations! You are clearly a good carer and clear communicator! In fact, you might want to think about starting your own home care franchise. We have found that those who have experience in care and care management tend to run the most successful home care agencies, because of their deep understanding and experience. Our founders Ben and Darius met when they worked as carers, but they felt unsupported in their roles, so they wanted to start a home care company that put carers at its heart.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3134,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-franchise"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1156"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5584,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1156\/revisions\/5584"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodoakshomecare.co.uk\/franchise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}