Heart of Health: Understanding behaviour key to unlocking better care for people experiencing dementia

Karine Smith knew if there was ever an opportunity to become a behaviour resource consultant (BRC), she would jump at the chance.

“When I worked in long-term care, a BRC from Continuing Care regularly visited our facility, and I attended her meetings and was inspired by the insights she provided,” says Karine. “When a job opportunity became available to join Continuing Care as a BRC, I was eager to embrace the challenge.”

Behaviour resource consultants collaborate with families and care partners to better understand individuals with complex behaviours by providing education and guidance to foster understanding about the person behind the behaviour. This collaborative approach promotes compassionate, informed responses that enhance the quality of care and strengthen the entire circle of support throughout an individual’s healthcare journey.

Karine has a passion for helping people with cognitive impairments, like dementia. She says they often communicate their needs and wishes through their behaviour. They can express themselves verbally (e.g. calling out, swearing or repetitive questions) or physically (e.g., hitting, kicking or pushing). All behaviour has meaning, and understanding behaviour is key to unlocking better care for people managing these challenges.

Karine is one of 11 BRCs with Nova Scotia Health’s Continuing Care Behavioural Health team, which operates throughout the province to help care partners understand behaviours associated with cognitive impairments. Through education and collaborative assessments, these registered healthcare professionals help develop personalized care plans, and assist with transition planning to long-term care where needed.

“We can encounter challenging cases, and when we discuss these issues as a team, we draw on various professional perspectives. This collaboration is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of behaviours,” Karine says.

Since Karine joined Continuing Care a decade ago, her role has expanded. “Initially, BRCs primarily focused on supporting long-term care partners and people transitioning to long-term care”, she says. “Now, in collaboration with care partners such as families, home care agencies, long-term care homes, acute care and community partners such as the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, we work to improve the quality of life of the person experiencing behaviours throughout their healthcare journey.”

The busy mom of two young boys, her husband and their golden doodle, Rory, call Cape Sable Island in southern Nova Scotia home. When she’s not attending hockey games, swimming lessons, camping, visiting well-known Stoney Island Beach or cruising to warm destinations with her family, Karine regularly visits the nine long-term care facilities in communities across southwestern Nova Scotia, including Digby, Yarmouth and Shelburne County.

During her visits, she helps develop creative strategies and engaging activities to support individuals to thrive and connect with others in more meaningful ways. “I recall one situation where a woman was anxious about moving into long-term care. I worked with her family to learn more about her and shared this with one of my long-term care homes. When she arrived at the home, a male staff member greeted her with flowers, and that made all the difference,” she says.

People who are clients of Continuing Care can be referred to the team by a member of the care coordination team from the community or hospital. For long-term care, referrals can come from select employees in that facility. Over the past year, the team has received 717 referrals, leading to more than 3,000 interactions with care partners. The team also conducted nearly 300 education sessions with 6,424 care partners and staff.

Karine says, “it’s been incredibly rewarding to support families eager to learn and wish to keep their loved ones at home. “Equally rewarding has been the opportunity to not only find strategies for their care, but to visit with people in their homes. This allows me to truly see them for who they are.”

If you or your loved one needs assistance remaining in your home or requires support following a recent hospital stay, you can be referred to Continuing Care. Our staff will work with you and your care partners to create a plan of care that is right for you.

For more information or to make a referral: 1-800-225-7225 or visit https://www.nshealth.ca/continuing-care.

Photo of Karine Smith.