Dealing with Physical Aggression in Caregiving Physical and Non-Physical Interventions Developed by Carly Hellen , OTL/R, and Peter Sternberg, L.C.S.W.

Carly Hellen, OTL/R

Carly R. Hellen, University of New Hampshire, occupational therapist, is the Director of Alzheimer’s care at the Wealshire in Lincolnshire, IL. She developed and is currently responsible for the Wealshire’s activity based programming. Carly was Nursing Home Services Director for Chicago’s Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center from 1990 to 1995. She is the author of Alzheimer’s Disease: Activity Focused Care, 2nd Edition (1998), a comprehensive manual that provides providers with practical and innovative care strategies. She is also the author of numerous articles, book chapters, and a frequent presenter including Alzheimer’s Association chapter and national meetings. Carly was a co-developer and trainer for the State of Illinois dementia training program for certified nursing assistants. She assisted a team of instructors for the Dementia Care Training Course for the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Survey and Certification. Carly Hellen participated on the consensus panel for the American Medical Association in writing primary physician guidelines for the long term management of Alzheimer’s Disease. Carly believes in caring for persons with dementia that upholds their dignity and sense of worth. Equally important, Carly wants to offer the same respect and support to staff.

Peter Sternberg, L.C.S.W.

Peter Sternberg, is a clinical social worker, working part time in the Department of Psychiatry at Rush North Shore Hospital in Skokie, IL and part time in a private psychotherapy practice. Peter’s extensive background in martial arts was called upon to address the need for physical safety training in the Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry. This evolved Peter into being instrumental in developing a house-wide Code-response training initiative for the Hospital. In response to requests for help from area nursing homes dealing with aggressive residents, Peter modified the training program he had developed for the hospital to address the specific needs and circumstances he heard described by nursing home staffs. Peter has presented on this topic at a number of Alzheimer’s disease conferences. The techniques Peter teaches are humane, respectful and proven to restore safety while minimizing the risk of harm to all. Throughout his teaching and training, Peter has called on nursing home administrators to develop clear cut “house-wide” Code-response systems. Further, Peter has advocated that the development of policy and procedure addressing aggression from dementia residents enhances safety and minimizes risk for the residents, the owner, the administrators, and the line staff alike.