Behavior Management Decision Tree¶
This interactive decision tree guides caregivers through a systematic five-step assessment for challenging behaviors common in moderate-stage dementia. Click YES or NO at each decision point to explore the appropriate response strategies, try one of the built-in example scenarios, or use the behavior log to track what triggers a loved one's behavior and what helped.
Learning Objective¶
Apply systematic problem-solving to challenging behaviors in moderate-stage dementia (Bloom Level 3 - Apply). Learners practice working through real scenarios and determine the appropriate caregiver response using a structured decision framework.
- Bloom Level: Apply (L3)
- Bloom Verb: Apply, use, implement, solve
- Library: Custom HTML/CSS/JavaScript
How to Use¶
- Click Start Assessment and answer YES or NO at each decision point.
- Or click Try an Example to auto-walk one of three real-world scenarios.
- After completing a walkthrough, a short quiz appears. Answer all three questions correctly to trigger a celebration.
- Use the Behavior Log panel to track triggers and what helped — over time, patterns become easier to spot.
Color-Coded Paths¶
| Color | Decision Point | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 1. Medical cause | Pain, infection, medication side effects |
| Orange | 2. Environmental trigger | Noise, lighting, temperature, clutter |
| Yellow | 3. Unmet need | Hunger, thirst, bathroom, boredom, comfort |
| Green | 4. Task too difficult | Complexity, unfamiliar routines, lost skills |
| Blue | 5. Communication & emotional support | Calm reassurance (all paths lead here) |
Key Principles¶
- Look for causes before trying to change behavior.
- Medical issues should always be ruled out first.
- Most behaviors are attempts to communicate needs.
- Environment has a huge impact on behavior.
- Distraction and redirection often work better than confrontation.