Managing disruptive behaviours exhibited by older adults with mental health, addictions and neurocognitive conditions in Alberta: A mixed methods approach

Responsive behaviours (RB's) are variable responses to an individual's environment that are disruptive to the person exhibiting the behaviour as well as to those around them. Throughout the community and continuing care service sectors, managing RB's in the resident population is an increasing concern. In Alberta at present, the magnitude or impact of RB's at a provincial level is unknown. This is significant as current healthcare policies, facilities, and programs are governed at this level. A symposium of health care providers, policy and decision makers, academics, and researchers with expertize in RB's was convened with two broad aims: (1) identify and discuss issues related to the provision of health care services for individuals across Alberta, who live and cope with RB's; and (2) to develop a plan to address this challenge across the continuum of care. The findings from the symposium highlight the readiness and need for a provincial framework/strategy to develop guiding principles to cope with RB's across conditions and ages.