Responsive behaviours is a term which describes many common, and sometime distressing, behaviours that people living with dementia may do as a way to communicate a need. These include things like yelling, hitting, spitting, pinching, repetitive actions or speech, looking for doors/ wandering, etc. Finding the best ways to address the cause or redirect someone requires good strategy.

Activation therapy is a term used to describe the technique of engaging a person living with dementia in activities that they find soothing or meaningful. Modifying activities and changing the way it is presented can help people at any stage do things that bring fulfillment.

VHA has created a Heart In Mind activation therapy toolkit for more information on how this may help you or your loved one.