De-Escalation Training in Long-Term Care: Importance for Caregivers
Working in long-term care often means managing complex emotions, behaviors, and situations—especially when residents experience confusion, fear, pain, or frustration. Caregivers are often the first to encounter escalating behaviors, and their ability to respond calmly and effectively can make all the difference in ensuring safety and preserving dignity. This course provides essential de-escalation training tailored specifically for long-term care settings. It focuses on equipping caregivers with the tools and techniques needed to recognize early signs of distress, communicate effectively, and diffuse potentially volatile situations with empathy and confidence.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define de-escalation and describe its role in managing challenging or volatile situations in long-term care settings.
- Identify common triggers that may lead to agitation or aggressive behavior in residents.
- Recognize early warning signs of escalation and apply appropriate verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques.
- Demonstrate effective communication strategies that promote calm, respect, and trust during a crisis.
- Explain the importance of caregiver self-awareness and emotional regulation in de-escalation scenarios.
- Discuss how de-escalation training supports a culture of safety and person-centered care for both residents and staff.
Curriculum
Chapter 1: Overview of De-Escalation Training
Chapter 2: De-Escalation Training for Caregivers in Long-Term Care: Application to Residents, Families, and Co-Worker Situations
Chapter 3: Understanding Resident Behaviors in Long-Term Care
Chapter 4: Understanding Family Behaviors in Long-Term Care
Chapter 5: Understanding Co-Worker Behaviors in Long-Term Care
Chapter 6: Impact of Triggers on Resident and De-Escalation Techniques
Chapter 7: The Four Components of Behavior Interventions for Caregivers
Chapter 8: De-escalation in Practice
Chapter 9: De-Escalation Practices for Long-Term Care Residents with Challenging Behaviors
Price: $18.00
Contact Hours: 1.5
Course Author
Carey Peerman
Course Accreditation
See our Accreditation Statements page to view our accreditation information.