Boosting quality of life: Behaviour support in NDIS & aged care

Behaviour support assists individuals with dementia or anxiety to feel more secure, less agitated and more in touch with daily living.

It adopts a kinder, person-focused methodology that seeks to find out why behaviour is changing, followed by practical changes to minimise physical restraints and any other regulated restrictive practices, to ensure that people feel comfortable.

It teaches families and the care team how to respond consistently, thereby enhancing the care.

Carers can be supported by various care resources and behaviour support practitioners to know the available options and locate trained care teams who focus on quality of life.

What behaviour support means in everyday care

Behaviour support entails emphasising the person’s experiences and preferences, placing them at the centre of care.

Instead of judging or only responding to episodes of distress, care teams try to understand what the person is signalling and then adapt the surroundings and routines.

A comprehensive behaviour support plan will explain the exact roles, so that support workers and care staff know who leads which task. It will also identify where clinical input is needed and who will provide the support.

A good behaviour support plan is a living document: it is read, debated with care providers, implemented across all kinds of home care packages and is available when residents transfer between residential aged care and a care home.

Above all, the plan minimises physical restraints and all restrictive practices in general, and offers continuity to an individual who receives aged care at a hospital or a nursing home. This ensures preservation of dignity, choice, as well as quality of life.

Dementia care: How behaviour support helps seniors with dementia and anxiety

Behaviour support reduces distress by changing what happens around the person rather than changing the person. Behaviour support practitioners observe patterns and record when and where anxiety or agitation occurs, then make changes.

These changes could be as simple as adjusting the lighting, meal preparation, and mealtime, or creating a schedule that provides some predictability throughout the day. 

Short, repetitive strategies minimise restrictive practices and enable the individual to remain active in hobbies they like. Clinical needs are combined with behavioural strategies when teams have registered nurses to make care safe and holistic.

Where the person receives home-based support, care plans are written to travel with them. These interim behaviour support interim behaviour support plans can assist in guiding during short holidays or when respite care is arranged.

It is recommended that the families and care team review the interim behaviour support plan together on a routine basis, with subtle adjustments as the trends evolve to ensure that practices meet the growing needs of the individual.

Key strategies used in behaviour support

Good behaviour support involves a combination of practical, low-risk tactics, depending on the history and preferences of the person. 

Environmental strategies can mean fewer competing sounds, clearer signage, or a quieter seating area. Routine strategies include consistent mealtime patterns, simple step-by-step instructions for care, and predictable staff faces to reduce uncertainty.

Support workers are trained to use positive behaviour support, calming language and structured distraction (such as a short familiar task or music) rather than confrontation.

For complex cases, the plan helps care staff know how to balance medical tasks with behavioural approaches. The plan also indicates when assistive devices may help with safety and independence, for example, simple visual cues or seating supports. 

Speech Pathologists may be consulted to tailor communication, and a behaviour support toolkit or behaviour support practitioners can give practical ideas for staff to help families to reduce behaviours of concern. 

When behaviour support is embedded in home care or within aged care, the result is more consistent practice and fewer crises.

Practical examples for families and staff

A common example is a person who becomes anxious at mealtimes. A positive behaviour support plan may recommend reducing table clutter, using familiar crockery and allowing extra time to eat.

Support workers note preferred foods, seating, and whether quiet background music helps. Other examples include using a short, pleasant walk or holding a familiar object to redirect attention, or using a picture cue to show the day’s routine.

In cases of respite or temporary accommodation, the interim behaviour support plan must accompany the individual, so new employees can be aware of the triggers and favourite calming techniques beforehand. 

These steps reduce behaviours of concern and make handover easier for the wider care team. A timely interim behaviour support plan can be the short-term answer while a longer, comprehensive behaviour support plan is prepared.

When clinical needs and equipment are included

Where medical complexity exists, a comprehensive behaviour support plan clearly lists clinical responsibilities. Care staff may be responsible for managing various health ailments, and the plan states how these clinical tasks link to behavioural strategies to avoid unintended distress.

Any supporting equipment that aids in reducing the risk of restrictive practice and makes things more comfortable should be mentioned in the document.

People who have access to funded support can have the plan coordinated with the NDIS Commission to ensure the availability of trained support workers and clinical staff when they are required. 

Teams should limit restrictive practice and note any regulated restrictive practices in the record.

Accessing behaviour support: Practical steps and pathways

Begin by talking with your GP, an aged care assessor or your local community health service. Ask for the behaviour assessment form and interim behaviour support plan that is co-designed with the NDIS participant and their family.

If the person receives home support, check whether home care packages can fund specialist visits or training for support workers; a clear support catalogue from NDIS providers should explain which support categories they deliver.

Ask whether staff have experience with health ailments where required. Where brief pauses are required, talk about respite care and make sure that the interim behaviour support plan will be sent to respite employees.

It can also help to link with peer groups or advocacy services, as families often share practical knowledge and emotional support that makes navigating behaviour support less overwhelming.

Where the individual might be eligible under the NDIS, look at local NDIS guidance with the NDIS Commission.

Good services define the way outcomes are tracked, a comprehensive behaviour support plan is created, plans are reviewed, and concerns are escalated to ensure families believe in continuity and safety for the NDIS participant.

Conclusion

Behaviour support is a feasible yet respectful approach to alleviate distress among seniors with dementia or anxiety.

With the integration of trained support workers, integrated clinical supervision and a comprehensive behaviour support plan that are person-centred, NDIS participants and their NDIS participants and their families have an opportunity to get suitable home support, respite or residential aged care when the need arises.

For families who need help finding trained teams or understanding funding options, Support Network can be a useful starting place to locate NDIS providers and services that follow recognised standards and prioritise person-centred outcomes, reducing the need for physical restraint and other regulated restrictive practices.