MODULE 3
De-escalation in Action
⏱ 22 min
In this module, you'll watch real caregivers handle three common behavioral episodes and practice the CARES® 5-step framework yourself.
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▶ NOW PLAYING · MODULE 3 INTRO · 4:38
Learning objectives for this module
By the end of Module 3, you will be able to:
- Recognize the three early warning signs of behavioral escalation
- Apply the CARES® 5-step framework in real time, on the floor
- Choose between distraction, redirection, and validation based on the resident's emotional state
- Document the incident in a way that helps your team learn for next time
The CARES® 5-step framework, applied
You learned the framework in Module 1. Here's how a Direct Care Worker applied it during a real incident with a resident named Doris, a 78-year-old with moderate Alzheimer's:
- C — Connect. Sat at Doris's eye level. Used her name. Smiled.
- A — Assess. Noticed her hands were shaking. Looked around for environmental triggers.
- R — Respond. Spoke slowly. Validated her feelings ("I see you're upset, Doris").
- E — Evaluate. Stayed close. Watched her breathing return to normal.
- S — Share. Told the next shift what worked, in writing.
The result: Doris went from yelling and hitting to sitting calmly within 4 minutes. No medication. No restraint. No incident report.