A=Activating Event

In assessing the Activating Event, review the following information:

Questions to answer:

  • When & where did the behaviour occur?
  • What was the person doing immediately before the behaviour occurred?
  • What was happening around the person at the time?

Assess environmental factors:

  • Noise (eg. TV loud, music loud, staff change of shift, meal time clatter)
  • Clutter (eg. Furniture, people)
  • Bright lights/glare on the floor
  • Mirrors
  • Temperature (eg. Too hot/cold)
  • Recent changes to environment (eg. Renovations, staff/resident changes)
  • Does the environment provide a safe area for residents to wander around?
  • Does the environment encourage independence, dignity and mobility?
  • Does the environment accept the client’s cultural and lifestyle habits?

Assess physical factors:

  • Metabolic: Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hypercalcaemia, hyponatraemia
  • Infections: Urinary tract infection, pneumonia, septicaemia
  • Neurologic: Stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage
  • Traumatic: Chronic pain, head trauma, fractures such as hip & rib
  • Systemic: Hypoglycaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency
  • Medications: Sedatives, antihistamines, alcohol, changes in medication
  • Impaction: Faecal

Does the person have:

  • Impaired vision or hearing
  • Acute illness, eg. UTI, pneumonia
  • Chronic illness, eg. Angina, CCF, diabetes
  • Chronic pain, eg. Arthritis, ulcers, headaches
  • Dehydration
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue or physical discomfort

Assess psychological factors:

  • Does the person have a history of psychiatric illness?
  • Has the person experienced a recent loss or an accumulation of losses?
  • Does the person appear sad? Eg. Tearful, withdrawn
  • Are past events influencing present behaviours? Eg. Post traumatic stress, POW, abuse
  • Does the person appear to be responding to hallucinations?