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Plans for Care Non-Drug Strategy Database: A Caregiver’s Practical Guide

This article introduces the Plans for Care database, a digital platform that offers personalized, evidence-based non-drug strategies for common dementia challenges. Instead of generic tips, you get step-by-step actions tailored to your loved one’s specific stage, abilities, and situation. It’s like having a dementia care specialist in your pocket, helping you know exactly what to say and do when behaviors arise. You don’t have to guess or feel alone—these strategies are tested and designed to reduce stress and improve daily life for both of you.

Key points

  • Plans for Care is a digital database that provides personalized, step-by-step non-drug strategies for common dementia behaviors.
  • Generic tips like ‘speak calmly’ are not enough—the database gives you exact words to say and actions to take.
  • Strategies are based on the Everyday Function Scale, which matches interventions to your loved one’s current abilities.
  • Non-drug approaches are safe, person-centered, and can prevent or reduce behaviors like agitation, wandering, and refusal of care.
  • Consistency and environmental adjustments are key to success. Revisit the database as dementia progresses.
  • The database is free or low-cost and can be used at home or shared with facility staff.

What Is the Plans for Care Database?

Plans for Care is a digital platform co-founded by dementia care experts Dr. Laura Gitlin and Eric, with funding from the National Institute on Aging. It was created to bridge the gap between what research shows works and what caregivers can actually use at home. The database organizes non-drug strategies—like communication techniques, environmental changes, and activity breakdowns—into a searchable, personalized system. Instead of a one-size-fits-all list, it helps you find the right approach for your specific challenge, whether that’s agitation during bathing, refusal to eat, or wandering at night.

Why Personalized Strategies Matter More Than Generic Tips

Many caregivers know the standard advice: ‘speak calmly’ or ‘distract them.’ But knowing what to say in the moment is different. Plans for Care focuses on implementation—teaching you the exact words to use and the exact steps to follow. For example, if your loved one can no longer initiate tasks, the database might suggest breaking an activity into small, manageable pieces and using a gentle prompt like, ‘Let’s start with putting on your socks.’ This level of detail comes from the Everyday Function Scale, which helps match strategies to what the person can still understand and do.

How the Database Addresses Common Challenges

The database covers a wide range of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), including agitation, repetitive questions, refusal of care, sleep disturbances, and wandering. Each challenge is linked to evidence-based non-drug interventions that have been shown to prevent or reduce these behaviors. For instance, for sleep problems, the database might suggest a consistent bedtime routine and exposure to natural light during the day. For bathing refusals, it might recommend using a warm, calm environment and offering choices like ‘Do you want to wash your hair first or your arms?’ These strategies are designed to be safe, person-centered, and adaptable to home settings.

General caregiving information, not medical advice. Check medications and major care changes with your clinician.

Step-by-step

  1. Start by identifying the specific behavior challenge you’re facing. Write down what happens, when it happens, and what seems to trigger it. For example, ‘Mom becomes agitated every evening around 5 PM, especially when I try to help her change clothes.’

  2. Access the Plans for Care database (available through their website or app). Use the search or guided navigation to find strategies for that behavior. If you’re unsure, start with categories like ‘agitation,’ ‘refusal of care,’ or ‘wandering.’

  3. Read the recommended strategy carefully. It will include step-by-step instructions, including exact phrases to say. For example, for agitation during dressing, the strategy might say: ‘Approach from the front, make eye contact, and say, ‘Let’s put on your blue shirt. It’s soft and warm.’ Then hand them the shirt and wait 10 seconds before helping.’

  4. Prepare the environment before you act. Turn off the TV, dim harsh lights, and remove clutter. If the strategy involves a calming activity, gather the materials first (e.g., a soft blanket, a favorite song, or a simple puzzle).

  5. Try the strategy during a calm moment, not during a crisis. For instance, practice the communication technique when your loved one is relaxed, so it becomes more natural when they’re upset.

  6. Observe the response. Did the behavior decrease? Did your loved one seem more at ease? If not, adjust the approach. The database often includes variations—for example, if one phrase doesn’t work, try a different one like, ‘It’s time to get ready for dinner. Let’s do this together.’

  7. Repeat the strategy consistently for at least a few days. Non-drug approaches often need repetition to become effective. Keep a simple log of what you tried and how your loved one reacted.

  8. If the behavior persists, revisit the database for a different strategy or combine approaches. For example, for sundowning, you might use both a calming environment and a structured evening routine.

What not to do

  • Don’t rely on generic tips without personalizing them. Saying ‘speak calmly’ is not enough—you need to know what to say. Instead, use the database’s exact phrases tailored to your loved one’s abilities.

  • Don’t try to reason or argue with your loved one during a behavior. Their brain may not process logic. Instead, use distraction or redirection, like saying, ‘I see you’re upset. Let’s look at this photo album together.’

  • Don’t assume a strategy that worked once will always work. Dementia changes over time. Revisit the database regularly to adjust strategies as your loved one’s abilities decline.

  • Don’t skip environmental adjustments. A noisy, cluttered room can trigger agitation. Before starting any strategy, check the setting and make it calm and safe.

  • Don’t try to implement a strategy when you’re stressed or rushed. Take a deep breath first. If you’re overwhelmed, step away for a few minutes, then return with a calm demeanor.

Practical tools

  • The Plans for Care Digital Platform

    This is the core tool—a website or app that provides personalized non-drug strategies. You can search by behavior type (e.g., agitation, wandering, refusal to eat) and get step-by-step instructions, including exact phrases to say. It’s like having a dementia care coach on demand.

  • Everyday Function Scale (EFS)

    This is a simple assessment tool used within Plans for Care to determine what your loved one can still do independently. For example, can they initiate a task? Can they follow a two-step command? The EFS helps match strategies to their current abilities, so you don’t ask too much or too little.

  • The ‘Calm Voice’ Script

    A short script you can practice: ‘I’m here with you. It’s okay. Let’s take a break.’ Use a low, slow tone. This is especially helpful for agitation or sundowning. Write it on a card and keep it in your pocket.

  • Activity Breakdown Checklist

    For tasks like bathing or dressing, write down each step (e.g., ‘get towel,’ ‘turn on water,’ ‘wet cloth’). Use the checklist to guide your loved one one step at a time, offering help only when needed. This reduces overwhelm and refusals.

  • Environmental Setup Guide

    A simple checklist: reduce noise (turn off TV), adjust lighting (soft, warm light), remove clutter, and have calming items ready (a favorite blanket, a photo album, or a playlist of familiar songs). Use this before any care activity.

Discuss with your clinician

If the behavior involves aggression or risk of harm to self or others, ask your doctor about a referral to a dementia behavioral specialist or occupational therapist who can tailor non-drug strategies further.

If your loved one has sleep disturbances that don’t improve with non-drug strategies, discuss with their clinician whether a sleep study or medication adjustment is needed.

If you notice sudden changes in behavior (e.g., new hallucinations, severe agitation), consult a doctor to rule out infection, pain, or medication side effects before relying solely on non-drug strategies.

For inappropriate sexual behavior, ask your clinician about a referral to a specialist in dementia-related behavioral interventions, as this may require a team approach.

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