C ome from the front Start 6 feet away, lift your hand to your face and say Hi! Or Hey! O pen palm Drop your hand forward as you begin your approach. N ot to fast Pace yourself at about 1 step per second so you don’t startle the person. Give them time to adjust their gaze to you. N ot in front As you near the person, move slowly to the side, about an arm’s length away. E stablish hand Accept the person’s handshake contact with your outstretched hand. C hange to Release fingers; but keep thumbs hand-under-hand connected. Rotate into the butterfly then close fingers over into “helping handshake”. T ake a seat/ Get down to the person’s level squat/kneel without leaning in. CONNECT with the Positive Physical Approach Try this strategy to CONNECT with people who may have cognitive and sensory deficits or dementia to reduce the flight, fright, and fight responses Give it a try!!! Melanie Bunn, MSN, RN, GNP C ome from the front Start 6 feet away, lift your hand to your face and say Hi! Or Hey! O pen palm Drop your hand forward as you begin your approach. N ot to fast Pace yourself at about 1 step per second so you don’t startle the person. Give them time to adjust their gaze to you. N ot in front As you near the person, move slowly to the side, about an arm’s length away. E stablish hand Accept the person’s handshake contact with your outstretched hand. C hange to Release fingers; but keep thumbs hand-under-hand connected. Rotate into the butterfly then close fingers over into “helping handshake”. T ake a seat/ Get down to the person’s level squat/kneel without leaning in. CONNECT with the Positive Physical Approach Try this strategy to CONNECT with people who may have cognitive and sensory deficits or dementia to reduce the flight, fright, and fight responses Give it a try!!! Melanie Bunn, MSN, RN, GNP

C ome from the front Start 6 feet away, lift your hand to your face and say Hi! Or Hey! O pen palm Drop your hand forward as you begin your approach. N ot to fast Pace yourself at about 1 step per second so you don’t startle the person. Give them time to adjust their gaze to you. N ot in front As you near the person, move slowly to the side, about an arm’s length away. E stablish hand Accept the person’s handshake contact with your outstretched hand. C hange to Release fingers; but keep thumbs hand-under-hand connected. Rotate into the butterfly then close fingers over into “helping handshake”. T ake a seat/ Get down to the person’s level squat/kneel without leaning in. CONNECT with the Positive Physical Approach Try this strategy to CONNECT with people who may have cognitive and sensory deficits or dementia to reduce the flight, fright, and fight responses Give it a try!!! Melanie Bunn, MSN, RN, GNP

C ome from the front Start 6 feet away, lift your hand to your face and say Hi! Or Hey! O pen palm Drop your hand forward as you begin your approach. N ot to fast Pace yourself at about 1 step per second so you don’t startle the person. Give them time to adjust their gaze to you. N ot in front As you near the person, move slowly to the side, about an arm’s length away. E stablish hand Accept the person’s handshake contact with your outstretched hand. C hange to Release fingers; but keep thumbs hand-under-hand connected. Rotate into the butterfly then close fingers over into “helping handshake”. T ake a seat/ Get down to the person’s level squat/kneel without leaning in. CONNECT with the Positive Physical Approach Try this strategy to CONNECT with people who may have cognitive and sensory deficits or dementia to reduce the flight, fright, and fight responses Give it a try!!! Melanie Bunn, MSN, RN, GNP

For additional resources, please visit our website: Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence Explore more, join a “Group” For more resources, please visit our website: Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence Explore more, join a “Group”