Behaving in Aging

Through the evidence-based practice of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Behaving In Aging equips seniors to increase and maintain independent functioning and improve their quality of life. We provide individualized therapeutic, habilitative, educational, and consultative services with compassion, dignity, and integrity.

At Behaving In Aging, our mission is for aging adults to truly enjoy later life. To that end, our behavior services focus on treatment interventions that facilitate change at both the individual and environmental levels.

Our work is based upon 4 foundational principles:

Aging adults are entitled to benefit from a world designed so that they can live in it more efficiently and, therefore, more enjoyably.

Aging difficulties derive from continuing to do things that were formerly essential in one’s youth but are no longer suitable in later years.

Enjoyment in later years is established when the things that aging adults do become things that they like to do.

The feelings experienced by aging adults are the by-product of what they do and of the circumstances under which they do it.

Behavior Treated with ABA

Agitation	Hoarding
Aggression	Inappropriate Sexual Behavior
Apathy	Memory Impairment
Communication Deficits	Mood / Personality Changes
Confusion / Disorientation	Personal Safety Deficits
Delusions	Refusal Behaviors
Hallucinations	Self-Care Skills Deficits
Disinhibition	Sleep Disturbances
Eating Difficulties	Vocal Disruptions
Emotional Distress	Repetitive Behaviors
Excessive Smoking / Alcohol Intake	Wandering
Excessive Psychomotor Activity (Fidgeting)	Depression: Isolation / Withdrawal

ABA Service Benefits

Increase expressive language and communication skills
Improve attention, focus, and memory
Decrease challenging and aberrant behaviors
Acquire and maintain functional independent living skills
Develop self-management skills
Improve socialization
Improve aging adult-caregiver relationships
Avoid the off-label use of psychotropic medications
Extend residential placement and avoid higher levels of care costs

Personalized Treatment Programs

Analysis and treatment in ABA therapy are individualized. A Behavior Analyst observes aging adults in their natural environment to identify events that trigger the behavior, identifies what would motivate the person to engage in more adaptive behavior, and determines the function of behavior through careful examination of the antecedents and consequences. Throughout assessment and treatment, motivation, environmental factors, events, social relationships, and habits that begin early in life that influence the behaviors and outcomes in older adults are considered. This information is used to develop an individualized Behavior Treatment Plan to address the aging adult’s unique needs. ABA treatment includes interventions to shape functional behavior, to reduce the severity and frequency of challenging behavior, and to change environmental factors that affect behavior. ABA services are provided in the aging adult’s residential or adult day program setting.