[The consensual approach in geriatrics]

Caregivers are often ill-equipped to cope with repeated verbal and physical aggression by geriatric residents with cognitive deficits. Cooperation from other members of the health care team is rarely automatic and there is little adherence to established interventions. This article offers valuable insights on patient care to caregivers who work with aggressive individuals in geriatric settings. With the consensual approach, nursing assistants and attendants who are assigned to these patients daily are able to participate in the problem-solving process. They help design the approach and willingly become stakeholders in the actions presented by the patient care plans. By the end of the process they are able to view the aggressive person as someone worthy of attention and love, rather than a disruptive element to be endured.