PBS in Dementia Care with Dr Alinka Fisher

In this latest Behaviour Bits episode, Dr Alinka Fisher joins us to explore positive behaviour support in the context of dementia care. Drawing on her research across disability, acquired brain injury and dementia, Alinka discusses why PBS principles matter, and how they can be applied flexibly and meaningfully for people living with dementia and their families.

The conversation explores the distinction between “managing behaviour” and understanding the complex interactions between bio-psycho-social factors, personal history, and environment. Alinka shares insights from education programs delivered to families and residential aged care staff, offering a practical view of what good support looks like in everyday practice.

Whether you work in behaviour support, aged care, allied health or family support, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical perspective on supporting people living with dementia our latest podcast episode, ‘PBS in Dementia Care’, we’re joined by Dr Alinka Fisher to explore how Positive Behaviour Support principles can be applied flexibly and meaningfully in dementia-support contexts.

Drawing on her work across disability, acquired brain injury and dementia, Alinka unpacks:

• why behaviour should be understood as communication
• the impact of neurological change, personal history and environment on behaviour
• what good support looks like in practice
• how to build workforce capability in real-world settings
• why person-centred, evidence-informed practice still matters when time and resources are stretched

Whether you work in behaviour support, aged care or allied health, this conversation offers a practical and thoughtful perspective on supporting people living with dementia and their families.