Table 4.

Types of interactions between the person with dementia, the family carer and the co-patient

Type of triadic interaction	Impact on person with dementia	Impact on health-care professionals
All working together	PWD displays positive constructive behaviours, and FC and co-patient act to give each other a sense of control	Can focus on giving good dementia care
Rubbing along	PWD displays constructive behaviours which challenge disengaged, distressed or neutral behaviours but FC and co-patient continue to act to give all parties a sense of control	Can focus on giving good dementia care but this is more challenging
Disruptive	PWD displays constructive behaviours which challenge disengaged, distressed or neutral behaviours and the co-patient responds aggressively but FC attempts to act to give all parties a sense of control	Need to consider issues of safeguarding and increased disruption for PWD and protection of co-patient
Dysfunctional	PWD displays constructive behaviours which challenge disengaged, distressed or neutral behaviours and the co-patient responds aggressively and FC seeks to gain a sense of control	Facing a multiplicity of demands

Notes: FC: family carer. PWD: person with dementia.