This Occupational Formulation in Dementia Template is designed to support Occupational Therapists in clarifying and structuring their clinical reasoning when working with people living with dementia in community aged care settings. It guides the systematic synthesis of the person's background, occupational influences, and occupational presentation into a shared formulation that directs goal-setting, prioritisation, and intervention planning, informed by a Positive Behaviour Support lens.
 
The template:
 
Guides clinical reasoning from occupational identity (who the person is), through occupational influences (the "why") and occupational presentation (the "what"), to a working formulation and plan
Supports occupation-focused, person-centred goal-setting structured around subject, occupation, conditions, review timeframe, and mechanism
Provides clear documentation of prioritisation decisions, strategies implemented, referrals, and review plans
Prompts screening for physical causes, carer capacity, and restrictive practice considerations in accordance with the Aged Care Rules 2025
 
This template may be:
 
Used as a working clinical document to structure occupational formulation, goal-setting, and intervention planning
Stored in the client file as evidence of systematic, person-centred clinical reasoning
Used to communicate a shared understanding of the person to the broader care team, including families and support workers
Referenced during escalation to the GP or specialist behaviour support services (e.g., Dementia Support Australia)
Adapted by incorporating selected sections into existing organisational assessment or care planning documentation
Completed in full, or in the condensed two-page field version during home visits and expanded afterwards