Thank You for Joining Us at Decoding Difficult Behavior
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, the Professional Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC) East Bay Chapter gathered at the Orinda Community Center for lunch, networking, and a practical session on one of the toughest parts of the job: working with clients who exhibit difficult or challenging behaviors.
Led by Vanessa Valerio, RN Gerontologist, CMC, CHCA, Co-Founder and Chief Nursing Officer of Care Indeed, the presentation gave fiduciaries and care managers real-world solutions and best practices to manage unruly client interactions, reduce stress, avoid liability, and stay compliant while delivering quality service. Attendees also earned 1 CEU.
Date: October 8, 2026
Venue: Orinda Community Center, Founders Room
Audience: Fiduciaries & Care Managers
Credit: 1 CEU
Key Takeaways
Practical strategies attendees can apply immediately with clients.
Understand the Behavior
Recognize the clinical, cognitive, and emotional drivers behind difficult client interactions—especially behavior that can feel personal in the moment.
De-escalate with Confidence
Language and techniques that calm unruly interactions without damaging the client relationship.
Reduce Risk & Liability
Documentation habits and boundary-setting practices that keep you compliant and protected.
Protect Your Own Wellbeing
Strategies to lower stress and prevent burnout while still delivering quality service.
Vanessa Valerio
RN, CMC, CHCA, Gerontologist · Co-Founder & Chief Nursing Officer, Care Indeed
Vanessa began her career in 2000 as a caregiver after moving to the United States, then became a nurse and co-founded Care Indeed in 2010. A certified Dementia Coach with a Master of Science in Gerontology, she helps professional and family caregivers humanize care—seeing beyond the diagnosis to the whole person behind it.
Her session centered on de-escalation language, protective documentation habits, and the clinical and cognitive reasons behind behavior that can feel personal in the moment.
Event Highlights
Moments from lunch, networking, and the presentation at the Orinda Community Center.
See You at the Next Gathering
A heartfelt thank you to Vanessa Valerio, the PFAC East Bay Chapter, and every fiduciary and care manager who joined us in Orinda. Have questions about supporting a client with challenging behaviors? Call Care Indeed at (650) 328-1001 or email info@careindeed.com.