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Dementia sufferers 'make decisions with partner's help'

Friday 30th September 2011

Individuals with dementia can still make decisions in their everyday lives, a new study has revealed.

Preliminary findings from a research project revealed that when it comes to married couples living with dementia, the individual with the neurodegenerative condition is still involved in the decision making process with the help of their spouse.

Researchers on the study, which was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, investigated how couples living with dementia make decisions regarding what to eat or wear, who manages the finances and whether or not to attend a day centre.

The aim of the study was to identify any practical support that could be used to help such couples make these decisions.

Findings take into consideration people in the early stages of the condition to those with more advanced dementia.

It was found that patterns of decision making continue to be influenced by the couple's dynamic before the dementia diagnosis - the partner who usually took the lead in decision making will continue to do so although eventually the spouse without dementia will usually take over this role.

Despite this, gender has a strong impact - men with dementia are much more likely to continue in a leader role is this is how they have always behaved.

The spouses of people with dementia try to support their other half to make decisions, it was revealed, for example with the dementia-sufferer paying for shopping.

However, partners may also make decisions at a time when their partners are still able to do so , which may be due to a desire to cut the burden on their spouses.

Despite this, complicated decisions surrounding whether to attend a day centre must be handled sensitively as they can cause anxiety.

Even in the more advanced stages, dementia patients can still make decisions, showing their likes and dislikes through facial expressions and behaviour for example.

Written by Mathew Horton