How Much Help is Too Much Help When a Loved One Has Dementia?

HowMuchIsTooMuch

If you are the caregiver for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, keeping them independent for as long as possible is important. But watching them struggle to complete simple tasks may be difficult for families to do. As a caregiver, how do you know if you are doing too much or too little to help your loved one?

A few recent studies have tackled this topic:

Utah State University

Dr. JoAnn Tschanz authored a study on the topic earlier this year for Utah State University. The group examined the care environment of those living with Alzheimer’s and compared it with the clinical progression of the disease. They found that allowing those living with Alzheimer’s disease to do more for themselves helps to slow the progression of the disease while lowering stress for dementia caregivers. Dr. Tschanz explains this as “problem-focused coping.” Her research group found that using more positive coping strategies on the part of the caregiver helps them to create a care environment that promotes independence. Helping stressed-out caregivers find ways to cope without intervening when their loved one attempts different tasks seems to be the key.

University of Alberta

Researchers at University of Alberta also investigated this area of caregiving in laboratory settings with both the caregiver and their loved one. They found that families often step in preemptively – before their loved one even tackles the task. Especially for those chores where they fear they may hurt themselves. They found that “over helping” can send the person living with Alzheimer’s disease a message that they aren’t capable. The message this research group would like to promote is to allow your loved one to first tackle a task. If they are unable to manage, then consider how the chore can be broken down in to manageable amounts or otherwise reworked to allow for success.

Advice from the National Institute on Aging

The experts at the National Institute on Aging believe adaption is the key to keeping your loved one living with dementia safe and independent. That includes adapting both the task they may try to take on as well as your expectations for outcomes. If they are helping you set the table, for example, understand it might not be the picture-perfect tablescape you desire. But getting all of the serving pieces and utensils on the table really is good enough for daily mealtimes.

Is this an issue you struggle with in your caregiver role? What advice can you share with families?

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