Episode 20: How Do I Know if My Family Member with Dementia Can Safely Make Decisions?

In today’s podcast, I answer the question, “How do I know if my family member living with dementia can safely make decisions?” This concern usually comes up around financial issues and living arrangements. It is important for caregivers to understand that the ability to make a decision is not an "on/off" light switch. It is more like a gradual dimmer and must be evaluated for each individual and for each circumstance.

The ability to make a decision is called decisional capacity. How do you know if someone living with dementia has the decisional capacity for a specific problem or situation? These 5 questions can start the conversation rolling. Caregivers will probably have other related questions for each of the big ones.

1. Tell me about the decision. (What is the decision? What does it mean to you?)
2. If you go through with your decision, what may happen?
3. Tell me who your decision may help.
4. Tell me who your decision may hurt.
5. Is someone or something "pushing" you to make this decision?

Frustrated with care refusals? Go to https://makedementiayourbitch.com for a free copy of my checklist, “15 Ways to Manage Dementia Care Refusals.”

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [e-mail].

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: https://www.facebook.com/DementiaCentric

I show caregivers how to confidently manage dementia behaviors, so that their lives and the lives of their loved ones become easier and calmer. Check out my offerings: https://dementiacentricsolutions.com

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving #care refusal #caregiving

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