Dementia decision-making studied
Decision-making isn’t “all or nothing”, according to La Trobe University researcher, Dr Laura Tarzia. “Just because a person living with dementia is no longer able to make major financial decisions doesn’t mean they can’t make decisions about many other aspects of their lives,” Dr Tarzia tells DPS News.
Decision-making isn’t “all or nothing”, according to La Trobe University researcher, Dr Laura Tarzia.
“Just because a person living with dementia is no longer able to make major financial decisions doesn’t mean they can’t make decisions about many other aspects of their lives,” Dr Tarzia tells DPS News.
She says the focus should be on what the person with dementia can do; not what they can’t do.
Dr Tarzia is looking into the everyday decision-making skills when someone has a diagnosis of dementia, and believes more understanding is needed to know what it means to make decisions and how the decision-making process can be affected by a diagnosis of dementia.
“There’s quite a lot of research out there about dementia and decision-making, but very little where the voices of people with dementia are included,” she says.
People recently diagnosed with dementia are now being asked to express their views to help improve attitudes and avoid misconceptions about dementia and decision-making.
Participation is voluntary and will involve a 30 minute interview with a researcher, which may take place at your home or another location of your choice. Alternatively, the interview may be conducted via telephone.
According to Dr Tarzia, unfortunately when someone receives a dementia diagnosis, “often the assumption is they can no longer make decisions for themselves”.
“The temptation for those around them is to try to help by stepping in and making decisions on their behalf. What we’ve found so far by speaking to people living with dementia is decision-making is extremely important to them.
“They want to be empowered to continue to make decisions rather than have other people takeover. Decision-making is central to their sense of identity.”
Dr Tarzia says the best thing families can do to support the person living with dementia is to help them develop strategies which allow them to keep making their own decisions for as long as possible.
To participate, or for more information about this study, contact Dr Laura Tarzia on (03) 9479 5954.
