Modeling a Dynamic Decision Process: Supporting the Decisions of Caregivers of Family Members with Dementia

One contributor to caregiving burden is the stress of making decisions. Family caregivers need support to consider and implement decisions. Support is likely to result in informed decisions and decreased guilt. The purpose of the study described in this article was to understand the decision processes of family caregivers of people with dementia using a multiple case study approach that would result in a model of their decision processes, with emphasis on support needs. The proposed model, based on control theory, charts the caregiving experiences over time and documents decisions made to maintain tolerable situations. This model is the first step toward developing interventions to provide the support needed to take on the role of decision maker, plan for the future, and make informed decisions.