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Balancing Autonomy and Risk Taking

For most older individuals, autonomy is a key aspect of good quality of life, along with maintaining independence in their own homes, barring severe health limitations. Even in institutional settings, participation in care decisions is vital.

Preserving autonomy is integral to upholding self-determination, fostering self-worth, and promoting dignity, integrity, and personhood in individuals with dementia. However, preserving autonomy in dementia care has unique challenges, particularly for individuals living at home.

Individuals with dementia living at home face risks such as malnutrition, falls, hygiene issues, medication management, fire hazards, wandering, financial exploitation, and social isolation, all of which threaten their autonomy and wellness.

Despite their awareness of these risks and desires to prolong independent living at home, individuals with mild to moderate dementia often face difficult decisions about when to transition to institutional care. Family and professional caregivers may also struggle with the ethical dilemma of balancing their loved one’s autonomy with their safety and well-being.

Caring for individuals with dementia in their own homes has complex challenges and requires careful consideration of how to minimize harm while actively promoting wellbeing. Achieving this delicate balance requires an understanding of individual needs, preferences, and risks, as well as collaborative decision-making with everyone involved in the care process.

The resources below aim to provide some perspective about risk-taking and autonomy for individuals with dementia.

Balancing Autonomy and Risk Taking

For most older individuals, autonomy is a key aspect of good quality of life, along with maintaining independence in their own homes, barring severe health limitations. Even in institutional settings, participation in care decisions is vital.

Preserving autonomy is integral to upholding self-determination, fostering self-worth, and promoting dignity, integrity, and personhood in individuals with dementia. However, preserving autonomy in dementia care has unique challenges, particularly for individuals living at home.

Individuals with dementia living at home face risks such as malnutrition, falls, hygiene issues, medication management, fire hazards, wandering, financial exploitation, and social isolation, all of which threaten their autonomy and wellness.

Despite their awareness of these risks and desires to prolong independent living at home, individuals with mild to moderate dementia often face difficult decisions about when to transition to institutional care. Family and professional caregivers may also struggle with the ethical dilemma of balancing their loved one’s autonomy with their safety and well-being.

Caring for individuals with dementia in their own homes has complex challenges and requires careful consideration of how to minimize harm while actively promoting wellbeing. Achieving this delicate balance requires an understanding of individual needs, preferences, and risks, as well as collaborative decision-making with everyone involved in the care process.

The resources below aim to provide some perspective about risk-taking and autonomy for individuals with dementia.