Applied Social Research

Case Study

Project: The Social Process of Everyday Decision-Making by People with Dementia and Their Spouses.

Researcher: Dr Geraldine Boyle.

Funder: ESRC

CASR Research Area: Families, Personal Lives and Social Care

This two year research project involves talking to couples living with dementia about the types of decisions they make every day and how they go about making those decisions. The study aims to develop a better understanding of how couples living with dementia make everyday decisions and to identify the practical support that can facilitate them to make decisions.

The study, which started in April 2010, is being undertaken at the University of Bradford by Dr Geraldine Boyle and Katherine Ludwin. in collaboration with Dr Lorna Warren from the University of Sheffield. Ethical approval was ontained from the National Social Care Research Ethics Committee. People with dementia and their spouses attending social cafes or support groups run by the Alzheimer's Society (or a community organisation) are being invited to take part in the research.

Approximately twenty-four couples are being interviewed about the types of decisions they make every day and how they go about making these decisions. The researchers are also spending time at home with the couples, observing them as they go about their daily routines and make day to day decisions. The research findings should promote better understanding of how people with dementia can make decisions and how to involve them in decision making.