SAVVVY CAREGIVER TIP OF THE WEEK: OOVL DECISION MAKING GUIDE FOR FAMILIES
Outcomes – Options – Values - Likelihoods
Adapted from the Savvy Caregiver Training Program
Hi Caregivers,
I hope you have a moment during this season of Thanksgiving to connect with family and/or friends. We at COMPASS would like to thank each of you for showing up – every day for your person with dementia. You are our heroes and heroines.
Last week's Savvy Caregiver session was a great opportunity to see many of you. For those who couldn't make it, we practiced skills using video examples of challenging behaviors such as elopement and apathy. We also learned a new way to support caregivers in their decision-making processes.
Problem-solving and decision-making often feel overwhelming and stressful for the caregiver of a person with dementia. The Savvy Caregiver has developed a tool to add to the toolbox you have accumulated throughout this course. The OOVL Guide enables the caregiver to visualize your decision-making process when working with your person who has dementia. This framework prompts you to consider multiple options and the Likelihood of achieving a desired outcome that aligns with your values. The OOVL provides a structure for aligning outcomes with your values and assessing the probability of a positive outcome.
Let’s create a recipe to answer a question you would like answered.
- Define the Question
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Brainstorm possible solutions – create a list from which you can comfortably choose three possible Options that you might consider.
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Ask the question – What would you like to have happened due to your choice? Define possible Outcomes.
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Keeping your person’s wants and values ( safety, sense of well-being, maintaining your person’s dignity) – Assign a Value +, ++, +++ to the defined Outcomes.
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Lastly, consider the Likelihood that the Options (Solutions) can be achieved.
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This formula will provide clarity to the solution that you choose.
During this week’s session, the savvy caregivers noted that options and values are variable depending on their loved one's stage of dementia. Caregivers shared that they felt this tool took some of the pressure out of the decision-making process and that they could use it to communicate their decision-making process to the care team.
As always, the COMPASS team is here for you--please reach out with any needs.
Take Care,
Barb Hughes, LMSW
COMPASS Social Worker and Savvy Caregiver Facilitator
bhughes@jfsdelaware.org
302-650-7047
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