Decision-Making in People With Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Narrative Review of Decision-Making Tools

OBJECTIVES: This review summarized the applicability of various decision-making tools for helping people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their families make decisions.

DESIGN: This study was a narrative literature review. The protocol of this review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO ID: CRD42020182259).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: People with dementia or MCI and their families were included in this study.

METHODS: This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Chinese Electronic Periodical Services databases from inception to May 2021. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists for a variety of study designs were used.

RESULTS: Topics related to decision-making were categorized as everyday activity decisions or medical treatment decisions. Various types of decision-making tools were identified, and we observed that decision aids can be modified and used for both everyday activity decisions and medical treatment decisions. In addition to highlighting decision aids for specific decisional issues and topics, we also elucidated other validated tools that can be used to facilitate the decision-making process.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study highlighted the topics involved in decision-making and using decision-making tools. The current review provides information that can help individuals and health care professionals choose optimal decision-making tools. On the basis of our findings, future studies can determine the most appropriate tools for intervention or outcome measures.