The Hidden Work Behind Problem Solving
Most of us think of problem solving as something we do during big decisions.
But the brain is actually solving problems all day long.
You spill water on the counter. You grab a towel.
You open the refrigerator and notice the milk is empty. You decide what to do next.
Your phone will not turn on. You try charging it.
These moments feel automatic because the brain is quietly working through a process.
First, it recognizes that something has changed.
Then it interprets the situation.
Next it generates possible solutions.
Finally, it chooses an action and carries it out.
If the first attempt does not work, the brain adjusts and tries again.
We do this constantly without noticing.
Problem solving is happening in the background of everyday life.
Why Dementia Affects Problem Solving
Problem solving depends heavily on a group of brain skills often called executive function.
Executive function allows the brain to:
Plan
Make decisions
Shift between ideas
Adapt when something changes
Hold information in mind while taking action
These abilities rely heavily on networks in the frontal lobes of the brain.
Dementia can affect these networks, which means the brain may struggle to organize information and decide what to do next.
This is why someone may still remember familiar people or routines but have difficulty figuring out how to respond when something unexpected happens.
The information may be there.
But the brain cannot easily work through the options.
What This Can Look Like in Everyday Life
Changes in problem solving often show up in small moments during the day.
You might notice the person you care for:
Standing in front of the closet unsure what to choose
Leaving spoiled food in the refrigerator
Putting something in the wrong place without realizing it
Getting stuck when a simple task does not go as planned
Repeating the same attempt even when it is not working
Sometimes they may ask you what to do over and over.
Other times they may become frustrated or shut down when a situation feels confusing.
From the outside, these moments can look like stubbornness or refusal.
But often the brain simply cannot sort through the next step.
Why These Moments Can Feel So Personal
Caregivers are often carrying a lot of responsibility.
When something falls apart during the day, it can feel like the person is not trying.
Or like they are pushing back against help.
But problem solving is not about effort.
It is about how the brain processes information.
If the brain cannot organize the options, the person may freeze, guess, repeat the same action, or walk away from the situation altogether.
Understanding this can soften some of the frustration that builds during these moments.
Not because caregiving becomes easy.
But because the moment begins to make more sense.
Ways to Support the Brain When Problem Solving Is Hard
When problem solving becomes difficult, the goal is not to push the person to figure it out the way they used to.
Instead, the goal is to reduce the mental load the brain has to carry.
Some simple strategies can help.
Limit choices. Too many options can feel overwhelming.
Show the next step instead of explaining it.
Break tasks into smaller pieces.
Keep routines predictable whenever possible.
Make important items easy to see and reach.
Step in earlier when frustration begins to build.
These small adjustments support the brain instead of fighting against the changes that are happening.
How All the Pieces Fit Together
Over the past several weeks, we have looked at different parts of function and how dementia can affect them.
We talked about sensory processing and how the brain interprets the world through sight, sound, and touch.
We explored emotional regulation, and why frustration or fear can surface more quickly when the brain is working harder.
We discussed the physical side of function, including movement, strength, and balance.
And we looked closely at the cognitive systems that support everyday life.
Attention
Memory
Language
Sequencing
Problem solving
Each of these systems plays a role in daily function.
Think about something simple like getting dressed.
The brain needs sensory information to understand the environment.
It needs emotional regulation to tolerate the task.
It needs physical ability to move and manage clothing.
And it needs cognition to focus attention, remember the goal, organize the steps, and adjust if something changes.
When these systems work together, everyday activities flow naturally.
When dementia affects one or more of them, the same task can suddenly feel confusing or overwhelming.
What looks like behavior is often a signal that one of these systems is struggling.
Looking at Caregiving Through a Different Lens
Dementia care is full of moments that do not make sense at first.
A task that used to be easy falls apart.
A decision becomes overwhelming.
A conversation circles back again and again.
It is easy to focus only on what is happening on the surface.
But underneath those moments, there are often changes in attention, memory, language, sequencing, problem solving, sensory processing, emotional regulation, or physical ability.
When you start looking at caregiving through that lens, something shifts.
Instead of asking,
“Why are they doing this?”
You begin asking,
“What part of function might be struggling right now?”
That question often leads to more helpful solutions.
Less pressure.
More structure.
More patience with the process.
And sometimes, calmer moments for both of you.
Notes
- Alzheimer’s Association. (2024). Daily care plan: Supporting a person living with dementia. https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/daily-care-plan
- Bayles, K. A., & Tomoeda, C. K. (2007). Cognitive-communication disorders of dementia (2nd ed.). Plural Publishing.
- Farias, S. T., Harrell, E., Neumann, C., & Houtz, A. (2003). The relationship between neuropsychological performance and daily functioning in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease: Ecological validity of executive functioning tests. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 18(6), 655–672. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0887-6177(02)00159-2
- Marshall, G. A., Rentz, D. M., Frey, M. T., Locascio, J. J., Johnson, K. A., & Sperling, R. A. (2011). Executive function and instrumental activities of daily living in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 7(3), 300–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2010.04.005
- Royall, D. R., Lauterbach, E. C., Kaufer, D., Malloy, P., Coburn, K. L., & Black, K. J. (2002). Executive control function: A review of its promise and challenges for clinical research. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 14(4), 377–405. https://doi.org/10.1176/jnp.14.4.377
- Salmon, D. P., & Bondi, M. W. (2009). Neuropsychological assessment of dementia. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 257–282. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.57.102904.190024
Want to keep figuring this out together?
Subscribe to Finding Our Way in Dementia Care and get honest stories, helpful tips, and gentle support delivered to your inbox every week. Just real talk, grounded care, and space to breathe.
Subscribe to Finding Our Way in Dementia Care and get honest stories, helpful tips, and gentle support delivered to your inbox every week. Just real talk, grounded care, and space to breathe.
Kind truth. Clear steps. Warm guide.
0 Comments