Task Breakdown

Task breakdown is the process of helping a patient or loved one to accomplish an activity one step at a time.

A person suffering from dementia is often incapable of remembering a series of instructions. Task breakdown helps your loved one to make sense of various activities of daily living, including: “brush your teeth,” “get dressed,” “eat your dinner.”

Tasks can be broken down by walking a person step-by-step through an activity or, depending on the person’s ability, providing him or her with a list that breaks the task down.

It is most important that activities be broken down according to each person’s ability and understanding.

Examples

As you review these task breakdown examples you may find that Example #1 does not break down the task in enough detail for your needs. Or, you may find that Example #2 is too detailed. These examples should be used as only rough guidelines as you begin to think about breaking down tasks for your loved one.

In order for task breakdown to be a successful exercise, it is necessary that you pay close attention to your loved one’s ability and understanding. It is likely that, as you begin to use task breakdown, there will be some amount of trial and error. Also, please keep in mind that what works today may need to be modified in the future.

Example #1: Verbal Task Breakdown

Helping your loved one to walk from her bed to a chair on the other side of the room.

1. With a calm, quiet voice tell her what you wish her to do. “I would like you to stand up. Together we will walk to the chair by the window.”
2. As she approaches the chair, give a simple direction. “Please turn around.” This will enable her to be in the correct position before attempting to sit down.
3. Remind her to place her hands on the arms of the chair in order to support herself as she sits down.

L. Noyes, Alzheimer’s Family Day Center, Fairfax, VA.

Example #2: Task Breakdown by List

1. Helping your loved one to brush his teeth.
2. Locate your toothbrush in the drawer below the sink.
3. Locate the toothpaste in the drawer below the sink.
4. Place the toothbrush on the counter next to the sink.
5. Take the lid off of the toothpaste.
6. Squeeze the toothpaste onto the toothbrush bristles.
7. Place the lid back on the toothpaste.
8. Place the toothpaste back in the drawer below the sink.
9. Turn on the sink.
10. Pick up the cup next to the sink.
11. Fill the cup next to the sink with water.
12. Turn off the sink.
13. Place the cup on the counter beside the sink.
14. Place the toothbrush in your mouth.
15. Count to 20 as you brush your teeth.
16. Lay the toothbrush next to the sink.
17. Pick up the cup next to the sink.
18. Take a sip of water from the cup next to the sink.
19. Swish the water in your mouth.
20. Spit the water into the sink.
21. Return the cup to the counter next to the sink.
22. Turn on the sink.
23. Rinse the toothbrush under the water.
24. Turn off the sink.
25. Shake the toothbrush into the sink.
26. Place the toothbrush back into the drawer below the sink.
27. Use the towel next to the sink to dry your mouth.

Helpful Hints

• Remember that task breakdown is the process of breaking tasks into smaller, separate steps to help create structure (i.e. putting on a jacket).
• As you begin to plan a task breakdown exercise, write down each step that you can think of.
• Identify in which steps your loved one becomes most involved.
• Keep the steps of the exercise simple.
• As you try a task breakdown exercise, speak directly to your loved one.
• Encourage your loved one to participate.
• Use short, simple words and sentences.
• Speak slowly, clearly, and calmly.
• Remain respectful, easy-going, and encouraging.
• Allow your loved one the time he/she needs to understand the task.
• To help your loved one remember the task breakdown steps, use spoken, physical, and visual cues.
• If you find your loved one is having a difficult time with the task breakdown designed for him/her, try simplifying the sub-tasks even further.