bandaid solutions – an easy ‘fix’

Most carers have not received training to develop active coping strategies.

A person’s immediate reaction to a request for help is made at a subconscious level.

This is known as following their ‘natural instinct’.

Carers often respond to requests for help from the person they care for by using their natural instinct – they automatically try to solve the problems themselves.

However, this can lead to ‘rescuing behaviours‘, or ‘bandaid solutions‘, which can stop the person being cared for from acting independently.

What's the 'bandaid cycle'?

  • You are expected to solve a problem for the person you are caring for.

  • You offer a ‘bandaid’ solution.

Bandaid solutions provide seemingly simple answers to problems. They provide a temporary quick ‘fix’, postponing the need to deal with the underlying issue.

It is common to try to find a solution for the person you are caring for, but this can lead to a cycle of behaviour that is difficult to break.

If you currently use bandaid solutions, the person you care for:
• can become reliant on you;
• will come to expect you to reduce their pain;
• may resent you for being unable to resolve their underlying issues

If you continue to use bandaid solutions you will:
• believe that it’s your responsibility to keep rescuing the person from their problems
• feel guilty when you are unable to solve their problems
• feel used and resentful