overcare
Overcare is a pattern of caregiving or medical management that provides more intervention, protection, or monitoring than is necessary or beneficial for the recipient. It can occur in family settings, primary care, hospitals, and long-term care. While preventive care is valuable, overcare is associated with diminished autonomy and increased dependency, and it can entail overtreatment or excessive safeguarding that may cause harm.
Contexts and manifestations include elder care with excessive safety measures, pediatric or disability support that overprotects,
Causes and drivers include cultural emphasis on safety, caregiver anxiety and burnout, lack of shared decision-making,
Consequences and indicators include reduced independence, caregiver burden, higher costs, and potential harm from unnecessary procedures.
Responses focus on patient-centered care and shared decision-making, adherence to guidelines and goal-concordant planning, advance care