Dementia and Elder Abuse

Abstract

Cognitive impairment, especially dementia, has been found to be a major risk factor for elder abuse. This paper reports a study of 54 cases of abuse and 100 non‐abused people with dementia seen by the Hornsby Rehabilitation & Aged Care Service in 1990–91. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between dementia and elder abuse considering the person with dementia as either the victim or abuser. The findings confirmed that when dementia was combined with factors such as psychiatric illness or substance abuse on the part of the carer, or pre‐existing family conflict (including domestic violence), there was a significant risk of abuse occurring. However, dementia did not place the sufferer at greater risk of physical and psychological abuse, even when there was disturbed behaviour such as aggression and paranoia. Carers appeared to be at particular risk of physical abuse and psychological abuse. When abuse did occur, extra services of some types were required to maintain the person with dementia in the community, although victims were not at greater risk of institutionalisation than non‐abused dementia sufferers.

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