Abuse of people with dementia by family carers: representative cross sectional survey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of abusive behaviours by family carers of people with dementia.


METHODS
Representative cross sectional survey


METHODS
Community mental health teams in Essex and London.


METHODS
220 family carers of people newly referred to secondary psychiatric services with dementia who were living at home.


METHODS
Psychological and physical abuse (revised modified conflict tactics scale).


RESULTS
115 (52%, 95% confidence interval 46% to 59%) carers reported some abusive behaviour and 74 (34%, 27% to 40%) reported important levels of abuse. Verbal abuse was most commonly reported. Only three (1.4%) carers reported occasional physical abuse.


CONCLUSIONS
Abusive behaviour by family carers towards people with dementia is common, with a third reporting important levels of abuse and half some abusive behaviour. We found few cases of physical or frequent abuse, although those with the most abusive behaviour may have been reluctant to report it.
Cooper
Claudia
C
Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, W1W 7EJ. c.cooper@medsch.ucl.ac.uk
Selwood
Amber
A
Blanchard
Martin
M
Walker
Zuzana
Z
Blizard
Robert
R
Livingston
Gill
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult