(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Half of the people caring for family members with dementia report some abusive behavior toward the person they are caring for and one-third report significant levels of abuse, according to a new British study.

The abuse usually involved actions such as shouting or swearing at the ill family member rather than physical abuse. The study’s authors said the results did not surprise them since dedicated family or friends care for most people with dementia, often with little support.

Under British government guidelines, shouting or swearing at person being cared for is considered a level of abuse.

Researchers at University College London surveyed 220 people caring for family members with dementia in their homes. More than 52 percent of the caretakers reports some abusive behavior, such as occasionally screaming or yelling, and nearly 34 percent reported significant levels of abuse, such as more frequent insulting or swearing at the person for whom they care.

Only 1.4 percent reported significant physical abuse. The researchers said the number might be low because those who are the most abusive may have hesitated to report it or may not have taken part in the study in the first place.

The researchers said their findings show that any strategies aimed at protecting vulnerable adults must be directed toward families who provide the majority of care for older people rather than exclusively at paid caretakers.

“The vast majority of family caretakers do a fantastic job under very difficult circumstances and although levels of minor abuse seem high according to the scale used, there may need to be a redefinition,” co-author Gill Livington was quoted as saying. “Healthcare professionals can be reluctant to ask about abuse by family carers, but this attitude can be very unhelpful to carers who are worried about their own actions and want to talk about them and get help.”

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, Jan. 22, 2009

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