Alzheimer Scotland responds to UCL study on abuse of people with dementia

Alzheimer Scotland expresses serious concern about the level of abuse of people with dementia and points out that much abusive behaviour stems from lack of proper support for carers.

The first representative study to ask family carers about abusive acts towards people with dementia has been published in the British Medical Journal, following research undertaken by University College, London. Its results highlight the need to focus on incidences of abuse by non-paid carers, specifically family members, as well those involving paid care staff.

Jan Killeen, Director of Policy at Alzheimer Scotland, said, “This study shows that abuse of people with dementia can take many forms: not only physical (which only make up 3% of cases in this study), but also psychological and financial. We must ensure that people with dementia are treated with dignity and respect in all care relationships, paid-for and otherwise. However, it is important to recognise that many unpaid carers are under a great deal of pressure: struggling to cope with difficult behaviour and disturbances at all hours of the day and night can be extremely stressful. It is vital that carers are offered carer assessments and given the support that they need.”

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said, “These findings clearly give grave cause for concern. We are in a fortunate position in Scotland in that we now have legislation in place in the form of the Adult Support and Protection Act to take action against this in serious cases.”

“Nevertheless, we need to get behind these statistics and ask ourselves why this is occurring. We have no doubt that, in some instances, this will be as a direct result of the isolation that carers and people with dementia experience, as well as the lack of support and services available to them. As a society we must also bear responsibility for this abuse; we are failing to properly support the many thousands of carers and people with dementia who have become so disempowered and cut-off that such abuse can go undetected. We would ask any carer who is struggling to talk to someone about this: contact our 24 hour, freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000). You do not need to struggle through this alone – please seek help now.”

Contact details:
Kirsty Jardine (Awareness Manager), tel. 0131 243 1453, mob. 07747 025041, email kjardine@alzscot.org

Notes for editors:
• Dementia affects approximately 63,500 people in Scotland. (http://www.alzscot.org/pages/statistics.htm)
• According to Alzheimer Scotland’s 2007 report The Dementia Epidemic – where Scotland is now and the challenge ahead, approximately 60% of people with dementia live in the community. 82% of people with dementia require either daily care or constant care.
• According to Alzheimer Scotland’s 2008 report Meeting our needs? - the level and quality of dementia support services in Scotland,

1. Most councils have a waiting list for day care. Some councils also have a delay for home care services.
2. Specialist dementia day care is valued by people with dementia, carers and social work care managers alike. However, there is a shortfall in day care provision appropriate to the needs of people with dementia in the majority of councils.
3. There is a shortfall in the level of home care provision in many councils. The amount of time care workers are allocated for each person means they are often under pressure to carry out tasks quickly and move onto the next person.
4. There are serious deficiencies in the provision of core community care services for people with dementia. It is essential that steps are taken now to relieve the pressure on services and plan for the future increase in the numbers of people with dementia.