Abuse in dementia care: caregiver burden, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and bidirectional abuse - a cross-sectional study

Abuse of older adults with dementia is a public health and human rights concern. To find out the caregiver burden, caregiver perpetrated abuse toward people living with dementia, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and to explore the abusive behaviors exhibited by people living with dementia toward their caregivers. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 108 informal caregivers and people living with dementia in South India. Majority of caregivers reported engaging in some form of potentially abusive behavior. Over half of the caregivers reported experiencing abusive behavior from a person with dementia. A statistically significant association was observed between abuse exhibited by persons living with dementia and abusive behavior by caregivers, indicating the presence of bidirectional abuse within dementia caregiving dyads. Effective BPSD management and structured caregiver support interventions are critical to reduce bidirectional abuse and promoting well-being among both caregivers and people living with dementia.