Dementia's Hidden Darkness: Violence and Domestic Abuse

New evidence suggests a complex but clear connection between dementia and domestic abuse, with a case-control study by the University of Toronto indicating that spousal abuse could be associated with the development of Alzheimer's, reports The Conversation . Most abuse tends to occur in the home, with anywhere between 5 percent and 20 percent of seniors worldwide physically abused; up to 55 percent may suffer other forms of abuse. Dementia's intellectual impairments can be problematic for unprepared caregivers and family members, and this frustration can sometimes lead to abuse. However, on some occasions the person with dementia is the perpetrator of the abuse instead of the recipient, as the onset of the disease is known to coincide with the provocation of aggressive and angry tendencies. A study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias estimated that almost 20 percent of individuals who have recently developed dementia have acted aggressively towards caregivers, including loved ones. Motivators could include the loss of the person's pride or sense of self, which can sometimes manifest as unusually aggressive or hostile behavior. Dementia also can spark violent mood swings and outbursts.