Looking at the risk of elder abuse

By Abigail Mellier, April 25th, 2013 | Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Caregiver spouses with their own problems are more likely to abuse those they are looking after.
It might be assumed that the person best qualified to care for someone in need of support is their spouse. But this is not necessarily so, according to a team at the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues. If the spouse is at risk of depression or has their own cognitive and physical problems, then they may ‘take it out’ on the one they are caring for.

Caregiving is stressful and it can wear down an individual who may be suffering their own health problems. The researchers looked at 265 caregivers and care recipients, interviewing both. The risk of verbal abuse was higher when the caregiver was a spouse, had reported physical symptoms in the last week, had cognitive impairment or had depression.

Where the caregiver was a child, abuse was far less likely, even if they lived with the recipient. Younger people are less likely to have health problems, of course. And there may be relationship issues between a couple that translate into abuse when one becomes dependent. Doctors should look out for those who may find caregiving a particular stress and arrange for alternatives for them, such as using formal caregivers, respite care and, if depression is an issue, antidepressant treatment.