How to Prevent Abuse by Family Caregivers

According to a study done by the Department of Mental Health Sciences of the University College London, two-thirds of family caregivers report verbal abuse of a family member with dementia. No matter the illness, verbal and physical abuse are heinous behaviors, though the stress of caregiving can lead otherwise well-meaning loved ones to break and lash out. For family members not directly caring for a relative, a keen eye and some planning can stop abuse before it starts or gets out of control.

Instructions

For Caregivers

1. Educate yourself. Knowing the illness and the family member's needs helps arm a caregiver with the tools he needs to help maintain the loved one's health and happiness. Knowing what to expect cuts down on stress.

2. Obtain a care management assessment, which is an estimation of the appropriate plan for care from a medical professional. Knowing what is required to take care of your loved one helps reduce undue stress and plan for any contingencies, like time off or emergencies. Make sure the care plan works for both the family member and caregiver.

3. Accept your feelings. Caring for an ill family member can be extremely tough, and feeling guilty over the stress or agitation only compounds bad feelings. Accepting feelings of stress or helplessness helps caregivers know when it is time to take a break.

4. Take a break. Recharge your batteries. Taking some "me" time helps caregivers relax, de-stress and make sure they don't neglect themselves.

5. Utilize support systems. Senior centers can make a nice change of pace for elderly relatives and give the caregiver a break. Have other family members spend time with the loved one. Use government agencies for financial assistance if needed.

For Non-Caregiver Family Members

1. Stay vigilant. Be aware of changes in the family member's behavior, appearance or health, which can signify something wrong at home.

2. Watch for financial abuse. Keep a record of valuables and monitor banking activity. Run credit reports routinely to make sure fraudulent accounts aren't opened in the loved one's name.

3. Spend time with the ailing loved one. The more time the family surrounds the relative, the harder it is for a caregiver to take advantage of or abuse that family member.

References

• NCBI; Abuse of People with Dementia by Family Caregivers; Cooper C et al; 2009
• NCEA: Preventing Elder Abuse by Family Caregivers
• Helpguide: Preventing Caregiver Burnout
• Family Caregiver Heroes: Elder Abuse & Neglect Resource for Seniors and Family Caregivers