Dependence and Abuse Affecting Elderly Persons with Dementia

Abstract

The dependence and risk of abuse facing elderly people with dementia at the hand of their caregivers or relatives poses a public health problem the world over. Accordingly, analysis and refl ection on the problem in light of “ethical, legal, political implications and not only medical considerations” is essential and of particular interest in the fi eld of the bioethics. The authors conducted a survey to determine the extent of physical dependence and to detect abuse, as well as the association between abuse and respect for the preferences of elderly persons with dementia. Sixty-one elderly persons with mild to moderate dementia were evaluated: 73.8% were women and 26.2%, men. Abuse was reported among 29.2% of the women and 18.8% of the men. No statistically signifi cant association was found between abuse and physical dependence. However, risk of abuse was found among 47.30% of the elderly with dementia whose preferences were not being respected, compared to those whose preferences were. This is statistically signifi cant (IC 95%, 6.73-495.18).