Divorce Rate 8% Higher Among Adults With Severe Dementia-Related Behavioral Problems

Adults diagnosed with dementia, who have more severe behavioral symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, aggression, and disinhibition are 8% more likely to become divorced or separated from their partners than those with less severe behavioral symptoms. However, the likelihood of divorce or separation declines by 32% as the person’s level of impairment increased as indicated by their dementia stage. Dementia staging incorporates dementia status and neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms.

The higher separation rate was found in an analysis of 263 married or living-as-married couples who were divorced or separated during their follow up period at an Alzheimer . . .