Family Caregivers Who Drink Alcohol Daily Are More Likely To Have Abusive & Neglectful Behaviors Toward Care Recipients With Dementia

Family caregivers who screen positive for hazardous drinking were associated with higher odds of neglectful and psychologically aggressive behaviors toward care recipients with dementia, a study has found. Caregivers who consumed alcohol on a given day, regardless of quantity, exhibited greater odds of engaging in physically aggressive and neglectful behaviors on the same day compared with days with no alcohol consumption, the study found.

The study consisted of a baseline survey and 21 days of daily diary surveys among family caregivers aged 18 years or older who lived with a relative who had dementia and provided unpaid care to them . . .