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

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

The researchers concluded that personalized interventions are needed to address caregiving complexities and alcohol use patterns. Their findings suggest that the subset of caregivers experiencing alcohol use disorder may experience multiple benefits from interventions aimed at screening and managing . . .