Abuse in the caregiving relationship between older people with memory disorders and family caregivers: A systematic review

Aim: To synthesize what is known about elder abuse and relationship factors associated with abuse between caregivers and older people with memory disorders at home. Background: Concerns about abuse in the caring relationship between older people with memory disorders and family caregivers have increased. Abuse is associated with negative outcomes on older people's health, quality of life, and zest for life. Abuse in the caring relationship manifests in financial exploitation, neglect, mistreatment, and physical issues. Design: Systematic review. Data Sources: Databases including Scopus, PubMed/Medline, SveMed+, Cinalh, SonINDEX, and ProQuest were searched using keywords about abuse in the caring relationship between older people with memory disorders and family caregivers at home. Articles published between 2005–2019 were retrieved and underwent data analysis and knowledge synthesis. Review Methods: The review was presented under the categories of the dyadic approach of elder abuse in connection with the role of caregiver (risk) and care recipient (vulnerability) by Fulmer et al. (2005). Results: The search process led to 12 quantitative studies, including an intervention, a prospective, nine surveys, and a cross-sectional structural interview. Findings were synthesized and presented under ‘personal’, ‘physical and psychological’, and ‘social’ domains indicating the bilateral roles of caregiver and care recipient leading to abuse. Conclusion: This review depicted factors influencing abuse in the caring relationship between older people with memory disorders and their family caregivers at home. They included family caregivers’ psychological issues, knowledge of memory disorders and modifications, previous caring relationship, social support, number of care recipients, and care recipients’ functional level. Impact: This review identifies what influences elder abuse by family caregivers using the dyadic approach and explains how abuse can be prevented through suggested strategies. The review findings are relevant to multidisciplinary healthcare providers and can guide the provision of support, screening and assessment, educational programs, and legislative initiatives.