Crime, Dementia, and Caregivers
Abstract
Background: Dementia symptoms can impair impulse control, memory, and empathy, which contribute to behaviors that could place persons living with dementia (PLWD) at an increased risk of “criminal” actions. PLWD interactions with the criminal justice system, both pre-and post-arrest, may depend on their social support and resources. Understanding the relationship between these resources and interactions with the criminal justice system is vital to preventing improper incarceration of PLWD and maintaining the safety of caregivers for PLWD.
Methods: This presentation reports on two qualitative studies using interviews with stakeholders. The first study (“Caregiver Study”) collected experiences and perspectives on financial, social, safety, and legal challenges from caregivers of persons with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The second study (“Legal Stakeholder Study”) collected experiences and perspectives from legal professionals on management of PLWD within the criminal justice system post-arrest. For both studies, interviews were transcribed and analyzed applying the Framework Method. We synthesized common themes between the studies using charting to uncover potential relationships between social support and exposure/experience with the criminal justice system.
Results: For the Caregiver Study, 13 caregivers for patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) were interviewed within 30 days of diagnosis. Of these 13 caregivers, 11 were re-interviewed 6 to 9 months after diagnosis. Caregivers discussed caregiver burden, safety and decision-making issues and behaviors by the patient that could lead to encounters with law enforcement.
For the Legal Stakeholder Survey, stakeholders from 9 different states and a broad range of experience (5-25 years of experience) were recruited and interviewed. They reported experiences or perspectives on the ethical and logistical challenges associated with post-arrest procedures for PLWD including the role of caregivers.
Conclusion: These combined interviews show consistent patterns in problems of caregiver safety and PLWD and the ways in which families, communities, and law enforcement in keeping both parties safe.
Keywords
caregiver, criminal justice system, frontotemporal dementia, FTD, safety
Crime, Dementia, and Caregivers
Background: Dementia symptoms can impair impulse control, memory, and empathy, which contribute to behaviors that could place persons living with dementia (PLWD) at an increased risk of “criminal” actions. PLWD interactions with the criminal justice system, both pre-and post-arrest, may depend on their social support and resources. Understanding the relationship between these resources and interactions with the criminal justice system is vital to preventing improper incarceration of PLWD and maintaining the safety of caregivers for PLWD.
Methods: This presentation reports on two qualitative studies using interviews with stakeholders. The first study (“Caregiver Study”) collected experiences and perspectives on financial, social, safety, and legal challenges from caregivers of persons with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The second study (“Legal Stakeholder Study”) collected experiences and perspectives from legal professionals on management of PLWD within the criminal justice system post-arrest. For both studies, interviews were transcribed and analyzed applying the Framework Method. We synthesized common themes between the studies using charting to uncover potential relationships between social support and exposure/experience with the criminal justice system.
Results: For the Caregiver Study, 13 caregivers for patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) were interviewed within 30 days of diagnosis. Of these 13 caregivers, 11 were re-interviewed 6 to 9 months after diagnosis. Caregivers discussed caregiver burden, safety and decision-making issues and behaviors by the patient that could lead to encounters with law enforcement.
For the Legal Stakeholder Survey, stakeholders from 9 different states and a broad range of experience (5-25 years of experience) were recruited and interviewed. They reported experiences or perspectives on the ethical and logistical challenges associated with post-arrest procedures for PLWD including the role of caregivers.
Conclusion: These combined interviews show consistent patterns in problems of caregiver safety and PLWD and the ways in which families, communities, and law enforcement in keeping both parties safe.
