Spontaneous concerns about risk and abuse reported by people with dementia and their carers

Purpose\udTo look at concerns about risk/ abuse expressed spontaneously by people\udwith dementia (PwD) and their carers in narratives describing their journeys\udwith dementia.\udMethod\udThirty-five narratives were elicited from PwD, carers of PwD and couples\udwhere one partner was living with dementia as part of a study on the impact of\udproducing narratives on PwD and their carers. Participants were found to\udallude to risk/ abuse, or specifically mention thoughts on risk and abuse in\udtheir narratives. A secondary analysis of the theme of risk/ abuse is reported\udhere.\udFindings\udConcerns about risk/ exploitation were often expressed in the narratives, and\udcovered a range of areas including driving; safety in the home; safety\udoutdoors; falls; finances; risk to PwD from others; risk to others from PwD;\udpotential or actual police incidents; and neglect.\udResearch limitations\udThe narratives were elicited as part of another project and participants were\udnot asked directly about risk: themes reported here were brought up\udspontaneously by participants.\udPractical implications\udIn relation to dementia a wide range of risk/ abuse issues is of concern to\udPwD and their carers, including driving and financial vulnerabilities. PwD and\udcarers are prepared to talk about risk/ abuse when given an opportunity. It is important to investigate and understand experiences and concerns about risk/\udabuse if they are to be addressed in health and social care practice.\udOriginality\udThe narratives offer unique insights into the concerns of PwD and family carers