Behavioural changes and perceived criminal offending: an exploratory study of accounts from carers of people living with dementia.

Many people with dementia, especially those with younger age of onset and frontotemporal dementia, experience changes in behaviour and personality, including disinhibition, socially inappropriate behaviour and aggression. These behaviours can lead to contact with law enforcement personnel where there are criminal offending concerns. To date, little research has explored carers' experiences of such situations. This article reports on an exploratory interview study, conducted in Australia, with nine carers of people with dementia and two people living with a diagnosis. The study revealed behaviours that posed risks of harm, including verbal abuse, physical aggression, alleged shoplifting, unsafe driving and public behaviours perceived as odd or threatening. Responses included limiting the social participation of the person with dementia, bans on attending community venues, detention by police/security and, in some cases, charges. Carers offered suggestions for how behaviours and anti-therapeutic responses could be prevented through improved education and supports.