A new study found that despite the multiple challenges that married couples face when either one of them has increasing stages of dementia, it was linked to a low likelihood of divorce. On the other hand, older adults who displayed behavioral issues like aggression and agitation were more likely to get divorced than those who had mild behavioral symptoms. The findings were recently published in PLOS One.
“Although divorce may be beneficial for some couples and a matter of safety when there is abuse, in general, divorce has substantial negative consequences for the psychological and financial well-being of individuals. This is particularly the case for older adult women,” the authors of the study wrote. “At the same time, we have seen an increase in dementia prevalence among older adults, with a large literature showing the strain on close relationships that accompanies this disorder.”
The team analyzed data from 37 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the U.S. that were affiliated with the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging. A total of 263 married and live-in couples who got divorced or separated were a part of the study and 1,238 controls who were in the same age group.
All of the participants reported that the most common symptoms they experienced were irritability, anxiety, and depression. “Dementia is one of the most burdensome conditions, making it more interpersonally distressing compared to other types of health conditions,” the authors wrote.
“Often with conditions that do not include cognitive impairment, the spouse with the condition may maintain the capacity to emotionally support the other spouse for the duration of the chronic or degenerative condition. This is not often the case with dementia,” they highlighted. “ It might be that a spouse of a person who is in the later stages of dementia interprets challenging behaviors as stemming from the disease, whereas spouses with partners who are less impaired may see the behaviors as intentional which may be more damaging to the relationship.”
The study further highlights that health care professionals should focus mainly on treating symptoms like aggression, agitation, depression, and even episodes of euphoria in older adults. Doing so will not only improve the individual’s quality of life but also their partner’s, family, and society.
“The geriatric mental health workforce is very small despite the growing demands. There are effective behavioral treatments for each of these symptoms in persons living with cognitive impairment, and some evidence suggests interpersonal effects of treatment,” the researchers wrote.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 55 million people globally have dementia. More than 60% of them reside in low and middle-income countries. Aggression is one of the behaviors that could result from dementia. Among some dementia patients, aggressive behaviors might emerge during the mid-stage of dementia.
The National Institute on Aging suggests says some strategies that might help in coping with aggression include maintaining a daily routine for the patient where they eat, sleep, and take baths at the same time. Soothing music, going on walks, and reducing noise and clutter might also help.
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