Dementia Plus Advocate

Dementia Plus Advocate

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone in any relationship, whatever you age, sex gender or sexuality.

Domestic abuse doesn’t stop just because we get older. Sometimes patterns of abuse that happened when we were younger start again as we spend more time together in retirement. Sometimes domestic abuse occurs for the first time as we age.

When one partner gets a diagnosis of dementia, it adds another strain onto the relationship.

Domestic abuse can happen in different ways when someone has dementia. Both people may be at risk of abuse.

In many relationships one or both partners may also have other mobility or health needs, which could increase their risk of harm.

As dementia progresses changes in behaviour, mood and perception may impact on their relationship.

The person with dementia could be the victim of abuse.

The person with dementia could be the person who harms their partner.

Or both the victim and the harmer could have dementia.

Harm to your partner is much more than physical violence and can include emotional, psychological or financial abuse.

It can also include harming someone by withholding medication or food.

Our Dementia Plus Advocate is a specialist IDVA working with victims of abuse who have been diagnosed with dementia or are the partners/carer of someone who has been diagnosed with dementia.

Many older people do not think of themselves as victims of abuse and do not think they can do anything to change their situation.

Whether you are a person living with dementia or a partner/ carer of someone living with dementia, we can assess your risks, work with you to create a safety plan, support you when dealing with professionals, and provide emotional support.

Our Dementia plus advocate can work with you to make big or small changes to make you feel safer and more in control of your situation.