Carers contemplating suicide

One in four people who provide care for a family member with dementia have contemplated suicide more than once in the past year.

Research from Griffith University, published this week in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, also revealed one third of those carers said it was likely they would attempt suicide in the future.

“We have known for a long time that caring for a person with dementia can lead to depression, anxiety, and poor physical health, but no one had ever asked about suicide,” Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, study leader and a research fellow from Griffith’s Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation, said.

Researchers surveyed a sample of 120 Australian and American carers and found they were contemplating suicide at more than eight times the rate of the general population.

About 300,000 Australians have dementia and the majority of them live in the community – not in nursing homes. They are cared for by spouses or adult children.

About 200,000 Australians are  caring for a person with dementia and some of these spend more than 40 hours per week providing care that includes feeding, dressing, showering and toileting.

Dr O’Dwyer said the findings provided an important basis for future research.

“Larger studies will be required to confirm these findings and explore this issue in more depth, but what this research shows is that a significant number of carers are already at risk. They are really struggling and could die by suicide if they don’t get the support they need,” she said.

The research was funded by a Project Grant from the Griffith Health Institute. Dr O’Dwyer is supported by the Dementia Collaborative Research Centres.

Carers Queensland chief executive, Debra Cottrell, acknowledged the social contribution made by family carers.

“Family carers do a remarkable job. It’s imperative more is done to support and improve carers’ emotional health and wellbeing,” Ms Cottrell said.

Carers who are contemplating suicide can call Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Callback Service (1300 659 467). Carers who need support can contact the Carers Association in their state (1800 242 636) or the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (1800 052 222).