This presentation provides an overview of the existing evidence on suicide risk in family carers of people with dementia. This is a modified version of a presentation delivered at the National Dementia Forum in Brisbane, Australia on 21st September 2013. The research described in this presentation was conducted by Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer, Professor Wendy Moyle, Professor Diego De Leo, Professor Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck, and Sierra Van Wyk. For more information, please contact Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer at Griffith University.

1. Understanding the evidence on suicide risk in family carers of
people with dementia
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer
Research Fellow
Centre for Health Practice Innovation
Griffith University
Australia
s.odwyer@griffith.edu.au
@Siobhan_ODwyer

2. Caring for a person with dementia is more burdensome than
caring for a person with a physical disability
Family carers of people with dementia have higher than
average rates of depression, anxiety, and poor physical health
Depression, anxiety, and poor physical health are all risk
factors for suicide in the general population
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

3. But what about suicide in family
carers of people with dementia?
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

4. O’Dwyer, Moyle, Zimmer-Gembeck & De Leo. (2013).
Suicidal ideation in family carers of people with
dementia: A pilot study. International Journal of
Geriatric Psychiatry (Early View)
The First Study
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

5. 1 in 4
family carers had
contemplated suicide
more than once in the
previous year
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

6. Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

7. One third said they were likely to
attempt suicide in the future
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

8. Higher levels of burden, hopelessness, anxiety & depression
Used more dysfunctional coping strategies
Lower levels of optimism, self-efficacy & social support
Reported more behavioural & psychological symptoms of
dementia
Carers who had contemplated suicide…
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

9. O’Dwyer, Moyle, Van Wyk. (2013). Suicidal ideation
and resilience in family carers of people with dementia:
A pilot qualitative study. Aging and Mental Health,
17(6), 753-760.
The Second Study
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

10. Department name (edit in View > Header and Footer...)
Half had contemplated
suicide while caring for
a person with
dementia
One quarter had
made preparations
for a suicidal act
None had
attempted suicide
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

11. I was just so tired that I just
wanted to sleep. I didn’t want
to die. I’ve never wanted to
die. I just wanted to get off
the merry-go-round. I just
wanted it all to stop.
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

12. A couple of times there I thought about
how I could get away with bumping
myself off…because my insurance and all
that stuff would’ve set my wife up forever
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

13. I can’t abandon her.
Everybody else has.
I would never do
that to her. That
sense of ‘she
needs me, so you
don’t abandon a
baby’ is stronger
than the need
for me to do
anything to myself
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

14. Pre-existing mental health problems
Comorbid physical health problems
Conflict with family or care staff
Risk Factors
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

15. It’s almost like
something’s pulling
me down and I could
do so much more if I
didn’t have that
(depression)
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

16. I was being pushed into a
corner by the care staff and
it was even mentioned at
one point “we’ll revoke your
enduring power of attorney
and we will put him under
guardianship”
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

17. I just so envy the ones at the
nursing home who have three
sisters and a whole lot of people
sharing it. But then we’ve never had
that. I don’t know what it is to have
a ‘whole’ family.
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

18. Practical coping strategies
Personal characteristics
(e.g. compassion, flexibility, determination)
Social support
Faith
Resilience Factors
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

19. Attempted suicides?
Deaths by suicide?
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

20. Lessons for Clinical & Community Practice
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

21. 1. It’s important to ask about suicide*
*but you must be prepared to handle the response
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

22. www.mhfa.com.au
www.livingworks.com.au/Training-Programs.html
2. Improve your skills…
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

23. 3. Refer carers in crisis to…
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013

24. For more information
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer
Email: s.odwyer@griffith.edu.au
Twitter: @Siobhan_ODwyer
Acknowledgements
Dementia Collaborative Research Centres @DementiaCRC
Carers Queensland @CarersQLD
Wendy Moyle @WendyMoyle2
Diego De Leo
Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck