Våld i nära relation vid demenssjukdom : En kvalitativ intervjustudie om sjuksköterskors erfarenheter

Sammanfattning

Background: Dementia is a leading cause of disability among the elderly population. Many people with dementia are cared for at home by a partner, which may lead to caregiving burden and changes in relationship dynamics. Research indicates that dementia may increase the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, elder abuse is underreported and difficult to identify due to overlapping symptoms with dementia. Nurses play an important role in identifying violence and providing person-centred support to both the person with dementia and their partner. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe nurses´ experiences with identifying intimate partner violence where one partner has dementia. Method: The study was conducted as a qualitative interview study with an inductive approach. Ten registered nurses working in inpatient care were recruited and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Result: The finding showed that the identification of IPV in the presence of dementia was influenced by organizational factors such as routines, care environment, and level of knowledge. Nurses described that suspicions of IPV were often raised by physical injuries, behavioural changes and the dynamics between patient and partner. At the same time, dementia was perceived to complicate the assessment process due to impaired communication abilities and uncertainty regarding the reliability of the information provided. Interprofessional collaboration and cooperation with external actors was highlighted as important to the management of identified cases of IPV. Conclusion: Increased competence, clear routines and team collaboration can increase the possibility of identifying intimate IPV in the presence of dementia.