The Bi-directional Relationship between Trauma and Dementia: A Co-Produced Exploration of Why Trauma-and-Violence-Informed Dementia Care Matters

Parallel 4

18 November, 2026 12:00 – 1:10 pm

Technology, Taboos and Open Conversations

Mary-Joy Albutt

 Nurse consultant (neurocognitive disorders); PhD student, University of Worcester 

 Aim to Get Better 

About

Martin Robertson; Gill Ashington

  

  

About

Summary

Studies suggest a bi-directional relationship between trauma and dementia.
People who have experienced trauma are up to twice as likely to develop a dementia in later life, whilst people living with a dementia may experience previously unrecognised symptoms of past trauma. In this co-produced presentation, a dementia nurse consultant and two people with lived experience of both dementia and trauma combine research evidence with lived experience. We will explore why a knowledge of the relationship between these two conditions is essential, the negative impact that day to day care activities could have on a person living with dementia and trauma, and why truly person-centred dementia care is unachievable without a trauma-and-violence-informed lens

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