Developing evidence-informed resources and strategies
to improve practices and policy.
Publications
Ries, N., & Kumfor, F. (2025). Behavioural changes and perceived criminal offending: an exploratory study of accounts from carers of people living with dementia. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2025.2568402
This article reports on an exploratory interview study, conducted in Australia, with nine carers of people with dementia and two people living with a diagnosis. The study revealed behaviours that posed risks of harm, including verbal abuse, physical aggression, alleged shoplifting, unsafe driving and public behaviours perceived as odd or threatening. Responses included limiting the social participation of the person with dementia, bans on attending community venues, detention by police/security and, in some cases, charges. Carers offered suggestions for how behaviours and anti-therapeutic responses could be prevented through improved education and supports.
Ries, Nola; Callaghan, Sascha; Chelberg, Kristina; Rose, Evelyn; Kumfor, Fiona (2025). Legal Issues for People Living with Young Onset Dementia in Australia. University of Technology Sydney. Report. https://doi.org/10.71741/4pyxmbnjaq.30021721.v1
This report examines legal issues and their implications specific to young onset dementia. The circumstances and needs of people with young onset dementia, and those who support them, are often different from those of older people.
Somes, Teresa; Ries, Nola; Callaghan, Sascha; Carnemolla, Phillippa; Lorber-Kasunic, Jacqueline; Debono, Deborah; et al. (2025). Behaviours in the context of dementia: insights from safeguarding, health and advocacy services.. University of Technology Sydney. Report. https://doi.org/10.71741/4pyxmbnjaq.29945432.v1
This research report examines behavioural symptoms in people living with dementia that can lead to safety concerns, abuse allegations, and police involvement, analyzing data from three major Australian sources including carer surveys, safeguarding cases, and specialist behavior support services.
Kumfor F, Wei G, Ries N, Bennett H, D'Mello M, Kaizik C, Piguet O, Hodges JR. Examining the propensity and nature of criminal risk behaviours in frontotemporal dementia syndromes and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2024 Apr 11;16(2):e12577. doi: 10.1002/dad2.12577. PMID: 38605995; PMCID: PMC11007792.
This publication introduces the Misdemeanours and Transgressions Screener as a new tool to assess criminal risk behaviours. It's application in dementia populations show that criminal risk behaviours are common across subtypes and may be one of the first clinical signs of frontotemporal dementia.
Ries, N., Callaghan, S., & Kumfor, F. (2023). Criminal risk behaviours in people with dementia-Stakeholder Workshop Report.
​This document reports on a workshop that was convened at the University of Technology Sydney in June 2023 to bring together representatives from stakeholder organisations and professions around the complex issue of criminal risk behaviours that may occur among people living with dementia in the community.