AI Insight
This study analyzed data from 40,000+ dementia caregivers and found that 40.6% live in households with firearms, higher than non-caregivers (35.1%). Among firearm-owning caregiver households, 35.8% store guns loaded and half of those keep them unlocked, with older caregivers (65+) being 5.4 times more likely to report unlocked storage than younger caregivers. Male caregivers and those providing longer-term or household-task assistance showed safer storage practices, though protective effects varied by age.
Why it matters
People with dementia face elevated suicide and injury risks, making loaded and unlocked firearms in their households a significant safety concern. These findings suggest healthcare providers should implement age-tailored firearm safety counseling for dementia caregivers, particularly targeting older male caregivers who may be at highest risk for unsafe storage practices.
Understand the Science
by Jiaming Liang, Alexander Testa
Purpose
Firearm access in dementia caregiving households poses safety risks. This study examines household firearm ownership and storage practices among dementia caregivers, identifying factors associated with unsafe firearm storage.
Methods
We analyzed pooled data from 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Weighted logistic regression assessed associations between caregiver characteristics and firearm storage behaviors (unloaded vs. loaded, locked vs. unlocked).
Results
Dementia caregivers were more likely to live in firearm-owning households than non-caregivers (40.57% vs. 35.12%). Among caregivers in firearm-owning households, 35.8% reported loaded storage, and 50.8% of those also reported unlocked storage. Older caregivers are more likely to report unlocked firearm storage (50–64 years: OR=3.74, 95%CI: 1.75–8.01; 65 + years: OR=5.39, 95%CI: 2.02–14.40; reference: 5 years: OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.16–0.78) and assisting with household tasks (OR=0.27, 95%CI: 0.11–0.63) were associated with safer storage, though this protective effect was only observed among younger caregivers.
Conclusion
Household firearm storage patterns among dementia caregivers varied by caregiver age, sex, and caregiving context, highlighting the need for tailored firearm-safety counseling and caregiver-focused public health strategies.
Source: Unsafe firearm storage among family caregivers of older persons living with dementia