Is it really assault?

I think you're right nellie, training is a vital issue for staff and patients in hospitals, care homes and home care. Also for local authority people involved with dementia patients.

An assault is how it is perceived by the victim. Of course people with dementia may be afraid and may lash out without any intention to hurt but the person may be hurt nevertheless. Its not OK to be injured in the course of your work. It should be recorded as stated by riverwalk and nelliemoser for training purposes and to indicate staffing requirements.

I think they should be reported, it is an indication for staffing issues. Not enough staff or staff not properly trained to manage potentially aggressive dementia patients,

Yes, IMO it is assault if a patient with dementia attacks you. Of course they can't be held responsible but it's still an assault and no less painful!

I assume for statistical purposes there is a sub-category of the type of patient/circumstances.

I do agree kitty one of mum's carers once showed me a bruise on her upper arm telling me mum had assaulted her, I was horrified. I later discovered mum had held on to the carers arm too tightly when she was helping her stand.This was recorded as assault because although unintentional it resulted in injury.
Those who lash out when they are confused by dementia or indeed brain injury cannot be held responsible.

I'm not quite in that age category but I have to admit that last week I felt the urge to verbally assault some NHS staff myself. Luckily I held back, but when I tried to get the attention of ward staff to get help for an elderly (even more elderly) friend in hospital only to find all the ward staff gossiping at the nursing station, ignoring the bell, it was touch and go.

You are probably correct about the dementia Kitty but also perhaps the older we get the less we are prepared to put up with bad 'service' ???

When my mother was in hospital not long before she died she was not strong physically, but her normal feisty self. A nurse was trying to do something that mum didn't like, so pushed her hand away. This was recorded as assault. How ridiculous!

just wondered if 'verbal' assault comes in that 50%, I agree for those patients its isnt intentiol but regardless of the dementia and confusion they are still classed as assaults.