Elder Neglect and the Family

Caregiver neglect is the failure to provide basic necessities to an older adult by an individual who has assumed responsibility to do so. It is the second most common allegation (23.7%) reported to Adult Protective Services in persons 60 years of age and older, according the 2004 survey of State Adult Protective Services. Dementia and depression are risk factors for neglect among other chronic diseases leading to functional decline and the inability for self-care and protection. Caring for persons with dementia is steadily increasing; it can lead to stress, depression, burden, anger, physical illness, and death among caregivers as well as early institutionalization of demented persons. Approximately 75% of in-home caregivers are family members or friends for the estimated three million Americans suffering from dementia ...