Factors increasing the likelihood of abuse to a demented patient:
(1) severe stress in the caregiver
(2) psychiatric disorder in the caregiver
(3) a pre-existing abusive relationship between patient and caregiver
(4) misunderstanding by the caregiver about the nature of dementia, including the belief that patient has control over the condition
(5) intense provocation caused by the unremitting, disturbed behavior of the patient
(6) caregiver ignorance of strategies to deal with provocations
(7) desire for revenge for recent injuries caused by the patient
(8) desire for revenge for past injuries caused by the patient
(9) deliberate cruelty by the caregiver
(10) exploitation of patient by the caregiver for financial gain
The identification of one or more of these risk factors may allow social workers or other care workers to intervene before injury occurs.
