Risk Factors for Abuse and Neglect

Risk factors for abuse and neglect include

• isolation,
• lack of support,
• cognitive impairments (i.e., dementia),
• responsive behavioursG (e.g., verbal or physical aggression),
• living with a person who has a mental illness,
• living with people engaging in excessive consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs,
• dependency on others to complete activities of daily living (including banking),
• recent worsening of health, and
• arguing frequently with relatives.

Caution: The presence of risk factors or signs of abuse and neglect does not mean that a person is experiencing abuse or neglect.