"Caregiver stress increases the risk of elder abuse."

The stress experienced by caregivers can be a key factor in abusive behaviours towards the individuals with dementia. Caregivers with depression or anxiety are higher risks for mistreatment of the individual with dementia (Wiglesworth, 2010). Mistreatment can be the result of action, as in the case of psychological and physical abuse, or non-action, as in the case of neglect (Wiglesworth, 2010). These forms of abuse often occur within the same caregiving relationship but certain stress-related factors increase the risk for certain forms of abuse.

Caregivers suffering from stress-induced depression have greater difficulty completing tasks effectively (Merluzzi, 2011: 16). In more extreme cases, this results in neglect of the individual with dementia. Neglect is more likely from caregivers who have fewer social interactions (Wiglesworth, 2010). They are least able to manage their stress and instead limit their interactions with the apparent source of the stress - the individual with dementia.

Psychological abuse is usually the most commonly reported form of abuse, although statistical rates vary widely across studies (Wiglesworth, 2010). Psychological abuse includes intimidating, threatening or verbally abusing the individual (Johannesen, 2013: 293). Caregivers who perceive a greater burden are more likely to engage in these types of abusive behaviours (Wiglesworth, 2010). As they become increasingly wearied at the apparent impossibility of their task, such caregivers may vent their frustration on the care recipient, who they perceive as the source of their problems.

Physical abuse is often reported as a response to violent behaviour on the part of the care recipient (Pillemer, 1992: 168). When the individual with dementia is exhibiting physically aggressive behaviours, the caregiver is more likely to respond with physically abusive behaviour (Wiglesworth, 2010). Poor emotional health is also correlated with the presence of physical abuse towards the care recipient (Wiglesworth, 2010). Difficult behaviour and the stress it causes are significant factors in the occurrence of elder abuse. Reducing their prevalence would significantly reduce the risk of elder abuse.