Final answer:
Several factors increase the likelihood of elder abuse, including caregiver depression, paid caregivers, history of being abused, financial dependency on the elder, frailty, and dementia. Elder abuse prevalence is roughly one in ten elderly individuals, and commonly, caregivers commit the abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conditions that increase the likelihood of an elder being abused or neglected are multifaceted. Research has shown a history of depression in the caregiver can increase the risk of elder abuse. Additionally, neglect is more likely when care is provided by paid caregivers. It has also been found that caregivers who have a history of being abused, particularly in childhood, may have a higher tendency to perpetrate abuse against elders.
Financial dependence on the elder by family members, such as an adult child depending on an elderly parent's income, is a factor that can predispose to physical abuse. Furthermore, elder abuse is more likely to occur in scenarios where the elderly are frail and dependent on care or have the ability to bestow a large inheritance, possibly enticing exploitation. Elderly individuals suffering from health issues like dementia are also at a higher risk. In terms of prevalence, studies indicate that about one in ten elderly people have experienced some form of abuse. It is worth noting that elder abuse is most often perpetrated by caregivers, rather than strangers or others outside their immediate care circle.