Caregiver Abuse

There are two types of Caregiver Abuse:

1. Caregiver (usually a paid caregiver) abuses a care receiver.  Abuse can range from withholding care to physical violence.


2. Care Receiver abuses caregiver.  Most common is verbal abuse, but there can also be physical abuse.  Frequently abusive behavior develops with dementia, but abuse can also occur without dementia.  The abuse may or may not be related to previous abusive behavior.

Prevention and Response:

1. Caregiver abusing Care Receiver

• Presence – frequent visits, unpredictable schedule of visits, enlist other family members and friends to have other sets of eyes


• Attention – ask questions of care receiver and care staff, be observant, keep inventory, be alert for signs of physical and/or emotional abuse

1. Care Receiver abusing Caregiver

• Develop and use strategies to minimize care receiver agitation.

1. Adult-adult interaction


2. Dementia patient strategies


3. Avoid co-dependence

• Involve medical team in helping manage the situation (particularly psych or social work consult and counseling to develop strategies and work with both caregiver and care receiver).


• Implement alternative caregiving arrangements if abuse continues, particularly if physically threatening (paid caregivers at home, adult day care, etc.)