There are many reasons why abuse
occurs and these may vary with each incident. Many of its causes are
not yet fully understood.
Abuse may range from a spontaneous outburst to systematic premeditated assaults on an older
person.
At home some of
the causes would appear to include:
poor
quality long term relationships
a carer’s
inability to provide the level of care required
a pattern of family violence exists or has existed in the past
a carer with mental or
physical health problems
social isolation of the family member
In other settings abuse may be a symptom of a poorly
run establishment. It is also
likely to occur when staff
are:
