Final answer:
Being frail to the point of dependency on care puts an elder at a higher risk of being abused.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elder abuse can be influenced by several factors, but one characteristic that puts an elder at a higher risk of being abused is being frail to the point of dependency on care. When an elder is unable to take care of themselves and relies heavily on a caregiver for their daily needs, they become vulnerable to mistreatment. Caregivers may exploit the elder's dependency and intentionally neglect or harm them. This puts them at a higher risk of experiencing abuse.