Final answer:
Neglect is a form of maltreatment characterized by the failure to provide essential care, most commonly seen in children and the elderly. It includes various forms such as physical, medical, and emotional neglect, with children and the elderly being particularly vulnerable. Interventions may be necessary when caregivers fail to make use of available resources for the dependent's well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maltreatment under the category of neglect refers to the failure of a caregiver to meet the essential needs of the person they are responsible for. This can include various forms such as physical, emotional, medical neglect, or even educational neglect when a child's basic needs for development are not addressed. In children, neglect is the most common form of abuse, accounting for 78.3 percent of cases, followed by physical and sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, and medical neglect.
Infants are particularly vulnerable to neglect due to their complete dependence on caregivers for all aspects of care. Factors contributing to neglect can include poverty, cultural values, and community standards of care, which may differ and lead to varying levels of what is considered adequate care. Interventions occur when information and assistance are available, yet a parent or caregiver fails to utilize these resources for the child's welfare.
In the context of elder abuse, neglect is identified alongside other types such as physical, sexual, psychological abuse, and financial exploitation. Elderly neglect happens when an older person's caretaker intentionally deprives them of care or harms them. Caregivers could be family members, friends, health professionals, or employees of senior housing or nursing care facilities.