Historically, various forms of family violence have been conceptualized as distinct phenomenon. However, recent research indicates that such a division is artificial and that the various forms of family violence tend to co-exist.1This article utilizes literature from the field of spouse abuse in an attempt to explain the high rate of maltreatment directed at dementia sufferers by their caregivers and demonstrates a possible relationship between spouse abuse and the abuse of dementia sufferers by their caregivers. Future research efforts should seek to explore connections among the many forms of family violence.
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