Elder neglect differs from other forms of abuse because it is not always intentional. It happens when caregivers fail to fulfill their obligations to provide for senior & elderly individuals in nursing homes and other facilities. The other thing about neglect is that it can build up over time and not be noticed until it is too late. The U.S. Justice Department pointed out that caregiver neglect is likely the most prevalent kind of senior & elder abuse, and only one of every 57 cases is ever recorded. That's a terrible rate of underreporting, and it means perpetrators are often not held accountable for such serious actions.