Neglect and abuse are two different offenses which each cause harm in different ways. Neglect is the failure of the caregiver to attend to a person's basic needs such as food, water, proper medication, clothing, and attention to the person's physical and mental health needs. In failing to provide these things, neglect can cause injury to a resident. Abuse is the intentional infliction of harm. While neglect is passive, abuse is active, it is done knowingly with the intention to cause pain, injury, or mental anguish in the resident. Learn More