An older adult diagnosed with dementia lives with family in a rural area. During the week, this adult attends a day care center while the family is at work. In the evenings, members of the family provide care. Which factor makes this adult most vulnerable to abuse?

A. A busy family may experience stress, but this alone is not the greatest risk factor for abuse. B. Multiple caregivers can sometimes create inconsistency in care, but it is not the primary factor. C. Rural living may limit access to resources, but dementia itself poses a greater risk. D. Dementia (especially Alzheimer’s disease) significantly increases vulnerability to abuse because of impaired memory, communication, and judgment, which limit the ability to report or stop mistreatment.