RISK FACTORS AND
RED FLAGS OF ELDER ABUSE

RISK FACTORS OF ELDER ABUSE

• The victim has dementia

• The perpetrator and/or the victim has mental health and/or substance abuse issues

• Social isolation

• Poor physical health, which increases vulnerability and thereby may increase risk

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Learn More:

Administration on Aging. (2012) How to Answer Those Tough Questions about Elder Abuse. 

RED FLAGS OF ELDER ABUSE

• Sudden changes in the elder’s appearance: poor hygiene, dressed improperly for the weather, sunken eyes, bedsores, loss of weight.

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• Sudden changes in the elder’s personality; increased or unreasonable levels of anxiety, fearfulness and/or depression.

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• The elder becomes uncommunicative and unresponsive.

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• Sudden or swift decline in the health; malnourishment or sudden loss of weight.

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• Visible injury that has not been cared for, or cannot be explained with a realistic explanation.

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• A change in routine, no longer attending events or participating in events enjoyed in the past.

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• Social isolation/ not allowed to visit alone. Sudden loss of ability to meet financial obligations.

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• Going without things the elder needs or has always had in the past.

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• The elder states that they have had conflicts or problems with their caregiver and/or they use coded disclosures.

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Learn More:

National Center on Elder Abuse. (2015) Red Flags of Abuse.