Neglect is a type of abuse in that it can be inflicted either by the caregiver or oneself. Signs of neglect include malnutrition and dehydration, poor hygiene, noncompliance to a prescription medication, and unsafe living conditions.In addition to observing signs in the elderly individual,  abuse can also be detected by monitoring changes in the caregivers behavior. For example, the caregiver may not allow them to speak to or receive visitors, exhibit indifference or a lack of affection towards the elder, or refer to the elder as "a burden." Caregivers who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness are more likely to commit elder abuse than other individuals.Abuse can sometimes be subtle and therefore difficult to detect. Regardless, awareness organizations and research advise to take any suspicion seriously and to address concerns adequately and immediately. Signs of elder abuse
Lacks medical aids such as glasses, walker, hearing aids
Displays signs of emotional trauma
Broken eyeglasses/frames, or physical signs of punishment or being restrained
Displays signs of insufficient care or unpaid bills despite adequate financial resources
Broken bones or fractures
Poor physical appearance
Changes in mental status
Frequent infections
Bruising, scratches, welts, or cuts
Unexplained weight loss
Refusal to speak
Signs of dehydration
Lack of cleanliness

Health consequences
The health consequences of elder abuse are serious. Elder abuse can destroy an elderly persons quality of life in the forms of:
Declining functional abilities
Increased dependency, sense of helplessness, and stress
Worsening psychological decline
Premature mortality and morbidity
Depression and dementia
Malnutrition
Bedsores
DeathThe risk of death for elder abuse victims are three times higher than for non-victims.
Risk factors for elder abuse
Various risk factors increase the likelihood that an elderly person will become a victim of elder abuse, including an elderly person who:
Has memory problems (such as dementia)
Has a mental illness, either long-standing or recent
Has physical disabilities
Has depression, loneliness, or lack of social support
Abuses alcohol or other substances
Takes prescribed medications that impair judgment
Is verbally or physically combative with the caregiver
Has a shared living situation
Has a criminal historySeveral other risk factors increase the likelihood that a caregiver will participate in elder abuse, including a caregiver who:
Feels overwhelmed or resentful
Has a history of substance abuse or a history of abusing others
Is dependent on the older person for housing, finances, or other needs
Has mental health problems
Is unemployed
Has a criminal history
Has a shared living situationIn addition:

Lower income or poverty has been found to be associated with elder abuse. Low economic resources have been conceptualized as a contextual or situational stressor contributing to elder abuse. Living with a large number of household members other than a spouse is associated with an increased risk of abuse, especially financial abuse.Risk factors can also be categorized into individual, relationship, community, and sociocultural levels. At the individual level, elders who have poor physical and mental health are at higher risk. At the relationship level, a shared living situation is a huge risk factor for the elderly, and living in the same area as the abuser is more likely to result in abuse. At the community level, caregivers may knowingly or inadvertently cause social isolation of the elderly.