Systematic research is also needed to examine the psychological
well-being of the potential perpetrators, and
the characteristics, relations, settings and contexts with
respect to elder abuse victims. Traditionally, it has been
very difficult for researchers to enroll and survey the potential
perpetrator(s) for scientific research, especially regarding
their psychological well-being. In addition, potential
perpetrators of elder abuse may or may not live in
the same household and/or geographic areas as suspected
elder abuse victims. Moreover, sometimes when abusive
acts occur, there is no way to identify or track the potential
perpetrator(s), especially in the case of financial exploitation
and gray-line boundaries between caregiver
neglect and self-neglect.