Three major themes emerged from the findings. First, intervention in cases of elder abuse is very time-consuming, with social workers making an average of 17 contacts with the victim and others involved in the situation between the time of the report and case closure. While the Illinois elder abuse program was relatively new at the time these data were collected, over half the victims at substantial risk at intake saw a reduction in risk by case closure. Victims most likely to have reduced risk of being abused included those with Alzheimer's Disease or who were disoriented. Those who remained at high risk were those with a long history of being abused and those whose abusers were financial or chemically dependent on them. Substance abuse of the abuser, a factor unlikely to change over time, was a major predictor of high-risk situations at intake. Unless interventions target the abuser's drug-related problems, the victim's situation is unlikely to improve. 33 tables, 6 figures, and 9 references