Findings of the study show the value and importance of mental-status assessment of victims and sometime perpetrators of elder abuse. Using case studies, some of the psychologist’s skills were found to be specific to a specialist in elder abuse, for example, the assessment of undue influence. Others are more general, such as through a primary care physician for the declaration to support conservatorship proceedings, which may not be available to victims who have no physician, refuse to leave their homes, or whose need for protection is not available through their own medical coverage. The biggest problem is concern of referring the psychologist for a home visit is the willingness of the person targeted for the call to consent to being assessed. However, the well being of the elder abuse victim is of great concern and the potential for failure rarely determines the decision to send the psychologist on a home visit. Only a small amount of home visits are unsuccessful because of refusal or inability to locate the client. From the study sample, 12 of the 87 cases referred for mental status assessments were determined by the local district attorney to be criminal, with 11 resulting in convictions and 6 resulting in probate conservatorships. 1 figure, 1 table and 20 references