Cross-Sectional Study of the Characteristics of Reported Elder Self-Neglect in a Community-Dwelling Population: Findings from a Population-Based Cohort

Abstract

Background: Elder self-neglect is an important public health issue. However, little is known about the characteristics of self-neglect and its association with social factors among community-dwelling populations. Objectives: (1) To examine the sociodemographic, health-related and psychosocial characteristics of reported elder self-neglect; (2) to examine the association of social network and social engagement with reported self-neglect. Methods: Population-based study conducted from 1993 to 2005 of community-dwelling subjects (n = 9,056) participating in the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP). Subsets of the CHAP subjects (n = 1,812) were identified for suspected self-neglect by the social services agency, which also assessed the severity. This reported group was compared with the unreported group in the CHAP across the sociodemographic, health-related and psychosocial variables. Logistical regressions were used to assess the association of social factors and self-neglect. Results: Older age, women, African-Americans, and those with lower education or lower income were more likely to be reported for self-neglect. Those reported for self-neglect were more likely to have lower levels of cognitive and physical function, nutritional status, psychosocial function and a higher number of medical comorbidities. After adjusting for confounders, lower levels of social network and social engagement were significantly associated with an increased risk of reported self-neglect. Among the reported cases of self-neglect, the study found increased trends of older age, women, African-American, lower income, lower cognitive and physical function, lower social engagement and a higher number of chronic medical conditions with self-neglect severity. Conclusion: Reported self-neglect elders have multiple sociodemographic, health- related and psychosocial characteristics that are different than elders not reported. Lower levels of social network and social engagement were associated with increased risk of self-neglect.

A cross-sectional population-based study of elder self-neglect and psychological, health, and social factors in a biracial community

“…Thus, current knowledge of the association of elder self-neglect with psychological, health, and social factors in the general population is highly limited. In addition, prior studies suggest that black older adults are more frequently reported to social services agency for elder self-neglect (Dong, Simon, & Evans, 2009b). However, we are not aware of any studies that have examined the black and white differences in these associations in a racially/ethnically diverse population.…”

“…Severity of self neglect is scored along this continuum using a 0-45 scale, based on the concerns for personal health and safety issues. Details of the self-neglect severity scale have been published previously (Dong et al, 2009a;2009b;Dong, Mendes de Leon, & Evans, 2009c). In brief, the self-neglect severity was measured based on the degree of unmet…”

The prevalence of elder abuse and associated factors among the elderly in Kashan city, Iran

“…Studies reveal that abuse may cause mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, and decreases the life quality of the elderly (8,13,14). Dong`s studies in Chicago showed that the elderly who encountered abuse had higher level of depression in comparison with the others (13,15). According to the National Center on Elder Abuse of the USA, out of 10 American elderly, one experiences abuse, annually; while just one out of 14 is reported (16,17).…”

“…Cultural differences influence elder abuse according to different reports (10). Age, sex, unemployment, insurance situation, education, level of depression, chronic disease and disabilities are among the factors associated with abuse (2,15,23,27). Considering the impact of culture on elder abuse, diversity of the Iranian culture and national healthcare system, the important role of this subject on health promotion and improving quality of life in elderly and insufficient information in this issue motivated the researchers to design and conduct a study to determine the level of abuse and its associated factors among the elderly of Kashan city, Iran.…”

Prevalence of Self-Neglect across Gender, Race, and Socioeconomic Status: Findings from the Chicago Health and Aging Project

“…Moreover, social services agency data suggest that minority older adults and those with lower levels of socioeconomic status may be at higher risk of being reported to authorities for these behaviors [4,9,10] . However, there remain significant gaps in our current understanding of the scope of these issues in representative populations.…”