Self-neglect and neglect of vulnerable older adults: reexamination of etiology.
Using assessment and investigation data from the reported APS cases in Texas, this study examines the types of elder self-neglect and neglect, including medical neglect. It then examines the association between self-neglect and neglect and individual economic resources as well as health care and social service programs for the poor. The findings show that elder self-neglect/neglect is, in large part, attributable to frail older adults' and their families' lack of resources to pay for essential goods and services and the inadequate healthcare and other formal support programs for the older adults and their caregivers. This inadequate public policy coverage, rather than individual and intrafamily risk factors per se, needs to be considered as a significant cause of elder self-neglect/neglect.
Choi
Namkee G
NG
School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-0358, USA. nchoi@mail.utexas.edu
Kim
Jinseok
J
Asseff
Joan
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012648:Self Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*