title: Self-neglect in the case of the elderly. Where are we now?
abstract: Self-neglect in an elderly person is a behavior that threatens his/her own health and safety. It is present when a person refuses to adequately feed, water, shelter, or clothe himself, refuses medication or medical care, and personal safety measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a multicentric study of self-neglect in three geriatric units from Finland, Greece and Romania The medical, social, psychological and behavioral profile analysis was based on a questionnaire; this questionnaire relied on existing studies and social, economic and medical facts in the three countries. The cognitive function, nutritional status, and the presence or absence of depression have also been assessed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data obtained until now support the importance of self-neglect among the elderly. The social-medical network should not only identify, diagnose, prevent, and treat the elderly affected by the phenomenon of self-neglect, but also educate the society to help them and, moreover, to prevent their marginalization.
authors.affiliation: Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iaşi, School of Medicine, Romania.
authors.forename: Ioana Dana
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Alexa
authors.forename: Adina Carmen
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ilie
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alexandroaie
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costin
authors.forename: Papaioannou
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Emmanouil-Stamos
authors.forename: Ismo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Räihä
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires