title: The prevalence of elder self-neglect in a community-dwelling population: hoarding, hygiene, and environmental hazards.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the prevalence of self-neglect and its specific behaviors in a community-dwelling population of older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based cohort study conducted between 2007 and 2010 rated participant's personal and home environment, particularly with regard to hoarding, personal hygiene, house in need of repair, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate utility. Prevalence estimates were presented across health-related variables of health status, physical function, and cognitive function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 4,627 older adults (1,645 men and 2,982 women). Prevalence of self-neglect in older adults increased with lower health status in both men (4.7% in very good/excellent health, 7.9% in good health, and 14.9% in fair/poor health) and women (4.5% in very good/excellent health, 7.9% in good health, and 10.6% in fair/poor health). For those with ≥3 Katz impairments, the prevalence of self-neglect in older adults was 12.8% in men and 13.8% in women. For those with MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) ≤20, the prevalence of self-neglect in older adults was 18.8% in men and 13.6% in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-neglect was clearly prevalent among older adults, especially among those with lower health status and physical and cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. xinqi_dong@rush.edu
authors.forename: XinQi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mosqueda
authors.forename: Denis A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D060845:Hoarding; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care