title: Medical implications of elder abuse: self-neglect.
abstract: Self-neglect, the most common form of elder mistreatment seen by Adult Protective Service Agencies across the United States, is an often unrecognized geriatric syndrome characterized by squalor and unsafe living circumstances. It is a result of medical, neurologic, or psychiatric disorders coupled with lack of capacity for self-care and self-protection in the absence of necessary services or medical care, and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Clinicians should evaluate self-neglecters and plan interventions based on comprehensive geriatric assessment and capacity assessment. State and federal policies are needed to address the pressing needs of this vulnerable population of seniors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric and Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Reyes-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric and Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Institute, 3601 North MacGregor Way, Houston, TX 77004, USA; Harris Health System, 2525 Holly Hall, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric and Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Institute, 3601 North MacGregor Way, Houston, TX 77004, USA; Harris Health System, 2525 Holly Hall, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
authors.forename: David V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric and Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Institute, 3601 North MacGregor Way, Houston, TX 77004, USA; Harris Health System, 2525 Holly Hall, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Halphen
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric and Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Institute, 3601 North MacGregor Way, Houston, TX 77004, USA; Harris Health System, 2525 Holly Hall, Houston, TX 77054, USA. Electronic address: carmel.b.dyer@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Carmel Bitondo
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Dyer
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012648:Self Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Capacity; Geriatric assessment; Self-neglect; Squalor