Elder Self-Neglect Is Associated With Increased Risk for Elder Abuse in a Community-Dwelling Population

Objective: We examined the relationship between self-neglect and risk for subsequent elder abuse report to social services agency. Method: Population-based cohort study conducted Chicago. Primary predictor was elder self-neglect at baseline without concurrent elder abuse. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess independent associations of elder self-neglect with the risk of subsequent elder abuse using time-varying covariate analyses. Results: Of 10,333 participants, 1,460 were reported for self-neglect and 180 were reported for elder abuse. The median time from self-neglect to elder abuse was 3.5 years. In multivariable analyses, elder self-neglect was associated with increased risk for subsequent elder abuse (odds ratio, OR, 1.75[1.18-2.59]). Elder self-neglect was also associated with increased risk for subsequent caregiver neglect (OR, 2.09[1.24-3.52]), financial exploitation (OR, 1.73[1.01-2.95]), and multiple forms of elder abuse (HR, 2.06[1.22-3.48]). Conclusion: Elder self-neglect report is associated with increased risk for subsequent elder abuse report to social services agency.