From a public health standpoint elder self-neglect is the most compelling form of elder mistreatment, which includes physical abuse, caregiver and self-neglect and financial exploitation. Self-neglect, the inability to provide for oneself the goods or services to meet basic needs is three times more common than physical abuse or caregiver neglect. Self-neglectors are vulnerable persons who have multiple deficits in a variety of social, functional and physical domains. It is the most commonly reported form of mistreatment; and an independent risk factor for death. The death rate for self-neglectors is two times that of persons never reported to adult protective services. The Texas Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Institute (TEAM) at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is the first state adult protective services-medical school collaboration in the US. TEAM has one of the largest direct care experiences with mistreated elders and is involved in a number of clinical, education and research projects. TEAM and other faculty from multiple BCM departments are forming a consortium to include the University of Houston Schools of Social Work, and the University of Texas Schools of Nursing and Public Health, the University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston) and NASA called the Consortium for Research in Elder Self-neglect of Texas or CREST. Research in self-neglect is very limited. To increase understanding of self-neglect and lay the ground work for future intervention trials we have convened a diverse research group including: geriatricians, nurses, social scientists, epidemiologists, a statistician, a nutritional biochemist, a health economist and an immunologist.
The specific aims are to 1.) Establish a case definition for self-neglect, 2.) Describe the phenotype of self-neglectors, and 3.) Develop the models to explain the relationships among physical, cognitive, and socioeconomic factors. To achieve these aims we will conduct three pilot studies to validate a Self-neglect Severity Scale, assess the feasibility of comprehensive nutritional assessment using NASA methodology and measure muscle strength and APO e4 in self-neglecting elders. We will also form three interdisciplinary working groups, convene a national research conference and appoint a national external advisory board to inform the CREST of elder needs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20RR020626-02
Application #
7171418
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRR1-BT-8 (01))
Project Start
2005-08-01
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2005-08-01
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$145,053
Indirect Cost
Name
Baylor College of Medicine
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
051113330
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
Hansen, Marissa C; Flores, David V; Coverdale, John et al. (2016) Correlates of depression in self-neglecting older adults: A cross-sectional study examining the role of alcohol abuse and pain in increasing vulnerability. J Elder Abuse Negl 28:41-56
Salloway, S; Sperling, R; Gilman, S et al. (2009) A phase 2 multiple ascending dose trial of bapineuzumab in mild to moderate Alzheimer disease. Neurology 73:2061-70
Burnett, Jason; Dyer, Carmel B; Naik, Aanand D (2009) Convergent validation of the Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills as a screening tool of older adults' ability to live safely and independently in the community. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 90:1948-52
Naik, Aanand D; Dyer, Carmel B; Kunik, Mark E et al. (2009) Patient autonomy for the management of chronic conditions: a two-component re-conceptualization. Am J Bioeth 9:23-30
Naik, Aanand D; Lai, James M; Kunik, Mark E et al. (2008) Assessing capacity in suspected cases of self-neglect. Geriatrics 63:24-31
Naik, Aanand D; Teal, Cayla R; Pavlik, Valory N et al. (2008) Conceptual challenges and practical approaches to screening capacity for self-care and protection in vulnerable older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 56 Suppl 2:S266-70
Kelly, P Adam; Dyer, Carmel B; Pavlik, Valory et al. (2008) Exploring self-neglect in older adults: preliminary findings of the self-neglect severity scale and next steps. J Am Geriatr Soc 56 Suppl 2:S253-60
Naik, Aanand D; Burnett, Jason; Pickens-Pace, Sabrina et al. (2008) Impairment in instrumental activities of daily living and the geriatric syndrome of self-neglect. Gerontologist 48:388-93
Mosqueda, Laura; Brandl, Bonnie; Otto, Joanne et al. (2008) Consortium for research in elder self-neglect of Texas research: advancing the field for practitioners. J Am Geriatr Soc 56 Suppl 2:S276-80
Dyer, Carmel Bitondo; Franzini, Luisa; Watson, Mary et al. (2008) Future research: a prospective longitudinal study of elder self-neglect. J Am Geriatr Soc 56 Suppl 2:S261-5

Showing the most recent 10 out of 21 publications