ERIC Number: EJ800856
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jun
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0016-9013
EISSN: N/A
Impairment in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and the Geriatric Syndrome of Self-Neglect
Naik, Aanand D.; Burnett, Jason; Pickens-Pace, Sabrina; Dyer, Carmel B.
Gerontologist, v48 n3 p388-393 Jun 2008
Purpose: We sought to characterize self-neglect definitively as a geriatric syndrome by identifying an association with functional impairment. Design and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional home evaluation of 100 community-living older adults referred by Adult Protective Services for geriatric self-neglect and 100 matched adults from a community geriatrics clinic. We made our assessments by using two manual muscle tests, a timed-gait test, a modified Physical Performance Test (mPPT), and the Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS). Results: Participants in the self-neglect group had impaired mPPT (p less than 0.077) and KELS (p less than 0.001) scores compared with community-controls. Using analysis of covariance models, we found that self-neglect referral explained a significant proportion of the variance in KELS scores (32%; p less than 0.001) but not in mPPT scores (22%; p = 0.49). Implications: The geriatric syndrome of self-neglect is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and appears to be independently associated with impairments in instrumental activities of daily living. The evaluation and treatment of geriatric self-neglect should be consistent with that of other geriatric syndromes.
Descriptors: Physical Fitness, Performance Tests, Older Adults, Geriatrics, Statistical Analysis, Daily Living Skills, Matched Groups, Correlation, Aging (Individuals), Adventitious Impairments, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Gerontology
Gerontological Society of America. 1030 15th Street NW Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-842-1275; Fax: 202-842-1150; e-mail: geron@geron.org; Web site: http://www.geron.org/journals/gsapub.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A