Abstract
In the U.S., self-neglect is the most commonly reported form of elder abuse and neglect and typically falls under the purview of a state’s adult protective service (APS) system. This study examines the state of existing laws, policies and programs that address elder self-neglect in the U.S. in an effort to better understand how self-neglect reporting and response is handled, particularly in states where APS does not have oversight. In order to examine existing policies, we researched state statutes regarding elder abuse and conducted interviews with key stakeholders in states that did not have a clear definition of self-neglect, or states that did not respond to elder self-neglect with APS. While the inclusion of self-neglect into the broad category of elder abuse and neglect is often perceived as vital for service provision, findings indicate it may exacerbate the challenges inherent in defining and conceptualizing both the term and its response.
Presenters
Kelly MelekisAssociate Professor and MSW Program Coordinator, Social Work, University of Vermont, Vermont, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Public Policy and Public Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Elder Self-Neglect, Adult Protection, Policy Research
