Self-neglect among older adults admitted to a Chinese comprehensive hospital in the COVID-19 pandemic era: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

This study aims to explore the prevalence of self-neglect and associated factors among older adults admitted to the hospital in the COVID-19 pandemic context. The cross-sectional study conducted at a Chinese comprehensive hospital between January and April 2021, 452 older adults were recruited to complete the Abrams Geriatric Self-Neglect Scale, Social Support Rate Scale, FRAIL scale, Barthel index, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the factors associated with elder self-neglect. The results showed that the prevalence of self-neglect among our sample was 30.3%. Factors that were associated with the risk of elder self-neglect included male, having multiple children (≥4), receiving infrequent visits from children, frailty, and depression. There is a need to screen for self-neglect among older adults admitted to the hospital in the COVID-19 pandemic context. Tailored interventions are warranted to improve the quality of life of older adults.

KEYWORDS:

• self-neglect
• older adults
• risk factors
• resilience
• COVID-19 pandemic

Acknowledgments

All researchers who have made significant contributions to the work are listed. We also thank patients, families and hospital medical staff for their contributions.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [D, CQ], upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Wenzhou basic scientific research project [grant numbers Y20190156].