Research assessment of elder neglect and its risk factors in a hospital setting

Background: The aims of this experiment were to assess the rate of neglect in hospitalized patients and to identify risk factors for neglect. Methods: During 2004-2006, patients aged 70 years and older hospitalized in internal departments were screened for signs of neglect. Principal caregivers were interviewed too. Results: Signs of neglect were identified in 14.1% of the patients. Neglected patients differed from the non-neglected in level of education and had poorer economic status and more frailty, lower albumin level, higher incontinence problem and higher subjective caregiving burden reported by their caregivers. Mean risk scores, based on patients' and caregivers' risk indicators, were higher in the neglect group. Conclusion: Health, functional and psychosocial factors correlated to the presence of neglect. These factors should be used as warning signs to draw attention to professional help.