Self‐neglect co‐occurs with and is a risk factor for elder mistreatment: An analysis of Maine Adult Protective Services Administrative Data

Elder mistreatment is abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurring in a relationship involving an expectation of trust.1 Yearly, 10%–14% of community dwelling older adults experience mistreatment, with only 15% of cases being reported to Adult Protective Services (APS) for investigation.2 Self-neglect (not defined as elder mistreatment) comprises 50% of APS investigations and 65% of substantiated APS cases.3 How self-neglect relates to other forms of mistreatment is not well understood.APS data were analyzed to delineate the relationship between self-neglect and elder mistreatment. Self-neglect as a risk factor for elder mistreatment has important implications for policy, practice, and the prevention of future harms.