Elder self-neglect (ESN) represents half or more of all cases reported to adult protective services. ESN directly affects older adults and also their families, neighbors, and the larger communities around them. ESN has public health implications and is associated with higher than expected mortality rates, hospitalizations, long-term care placements, and localized environmental and safety hazards. This webinar begins by describing results from a study using concept mapping to create a conceptual model of ESN and the items needed to measure it.

Elder self-neglect (ESN) represents half or more of all cases reported to adult protective services. ESN directly affects older adults and also their families, neighbors, and the larger communities around them. ESN has public health implications and is associated with higher than expected mortality rates, hospitalizations, long-term care placements, and localized environmental and safety hazards. This webinar begins by describing results from a study using concept mapping to create a conceptual model of ESN and the items needed to measure it. On this webinar, presenters will discuss findings from a study that resulted in the development of the Elder Self-Neglect Assessment (ESNA). The tool was field-tested by social workers, case managers, and adult protective services providers from 13 Illinois agencies. ESNA indicators of self-neglect align into two broad categories: behavioral characteristics and environmental factors, which must be accounted for in a comprehensive evaluation. Discussion will focus on the clustering of items into the two categories and on the hierarchy of items which should represent severity of self-neglect. (NOTE: the webinar recording begins on slide 3 of the slide handout. Introductory remarks are excluded due to recording technical difficulties). (Materials: slide presentation)