Self-neglect and its Ethical Challenges among Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Self-neglect is a widespread and less known phenomenon among the elderly living in society. Self neglect may lead to some challenges to elder people, their family and the society. The goal of present study is a systematic review of the literature about self-neglect and ethical challenges related to older adults. A comprehensive literature study was conducted in Grey databases, utilizing EMBASE, Pub Med and SCOPUS, WEB of SCIENCE and ELDER ABUSE & NEGLECT JOURNAL which were published in English from the January of ۱۹۹۴ to ۴ June ۲۰۱۹. Several other ancillary databases were also examined. The quality of the study was evaluated by two independent reviewers from Checklist provided. A total of ۴۳ studies were conducted in this review in accordance with the research criteria. Six themes were identified in this study concluding of Prevalence, awareness and factors associated with elder abuse & self-neglect Ethical consideration; Justice ACT, mental ACT and legal systems; Capacity of making decision & self-neglect; Nursing and care givers & and Dementia and self-neglect. The study provides insight into geriatric health professionals and practitioners about self-neglect and its ethical challenges. Further studies are needed to deepen our understanding of the contribution of self-neglect ethical challenges.

Keywords:

Self-neglect , ethical challenges , older adults , systematic review