Analysis of Self‐Neglect in Older Patients With a High Risk of Falls Treated in the Outpatient Department

ABSTRACT Background Self‐neglect of older people can increase their risk of falls, fractures, etc., and has become a major global public health problem. Purpose To investigate the current situation and factors influencing self‐neglect in older patients at high risk of falls in the outpatient department, and to provide a reference for interventions to address self‐neglect in older patients at high risk of falls. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on 313 older patients with a high risk of falls in outpatient clinics by using a general information questionnaire, the Older People Self‐neglect Assessment Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Daily Living Ability Scale and the Revised Fall Efficacy Scale. Results 20.12% of older patients at high risk of falls in the outpatient department had self‐neglect. Male patients accounted for 53.0%; female patients accounted for 47.0%. The average total score for self‐neglect was 6 (range: 3–11). The results of a multi‐factor analysis showed that the mode of living, hearing, eating habits, participation in social activities, activities of daily living score, and revised fall efficacy scale were the main factors influencing self‐neglect in older patients with a high risk of falls ( p < 0.05). Conclusions The self‐neglect of older patients admitted to our outpatient clinics was relatively low. Medical workers and their families should pay more attention to the older patients with a high risk of falling who live alone, have poor hearing, consume a poor diet, have lower participation in social activities, have lower activities of daily living and lower fall efficiency, and should take targeted measures to reduce the self‐neglect of these individuals to prevent the occurrence of falls in future.