(August 4, 2009 - Insidermedicine) Elderly individuals who are believed to suffer from abuse or self-neglect are at increased risk of dying, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Here is some information about elder self-neglect and abuse:

•    It refers to a situation in which elderly people cannot or will not perform adequate self-care

•    It refers to doing something or failing to do something that results in harm or risk of harm to an elderly person

•    It can occur in the home, among family, as well as in institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago looked at rates of reported elder abuse and self-neglect among nearly 10,000 individuals aged 65 or older. Over a 12-year period, the investigators analyzed whether reported incidences of self-neglect or abuse influenced survival rates.

Those who were reported to social services for suffering from self-neglect were nearly 6 times more likely to die over a one-year period. Those for whom abuse was reported were nearly 40% more likely to die.

Today's research demonstrates how abuse and self-neglect can impact survival rates among elderly individuals.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.