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In almost every U.S. jurisdiction, elder self‐neglect is the most common allegation addressed by Adult Protective Service (APS) agencies. Not only is self‐neglect common, but this form of mistreatment is an independent risk factor for death. A lack of understanding of the precipitating factors and root causes and of the effect on social and medical systems persists in this field. Research in this area has been limited, because the needs of these vulnerable elderly people are complex and diverse. Moreover, these factors encompass interrelated medical, psychiatric, economic, social, and functional problems.

In 2004, the National Institutes of Health Interdisciplinary Roadmap Initiative provided the means for preliminary exploration of elder self‐neglect through the formation of the Consortium for Research in Elder Self‐neglect of Texas (CREST). The goals of CREST include to conduct pilot studies, form interdisciplinary …