A Glance at the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Elder Neglect: A Systematic Review

Elder neglect is one of the most common forms of abuse of older people that usually receives little attention. Existing studies on elder neglect vary widely in their definitions, methods, and reported prevalence. By synthesizing this heterogeneous evidence, a systematic review can provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the scope of the problem, identify consistent risk factors, and reveal gaps in current research. This systematic literature review aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of elder neglect. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus up to January 2026 for studies published in the English language measuring the prevalence and risk factors of neglect in older adults. The quality of the evidence was assessed by two reviewers independently using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools. A total of 109 studies were included in this review. The prevalence rates of neglect among older adults ranged from -0.2% to 86.9%. The risk factors of neglect identified by these studies involved sociodemographic characteristics, health-related characteristics, psychological and social characteristics. Neglect is a widespread and often overlooked issue among older adults living in the community, with only a small portion being identified. Our review offers healthcare professionals insight into neglect and its risk factors, aiding in the development of social policies to prevent elder neglect. Also, this review informs stakeholders, guiding prevention, caregiver support, resource allocation, and research to improve elder neglect detection and intervention. These include social workers, caregivers (both formal and informal), policymakers, public health practitioners, community organizations, and researchers.