Includes introduction and overview of the literature; statement of the problem and study rationale; research methods, data collection and analysis; assessing research quality; constructing the social problem of self-neglect; defining elder abuse: should self-neglect be included? setting the future agenda for self-neglect; explicating the key concepts, processes, and framework for understanding self-neglect among the elderly; threats to identity and personal control; strategies, resources, and responses to identity and control threats; current policy issues; and recommendations.