Neglect (including self neglect)
Neglect is the failure to meet the everyday needs of the adult at risk, which includes a person’s basic physical, emotional, social or psychological needs, failure to access medical care or services or failure to give prescribed medication.
Self-neglect is the failure of an adult to take care of themselves or is reasonable likely to cause within a short period of time, serious physical, mental or emotional harm or substantial damaged to or lost of assets. Self-neglect can happen as a result of an individual’s choice of lifestyle, or the person may be depressed, have poor health, have cognitive problems or be physically unable to care for themselves. Self-neglect can include living in unsanitary conditions, hoarding, and suffering from malnutrition.
Resources
- Age UK – safeguarding older people from abuse and neglect
- London Borough of Lambeth – Self-Neglect in Adults – a short video
- Cardiff and Vale Safeguarding – Messages for Practice Self-Neglect