Self-neglect
Encyclopedia
Self-neglect is a behavioural condition in which an individual neglects to attend to their basic needs, such as personal hygiene, appropriate clothing, feeding, or tending appropriately to any medical conditions they have. Extreme self-neglect can be known as Diogenes syndrome
.
, dementia
or mental illness
. It can be a result of any mental or physical illness which has an effect on the person's physical abilities, energy levels, attention, organisational skills or motivation.
A decrease in motivation can also be an unfortunate side effect of necessary psychiatric medications, leading to those requiring them being at higher risk of self neglect than might be caused by their illness alone.
Self-neglect can also lead to the individual having a general reduction in attempts to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with increased smoking, drug misuse or lack of exercise.
Any mental causes of the self-neglect may also lead to the individual refusing offers of help from medical or adult social services.
The individual may be monitored, so that any excessive deterioration in their health or levels of self-care can be observed and acted upon.
Treatment can involve care workers providing home care
, attending to cleansing, dressing or feeding the individual as necessary, without reducing their independence
and autonomy
any more than is essential.
In combination with other illnesses, self-neglect may be one of the indicators that a person would be a candidate for treatment in sheltered housing
or residential care. This would also improve their condition by providing opportunities for social interaction.
If the person is deemed not to have the mental capacity
to make decisions about their own care, they may be sectioned or compelled to accept help. If they are in possession of their mental faculties, they have a right to refuse treatment.
, where it indicates the lowest level of individual functioning. It is also part of the activities of daily living
criteria used to assess an individual's care needs. In the UK difficulty in attending to their own physical cleanliness or need for adequate food are part of the criteria indicating whether a person is eligible for Disability Living Allowance
.
Diogenes syndrome
Diogenes syndrome, also known as senile squalor syndrome, is a disorder characterized by extreme self-neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal, apathy, compulsive hoarding of rubbish, and lack of shame....
.
Causes
Self-neglect can be as a result of brain injuryAcquired brain injury
An acquired brain injury is brain damage caused by events after birth, rather than as part of a genetic or congenital disorder such as fetal alcohol syndrome, perinatal illness or perinatal hypoxia. ABI can result in cognitive, physical, emotional, or behavioural impairments that lead to permanent...
, dementia
Dementia
Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging...
or mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
. It can be a result of any mental or physical illness which has an effect on the person's physical abilities, energy levels, attention, organisational skills or motivation.
A decrease in motivation can also be an unfortunate side effect of necessary psychiatric medications, leading to those requiring them being at higher risk of self neglect than might be caused by their illness alone.
Consequences
Because of lack of hygiene, sores may develop and minor wounds may become infected. Any health problems may be exacerbated, due to insufficient attention being paid to them by the individual. Lack of sufficient personal hygiene may mean that the person suffers social difficulties and isolation.Self-neglect can also lead to the individual having a general reduction in attempts to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with increased smoking, drug misuse or lack of exercise.
Any mental causes of the self-neglect may also lead to the individual refusing offers of help from medical or adult social services.
Treatments
Treatment may involve treating the cause of the individual's self-neglect, with treatments such as those for depression, dementia or any physical problems that are hampering their ability to care for themselves.The individual may be monitored, so that any excessive deterioration in their health or levels of self-care can be observed and acted upon.
Treatment can involve care workers providing home care
Home care
Home Care, , is health care or supportive care provided in the patient's home by healthcare professionals Home Care, (also referred to as domiciliary care or social care), is health care or supportive care provided in the patient's home by healthcare professionals Home Care, (also referred to as...
, attending to cleansing, dressing or feeding the individual as necessary, without reducing their independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
and autonomy
Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
any more than is essential.
In combination with other illnesses, self-neglect may be one of the indicators that a person would be a candidate for treatment in sheltered housing
Sheltered housing
Sheltered housing is a British English term covering a wide range of rented housing for older and/or disabled or other vulnerable people. Most commonly it refers to grouped housing such as a block or "scheme" of flats or bungalows with a scheme manager or "officer"; traditionally the manager has...
or residential care. This would also improve their condition by providing opportunities for social interaction.
If the person is deemed not to have the mental capacity
Capacity (law)
The capacity of both natural and legal persons determines whether they may make binding amendments to their rights, duties and obligations, such as getting married or merging, entering into contracts, making gifts, or writing a valid will...
to make decisions about their own care, they may be sectioned or compelled to accept help. If they are in possession of their mental faculties, they have a right to refuse treatment.
Use in assessment of needs
Neglect of hygiene is considered as part of the Global Assessment of FunctioningGlobal Assessment of Functioning
The Global Assessment of Functioning is a numeric scale used by mental health clinicians and physicians to subjectively rate the social, occupational, and psychological functioning of adults, e.g., how well or adaptively one is meeting various problems-in-living. The scale is presented and...
, where it indicates the lowest level of individual functioning. It is also part of the activities of daily living
Activities of daily living
Activities of Daily Living is a term used in healthcare to refer to daily self-care activities within an individual's place of residence, in outdoor environments, or both...
criteria used to assess an individual's care needs. In the UK difficulty in attending to their own physical cleanliness or need for adequate food are part of the criteria indicating whether a person is eligible for Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Disability living allowance is a non-means-tested, non-contributory benefit which can be claimed by a UK resident aged under 65 years who has care and/or mobility needs as a result of a mental or physical disability...
.
External links
- Neglect and Self-Neglect
- Washington State Department of Social & Health Services
- Self-neglect in the elderly: knowing when and how to intervene - Self-Neglect: The Professional's Challenge
- Self-Neglect
- Self-Neglect by Older Adults
- Self-neglect Severity Scale - Draft
- Age-related illness may lead to self-neglect