Thursday, 10 October 2019

Dealing with Self-neglect in the Elderly

There is no denying that there are many threats to an elderly person’s health and safety. However, one of these most commonly occurring threats is very rarely talked about: self-neglect.

What is self-neglect?

Self-neglect refers to a person’s inability or unwillingness to take proper care of themselves, often to the point where it is adversely affecting their health. This may include neglecting to drink or eat, not maintaining good personal hygiene, or refusing or forgetting to take medication as prescribed.

Why is self-neglect dangerous?

If left unchecked, self-neglect will more often than not lead to worsening health and, in some cases, can be the primary cause of premature death. According to several different studies, a heightened risk of mortality was most prominent in the year after self-neglect was reported to and/or confirmed by social services agencies, such as Adult Protective Services (APS), in the USA.

In other words, once you notice that self-neglect is becoming evident in your elderly relative, it is vital that you take action to put a stop to it immediately. This may mean setting up independent elderly care in the form of a live-in companion or daily home help.

What are the signs of self-neglect?

Most instances of self-neglect are relatively obvious. You will notice that your loved one is losing weight, is wearing soiled clothing, or is beginning to develop an unpleasant odour. However, there are other, slightly more subtle signs that self-neglect is becoming a problem. These include:

• Confusion
• Struggling to keep up with daily activities such as cooking and cleaning  
• A decline in mood or an increase in anxiety
• Excessive drinking or drug use
• Falling more frequently
• Indicators that a senior is not getting care for problems with eyesight, hearing, dental issues, incontinence, etc.

What to do about self-neglect

As mentioned, the best course of action is to seek out home help for your relative. However, this isn’t always as simple as it sounds.

Many elderly people will resist this kind of intervention, claiming that they are still perfectly capable of looking after themselves (which obviously is no longer the case). In these instances, it is important to remain calm and to do your best to explain the reasons why you feel they need some assistance. With a bit of patience and perseverance, most will eventually give in. If not, you may want to take them to a doctor for advice and encouragement.

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