Self Neglect

“Self-neglect” means the failure of a vulnerable adult, who is not living in a facility, to provide for themselves the goods and services necessary for their own physical or mental health, impairing their wellbeing. This definition may include a vulnerable adult who is receiving services through home health, hospice, or a home care agency, or an individual provider when the neglect is not a result of inaction by that agency or individual provider.

Signs of self-neglect include:

• hoarding;
• not enough food or water;
• hazardous, unsafe, or unsanitary living conditions;
• inappropriate and/or inadequate clothing;
• inadequate medical care, and not taking prescribed medications properly.

Helping a Self-Neglecting Adult

If appropriate, help the vulnerable adult to:

• figure out what is happening and why;
• make and keep medical appointments;
• create routines and steps to assist in keeping the routine;
• attend social functions; or
• get other family members or professionals (e.g. a case manager) involved.

Any form of abuse is a clear sign that the people involved need help immediately.