Self-Neglect – What is it?
Self-neglect is the inability to maintain a reasonable standard of self-care. It can have serious consequences to a person’s health and can involve a person neglecting their diet, medication requirements, personal hygiene and keeping their home safe and clean.
Lambeth Safeguarding Adults Board created this 3 minute video about self-neglect:
Types of self-neglect include:
- Lack of self-care to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety
- Neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings
- Inability to avoid self-harm
- Failure to seek help, or access services to meet health and social care needs
- Inability or unwillingness to manage one’s personal affairs.
Possible signs of self-neglect:
- Very poor personal hygiene
- Unkempt appearance – dirty, unpleasant smell, unwashed hair, dirty clothes
- Lack of essential food, clothing or shelter
- Malnutrition and/or dehydration
- Living in squalid or unsanitary conditions
- Neglecting household maintenance
- Hoarding
- Collecting a large number of animals in inappropriate conditions
- Non-compliance with health or care services
- Inability or unwillingness to take medication or treat illness or injury.
For advice and support:
If you have experienced self-neglect or you suspect that someone you know has experienced self-neglect, you can contact 01375 511 000 or Thurrock.First@thurrock.gov.uk
Hoarding – One minute guide – A two page summary of hoarding.
