Self-neglect in old age

Abstract

Self-neglect represents a unique set of challenges to society and, in particular, practitioners in healthcare and social agencies. Despite the fact that self-neglect has been recognized for millennia, our ability to understand, prevent and successfully intervene has hardly improved. Self-neglect seems to particularly affect women, increases mortality and imposes a huge cost on society. Ethical challenges arise for the provider attempting to balance patient autonomy, safety and an approach that emphasizes beneficence, which may violate patient wishes. Given expected demographic trends, an increase in the older population, a decline in social service programs, a decline in the economy and less family support, the incidence of self-neglect is likely to increase; however, there have been few advances in the management of this condition.