Understanding self-neglect

This lack of care can cause the individual to suffer from serious physical, mental or emotional harm within a short period of time.

Self-neglect does not involve another person, so differs from other forms of abuse.

There are many reasons self-neglect may occur. Some of these include:

Not being aware that they are unwell or need help
Poor physical health or illness
Mental health issues
Reduced independence due to an accident, trauma, illness, or frailty
Change in care or support needs
Lack of financial support
Pain
Reduced mental capacity
Childhood neglect, trauma, or adverse experience
Drug or alcohol misuse
Major life events such as losing a loved one, major illness, loss of a job etc
Cultural life views for example, not wanting to complain, fear of professional intervention, fear of losing home, possessions, pets, etc
Not knowing where to go/ get help from
Inability or unwillingness to maintain own self-care and household chores or accept help from others

Self-neglect covers a wide range of behaviours including neglecting to care for one’s own personal hygiene, health, or surroundings (for example hoarding disorder).

People can experience self-neglect in different ways. Some of the signs of self-neglect can include:

Signs of poor personal hygiene, not bathing, taking care of hair and nails
Unwashed clothes and personal items
Unpleasant odours coming from the person
Dishevelled unkept appearance
Poor medication management, or refusing to take medication
Unsanitary/ dirty living quarters
Not doing basic household chores
Hoarding animals and or items
Non-functioning utilities
Dangerous living conditions
Home infestation e.g. lice, vermin
Lack of food in the home or signs of poor diet
Missing scheduled appointments
Signs of unpaid bills, returned cheques or utility shut offs
Refusal to acknowledge there is a problem or seek/ accept help
Dangerous forgetful behaviour such as leaving the stove on and going to sleep
Decreased ability to reason, confusion, depression, psychosis such as hallucinations

Treatment of self-neglect varies from case to case and can include addressing the underlying cause(s). This could be in the form of treatment with medication, the use of talking therapies, detoxification and/or introducing self-help strategies.

Other forms of assistance that may also be used to help individuals suffering from self-neglect include the use of occupational therapy, domiciliary care, housing and environmental health and other home care and support services to assist the individual with daily living requirements.

If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of self-neglect speak to you GP to get some help.

You can also report persons of concern to the Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) by contacting them on:

Telephone: 0116 454 1004 (Operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit in person: Customer Service Centre, 91 Granby Street, LE1 6FB. Click here to find out how to book an appointment.

Further information can be found on the Leicester City Council’s ‘Safeguarding Adults Board’.