Self-neglect occurs in many forms. Several elders in senior care cease taking their prescriptions, others avoid cleaning their residences, and others stop bathing or grooming themselves.
Signs and Symptoms of Self-Neglect
Self-neglect, resembling neglect from others, occurs when older adults cannot carry out the activities of daily living independently by themselves or if they do not seek assisted living. They could desire to “skip” essential prescriptions, medical appointments, showers, or food. Indeed, older adults may neglect their finances or fail to pay bills and attend to chores.
It remains necessary to remember that those who behave like this occasionally cannot control their responses, particularly if they experience cognitive decline. Consider self-neglect can reveal to specific caregivers that there may be issues with their parent’s mental state. Supposing a mature elderly parent starts behaving unusually or might endanger the elder’s health, several constructive methods to rehabilitate elders are mentioned below.
How to Bring Up the Subject
It is challenging to inform your elderly loved ones that they have lapsed in taking care of themselves. Many older adults had faithfully attended to self-care throughout their lives. They might feel insulted or disparaged by others who claim they are failing to do so. An important aspect to follow is to note that the subject feels disoriented or has chaotic feelings about their self-care status.
Be a Friend
Instead of showing disgust, shock, anger, or frustration, one has to be sensitive to any potential reaction to avoid being hostile. It is advisable to ask how the person is coping with chronic illnesses, like arthritis or diabetes, about social engagements or how satisfied they are in their present residence.
It might help to provide assistance which can result in watching daily routines or trying to cordially “remind” the elder about essential daily self-care practices. Self-neglect occurs in many forms. Several elders cease taking their prescriptions; others stop cleaning their residences, while others stop bathing or grooming themselves. Occasionally people merely need the assurance that somebody is checking that they are well.
If minor, very tender questions fail to help, attempt to address concerns with objective or non-judgmental phrasing like “I have observed such behavior–is all well with you today/this week/month?”
Supposing an elder parent is offended or defies attempts for rehabilitation or pressing needs, consult a physician at once. The elderly parent might have to get assessed for psychiatric or mental health conditions. This can be life-threatening without medical assistance. Being sensitive while attending to pressing health needs might prove challenging. Objective therapy might help.
Caregivers must assemble as much research as possible to address all concerns or prepare to face emotional turbulence. Close kin or nursing team should persist in defending the interests of the elderly parents they look after. This involves seeking medical help for emergencies.
Conclusion
Elder self-neglect is a more common issue than most realize. Self-neglect comes in many forms. Some elders stop taking their medications, others cease to clean their homes, whereas others stop bathing or grooming themselves due to social isolation.
As self-neglect usually occurs inside private residences or among lonely older adults, probably, studies do not accurately reveal the magnitude of such problems.
