Neglect

Neglect can include:

  • failing to provide adequate clothes, food, medication, personal care, hygiene, medical care or social activities
  • placing the older adult in an unsafe or isolated environment

Neglect can be intentional or unintentional. Unintentional neglect can occur when a caregiver does not provide necessities because of a lack of skill, information or interest.

It is important to distinguish between neglect caused by someone else and self-neglect caused by the older adult not taking care of themselves.

When a mentally competent person chooses to live in a situation of self-neglect, it can be difficult to help. In very general terms, people have a right to live as they choose as long as they are not committing a crime or posing a risk to others.


Signs of Neglect

  • physical signs of malnourishment such as dry lips, pallor (paleness of skin) or excessive weight loss
  • untidy appearance or inappropriate clothing for the weather
  • lack of needed medication, appliances, dentures, hearing aids, mobility aids, or glasses
  • infrequent bathing or poor hygiene
  • incontinence
  • physical or mental decline with no medical reason
  • confinement
  • wandering dangerously
  • lack of groceries
  • cooking or housekeeping standards that could lead to an accident or illness

NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused. These are only possible signs of abuse.


For more information, please view CPLEA’s Let’s talk: Elder abuse resource manual.