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Health & Fitness

Are You Guilty of Elder Abuse by Self-Neglect?

Are you participating in elder abuse? You are if you are not taking care of yourself.

 

Are you participating in elder abuse? If you are not taking care of yourself, you are! Self-neglect by older adults is a pressing issue. Whether done by choice or lack of awareness the problem of elder abuse has ramifications for you if you are person affected, your family and society in general. If you can't handle the basic and everyday functions of life, you become a hazard to others. If you are not the elder, are you aware of an elder who is being self-neglectful?

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Sonoma County Senior Caregivers--Watch Out for Elder Abuse

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Sobering statistics on the issue

There are some startling and sobering numbers on the issue of elder abuse when it comes to self-neglect. Let's take a look at a few of these numbing figures:

·         Nearly one-half of all elder abuse cases involved self-neglect

·         Two-thirds of all elder neglect cases show self-neglect as the cause

·         Self-neglect comprises 40 to 50% of cases reported to states' Adult Protective Services as reported by the Public Policy Institute of the AARP

·         For every reported case of elderly self-neglect five go unreported according to the National Center on Elder Abuse

Recognizing self-neglect

There are some tell-tale signs when someone begins to neglect themselves. Spotting some of these early on is essential to getting someone the help they need. Here are a few of the signs:

·         Not eating enough, even to the point of being malnourished

·         Living in filthy and otherwise unsanitary and unhealthy conditions

·         Wearing worn-out, dirty or ill fitting clothes or wearing apparel that is not appropriate for the season

·         Inattention to paying bills or attending to their financial matters

·         Neglecting to take medicines 

·         Not seeking proper medical care

·         Absence of wearing needed eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures and other health aids

·         Being isolated and not wanting contact with family, friends or society in general

Characteristics of the elderly who self-neglect

There are certain traits that people who can't or won't take care of themselves exhibit. Being aware of these ahead of time might give you an idea that a senior citizen is in danger of elderly abuse. Some of those traits are:

·         Living alone

·         Being a woman (women tend to live alone more)

·         Being depressed or getting more and more confused

·         Looking frail and older then normal

·         Having problems with alcohol and drugs (including prescription medications)

·         Had a history of living in poor conditions and not exhibiting proper personal hygiene 

What can you do to help as a family member or close friend?

If you are a family member or are a close friend of an elderly person, there are things you can do to help out if you suspect self-neglect, or even if the senior citizen has the opportunity for elder abuse. The warning signs will be there and it will be up to you to recognize them and get the person help.

Here are some things you can do to help:

·         Learn what to look for regarding self-neglect

·         Help reduce the isolation for the elder as much as possible by visiting and getting others (family members, community and church groups) to visit also

·         Just sitting and talking with a senior citizen may allow them to open up and discuss problems with you

·         Enable the elder to get any services they need, such as social services or programs churches have to offer

·         Get help from Adult Protective Services if need be

·         Respect the wishes of the elder as much as possible

Self-neglect - Elder Abuse is a very real issue

The issue of self-neglect in elders is very real. Whether your or someone you know does this on purpose or just does not have the capacity to function without help anymore, it's up to everyone to pitch in and help this person out. A little in home care from an agency like Sequoia Senior Solutions might be all that is needed to turn this around. Do your part and be part of the solution, not the problem! 

What are some ways you can break the mold on this behavior if you are the one being neglectful? What can you do if you see someone in this shape?

For more great information, please come visit the blog at our Sequoia Senior Solutions website. 

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