“Self-neglect covers a wide range of behaviour - neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.” (Department of Health, 2014)

Many patterns of behaviour can lead to self-neglect including diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health issues, substance misuse, cognitive impairments and social environments. Other problems related to self-neglect can be:

• personal or domestic hygiene that exacerbates a medical condition that could lead to a serious health problem.
• the adult’s actions/inactions indicate a high risk of fire.
• the adult’s property is filthy and or verminous and is impacting on the health and safety of themselves and their neighbours.

Adults that self-neglect are likely to have had and continue to have longstanding, recurring, complex needs. The adult’s perception of their needs may not be of the same concern as it is to family, friends and social care professionals who may be required to work with the adult to help minimise and manage associated risk. Therefore throughout the assessment process it is crucial for practitioners to take the time build rapport with the adult to increase engagement that will have a positive impact on the adult’s health and wellbeing.

Information is also available in the working with people who self-neglect guidance from Research in Practice.