Everyone is different, and free to make choices about how they live, but self-neglect can happen if you don’t look after yourself properly or don’t let people help you to be safe and healthy. It can include not taking care of your personal hygiene, health, safety, or surroundings.
If you self-neglect you can be in danger of harm or get very ill. Sadly, some people have died because of self-neglect.
You can be at risk of self-neglect due to different reasons, such as a physical or learning disability, an illness, your age or your mental health. It might happen if:
- you choose to not look after yourself properly
- you don’t know, or forget, how to look after yourself properly, or
- something happens in your life that changes how you feel about keeping safe and healthy
You might be at risk of self-neglect if you:
- don't let people help you when you need them to
- don't see a doctor, nurse or dentist when you need to
- don't take your medicines properly
- don't ask for help when you need it to do things like cooking, washing, using the toilet or getting out of bed
- do things that you know aren’t good for you, or put you at risk of harm and danger
- hurt yourself on purpose
- don't eat or drink enough to stay healthy
- eat too much unhealthy food
- drink too much alcohol or use illegal drugs
- don't keep yourself and your clothes clean
- don't wear the right clothes for the weather, so you are too hot, too cold, or get wet
- don't keep your home clean, tidy and safe – you could have an accident
- collect or keep too many things, even if you don't use them, and you store them unsafely in your home – this is called hoarding and it might cause a fire or you could have an accident - more information: Hoarding disorder - NHS
- have too many pets or you don’t clean up their pooh - this can make you ill
- don't pay your bills on time – your gas and electric might be cut off and you won’t have heating or hot water
If you think you or someone else is self-neglecting please seek help and advice as soon as possible. Reporting abuse | Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board