It is never ok when people don't provide your care in the right way and don’t help you to be safe and healthy. They could be a health or care professional, a relative, a paid carer or an unpaid carer.
Neglect can happen if they:
- don’t take you to see a doctor or dentist when you need to
- ignore you or keep you on your own for a long time
- don't listen to you when you ask for help
- don’t let you use things you need like hearing aids or walking sticks
- don’t keep you and your clothes clean
- make you sleep in a dirty bed
- don’t give you medication when you need it
- give you the wrong medication – even if it is by accident
- don't do things to help you feel comfortable
- don’t help you to wear the right clothes for the weather
- don’t give you the food and drink you need
- don’t let you have visitors or meet other people when it is safe to
- don’t give you privacy when you need it
- make you too hot or too cold
- don’t take you to the toilet if you need help
- leave you on the toilet for a long time
- don’t help you to wash or bathe if you need help
- leave you in a bath for a long time, so you get cold
- ignore your religious needs