Abstract
Self-neglect represents a unique set of challenges to society and, in particular, practitioners in healthcare and social agencies. Despite the fact that self-neglect has been recognized for millennia, our ability to understand, prevent and successfully intervene has hardly improved. Self-neglect seems to particularly affect women, increases mortality and imposes a huge cost on society. Ethical challenges arise for the provider attempting to balance patient autonomy, safety and an approach that emphasizes beneficence, which may violate patient wishes. Given expected demographic trends, an increase in the older population, a decline in social service programs, a decline in the economy and less family support, the incidence of self-neglect is likely to increase; however, there have been few advances in the management of this condition.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.