Neglect

Types of neglect

Neglect takes different forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and medical neglect:

• Physical Neglect: Failing to provide basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, clothing, or personal hygiene assistance. It also includes neglecting medical needs, like not ensuring seniors receive necessary medications or medical attention.
• Emotional Neglect: Not giving seniors the social interaction, companionship, or emotional support they need, leading to feelings of isolation, depression, or anxiety.
• Financial Neglect: Improper use or withholding of a senior's financial resources, including theft, fraud, or misuse of funds entrusted to a caregiver or family member.
• Medical Neglect: Failing to provide necessary medical care or attention, such as neglecting routine check-ups, necessary treatments, or not addressing health concerns promptly.

Neglect means not taking care of someone on purpose for a long time. If it happens by accident, due to problems, cultural reasons, or is a short-term issue, it doesn't count as neglect. To determine if it's neglect, we consider the situation, intent, and duration.

Why seniors suffer neglect

Several factors contribute to the neglect of millions of seniors:

• Isolation and Lack of Social Support: Many seniors live alone and face social isolation after losing friends and family members. This isolation makes it harder for others to spot signs of neglect, as fewer people check in on their well-being.
• Limited Financial Resources: Seniors on fixed incomes or with limited financial resources often struggle to afford necessary services, medications, or home modifications. Financial constraints can lead to neglect as they can't secure the help they need.
• Caregiver Burnout and Stress: Family members or caregivers may struggle to provide proper care due to burnout, stress, or lack of resources. Overwhelmed caregivers might unintentionally neglect seniors' needs, impacting their physical and emotional well-being.
• Inadequate Training and Resources for Caregivers: Caregivers, whether family members or professionals, may lack the training or resources needed to address seniors' complex needs. Insufficient knowledge about healthcare, medication management, or recognizing signs of abuse or neglect can lead to poor care.
• Elder Abuse and Exploitation: Sometimes, neglect results from intentional harm or exploitation by caregivers or others in trusted positions. Elder abuse, which includes neglect, physical, emotional, or financial abuse, can go unnoticed or unreported due to fear, shame, or the senior's dependence on the abuser.

These reasons are interconnected, and neglect often results from a mix of factors. However, these top five reasons frequently cause neglect, affecting many seniors and impacting their well-being.

The impacts of neglect

Neglect causes severe and lasting effects, especially on vulnerable populations like seniors or dependent individuals. Some negative impacts include:

• Physical Health Decline: Lack of proper care, nutrition, and medical attention leads to health problems. Untreated medical conditions, poor nutrition, and inadequate hygiene weaken immune systems and cause various health issues.
• Mental and Emotional Distress: Long-term neglect results in feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. The absence of emotional support and social interaction significantly impacts overall well-being.
• Increased Vulnerability to Abuse: Neglected seniors face a higher risk of physical, emotional, or financial abuse. Without protective measures and oversight, they become more exposed to harm from others.
• Deterioration of Independence: Neglect erodes a senior's ability to care for themselves, leading to a loss of independence. This becomes critical as neglect reduces functional abilities without proper care.
• Risk of Malnutrition and Dehydration: Inadequate access to food and water leads to malnutrition and dehydration. These conditions affect physical and cognitive functions, worsening health problems.
• Worsening of Existing Health Conditions: Neglect worsens pre-existing health conditions. Without proper management, chronic illnesses progress, causing complications and reducing quality of life.
• Financial Exploitation: Neglected seniors face financial exploitation. Misuse of their financial resources or assets leaves them in vulnerable situations.
• Social Isolation: Neglect frequently results in social isolation, as seniors lack necessary support systems. The absence of social connections leads to feelings of loneliness and despair.

How we help end neglect

We address neglect using three advocacy strategies:

1. Our Services: We address and prevent elder neglect by empowering seniors, caregivers, and the public with knowledge to recognize and report mistreatment. We provide resources and offer monitoring services for ongoing oversight and proactive intervention.
2. Our Support Team:
   • Senior Advocates: Our Senior Advocates combat neglect by providing personalized support and conducting regular check-ins. They ensure seniors receive the care and services they need, organize social activities, and facilitate access to essential services that promote seniors' well-being.
   • Certified Ombudsmen: Our Certified Ombudsmen investigate complaints, advocate for residents' rights, and work to resolve issues contributing to neglect. They empower seniors and their families with knowledge to recognize and report neglect and provide ongoing oversight to ensure proper care and support.
3. Our Access to Resources: We leverage a wide range of resources, including community centers, social clubs, transportation services, and mental health support, to ensure seniors receive comprehensive care and remain engaged with their communities. This access helps prevent neglect by providing the necessary support systems and services. If you suspect neglect, report now.