Possible characteristics of a person who may be self-neglecting

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An adult who is self-neglecting may display the following characteristics

• Living in an unclean verminous environment
• Pride in self-sufficiency
• Unwilling to attend appointments with relevant staff
• Animal collecting with potential insanitary conditions
• Neglecting household maintenance, creating hazards
• Failure to manage finances
• Failure to maintain social contact
• Failing to provide care for him/herself - health is then affected
• Obsessive hoarding creating mobility and fire hazards
• Poor diet and nutrition.
• Mistrust of professionals/people in authority.
• Fear of losing control
• Adult provides responses like ‘I do my best to make ends meet’
• Declining or refusing prescribed medication
• Refusing to allow access to health and/or social care staff