Living alone and displaying poor hygiene are indicators of what?

Living alone and displaying poor hygiene are strong indicators of self-neglect. Self-neglect occurs when an individual fails to care for their own personal needs, including essential aspects of health and hygiene. This can manifest in various ways, such as not maintaining cleanliness, neglecting medical needs, or lacking adequate nutrition.

In the case of an elderly individual living alone, poor hygiene may indicate that they are unable or unwilling to maintain their personal care, which can lead to significant health risks and a decline in their overall wellbeing. Recognizing self-neglect is crucial in assessing the individual's situation and determining what support or intervention may be needed to ensure their safety and health.

Active neglect typically refers to a situation where someone fails to meet the needs of another person intentionally, while passive neglect involves an unintentional failure to provide care, often due to a lack of knowledge or resources. Neglect by caretakers pertains specifically to those in a caregiving role not fulfilling their responsibilities, which does not apply when the individual in question is living independently and is responsible for their own care.