Elder Self Neglect:

What can we learn from self-

neglecting elders?

Dr. Tova Band-Winterstein, Mrs. Sigal Naim, & Dr. Israel (Issi) Doron

Department of Gerontology

University of Haifa, Israel

Acknowledgments: This study was funded by Macabbi

Health Care Services Research Fund in Israel

Who is this?

What is elder ‘self neglect”?

The general context of “elder abuse and neglect”

The general uniqueness of self neglect

The difficulties with the definition and the question of culture

Main manifestations: “medical” and “ecological”

The Extent of the Phenomenon

The difficulties in “measuring” elder abuse and neglect;

The difficulties in “measuring” elder self neglect and lack of evaluation tools

The different legal framework and lack of mandatory reporting;

The Characteristics of elder self

neglectד

Older old;

Sickness and disability

Cognitive impairments

Lower socio-economic

level

Loneliness

The Study

Methodology in general;

The sample; 16 interviewees; 10 women and

six men. Their age range was

between 62 and 90 years, with

mean age 73 years.

Procedure

Ethics

Theme 1: Life course

"I was unlucky:" a life replete

with suffering, losses and

uprootedness

Theme 2: Normality

"That's the way it is:" Self-

neglect as a reality that had

become normal routine

Theme 3: Old Age as an “Amplifier”

"They tell me that I'm

disabled:" Old age as

exacerbating situations

of self-neglect.

Theme 4: “My Empire”

"My empire:" The

person behind the self-

neglect

Discussion

The broken and

incoherent narratives;

“Old age” and self

neglect;

The inappropriateness

of paternalistic

intervention;

Thoughts before ending . . .

Limitations;

The need for further

research;

Ageism and self neglect in

old age;

Policy Implications and the

ethical dilemma;

Back to Diogenes:

It was in Corinth that a meeting between Alexander the Great and Diogenes is supposed to have taken place.

While Diogenes was relaxing in the sunlight in the morning, Alexander, thrilled to meet the famous philosopher, asked if there was any favour he might do for him.

Diogenes replied, "Yes, stand out of my sunlight".

Thank you very much.

Dr. Israel (Issi) Doron;

Dr. Tova Band-Winterstein;

Mrs. Sigal Naim;

Department of Gerontlogy

University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel