How to Spot the Signs of Elder Self-Neglect

When we see or hear the term “elder abuse,” many of us instantly think about a professional scammer getting access to an elderly person’s finances or a shameless and amoral family member exploiting a senior loved one for personal and financial gain. But when you pull on a hidden thread in the fabric of elder abuse, you’ll find there is a subcategory known as “elder self-neglect.” Senior care experts are seeing this type of self-abuse become a rising trend among older adults, particularly those seniors aging at home.

What is Elder Self-Neglect?

“Elder self-neglect” is defined as “refusal or failure to provide oneself with care and protection in areas of food, water, clothing, hygiene, medication, living environments, and safety precautions,” according to an article published by the National Institutes of Health. It is a type of self-inflicted abuse when an older person is unwilling or unable to perform essential self-care, such as conducting personal hygiene, taking prescribed medication, having meals, or staying sheltered.

Self-neglect leads to poor physical and mental health. In addition, the risk of premature death rockets to 15 times higher for older adults who self-neglect, according to the Institute for Health Care Policy and Aging Research at Rutgers University. Given that seniors are more likely to suffer from a chronic illness, dementia or depression, they are more at risk of self-neglect. State-level data suggests the problem has been growing in recent years due to an increasing number of seniors who live alone or without nearby family members. Census data points to about 25% of seniors ages 65 and older, or 14.3 million, were living alone in 2017, up 31% from 10.9 million in 2007. A 2019 Pew Research Center study reported that older adults spend over half their waking hours alone.

“A lot of people end up getting very isolated in their homes,” says Lori Delagrammatikas, executive director of the National Adult Protective Services Association. “That can cause a downward spiral.” Research scientists like Farida Kassim Ejaz of the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, are concerned that the increase in elder self-neglect cases is due to the pandemic triggering periods of isolation for older adults. Data is difficult to come by, she told PBS’ Next Avenue, as family members and friends aren’t visiting frequently enough to realize their senior loved one is self-neglecting.

Signs of Elder Self-Neglect

Many times, seniors will not readily admit that they need help, and when confronted, they may try to assure you that everything is fine. That’s why it’s important that family members stay vigilant and watch for red flags. The following is a list of warning signs that a senior needs assistance:

Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away
Missing important appointments
Unexplained bruising
Trouble getting up from a seated position
Difficulty with walking, balance and mobility
Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar tasks
Forgetfulness
Unpleasant body odor
Infrequent showering and bathing
Strong smell of urine in the house
Noticeable decline in grooming habits and personal care
Dirty house, extreme clutter and dirty laundry piling up
Stacks of unopened mail or an overflowing mailbox
Late payment notices, bounced checks and calls from bill collectors
Poor diet or weight loss
Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
Changes in mood or extreme mood swings
Forgetting to take medications – or taking more than the prescribed dosage
Diagnosis of dementia or early onset Alzheimer’s
Unexplained dents and scratches on a car

Source: AgingCare.com

What to Do If You Suspect Elder Self-Neglect

If your elderly loved one is exhibiting any of the signs above, it may be time to consider care options. However, seniors often see needing assistance with ADLs as a loss of independence and may start to view themselves as a burden. That’s why it’s important to recognize the early warning signs and prepare the senior to transition to care. Without a plan, the need for care in an emergency situation can create unnecessary emotional and financial stress for seniors and their families.

Transitioning to care is often an emotional process for seniors – one that can leave them feeling afraid, vulnerable, and angry. Families should focus first on determining what type of care is best for their loved one, whether that be an in-home caregiver or an assisted living facility, or even a 24/7 home care safety system like Amada Connect. Ask your loved one what their preference for care options would be and try to be understanding of their point of view. If they continue to be resistant to help, enlist the help of other family members and friends who can express concerns about their wellbeing.

While many seniors see needing assistance as a loss of their independence, finding quality care can actually prolong their independence and help them live a safer, healthier, and happier life. An adviser from Amada Senior Care will help seniors and their families find the best care options available for every situation and will work to make the transition to care an easier and more pleasant experience. Click HERE to find an Amada location nearest you or call 866-752-1961 toll-free.

How To Communicate with a Senior Loved One Who Has Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia among the elderly population. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that progresses in stages, beginning with memory loss and potentially leading to changes in physical abilities like walking and difficulty in communicating.

World Alzheimer’s Month in September exists to challenge the stigmas surrounding dementia and empower seniors and their loved ones to reach out for the support and assistance they need. The 2021 theme of Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s spotlights the power of knowledge in the fight against Alzheimer’s and the continuing search for a cure. The World Health Organization and other nonprofit research groups estimate that more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide.

Understanding the warning signs of dementia, proactively seeking a timely diagnosis, and continuing to learn about dementia and Alzheimer’s are all empowering steps to help older adults and families better able to prepare and adapt to any needed changes. Do not hesitate contact an Amada Senior Care advisor to learn more about resources to include specially trained Amada caregivers who can provide in-home care support to help seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s manage their symptoms and give respite to family caregivers.

At Amada, we know that caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia takes an endless amount of patience. Professional caregivers are trained to handle difficult situations and respond to the varying moods of their clients, but family caregivers usually have no previous experience to draw on. One of the most important things to know in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is how to communicate effectively.

Jo Huey, an Alzheimer’s caregiver for over 30 years, has created what she calls “The 10 Absolutes of Alzheimer’s Caregiving.” She shares more stories of her experiences in her book “Alzheimer’s Disease: Help and Hope.” The 10 Absolutes provide practical yet compassionate strategies for family caregivers to implement that are based on her personal experience. We hope you find some of these helpful.

Never argue, instead agree.
Never reason, instead divert.
Never shame, instead distract.
Never say “you can’t,” instead say “do what you can.”
Never command or demand, instead ask or model.
Never condescend, instead encourage and praise.
Never say “remember,” instead reminisce.
Never say “I told you,” instead repeat.
Never lecture, instead reassure.
Never force, instead reinforce.

In a nutshell, be understanding, attuned, and constantly aware of your loved one’s condition. It may be difficult to remember at times, but their mentally deteriorated state is not really “them,” and their misconceptions due to their condition are not their fault.

For more information and education about dementia and Alzheimer’s, click on the links below to these resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute on Aging

National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center

Aging at Home Continues as Top Senior Goal

Aging at Home Continues as Top Senior Goal

Here’s some breaking news on this International Day for Older Persons: An overwhelmingly number of seniors have not budged from their preference to age at home and in fact, the Covid-19 pandemic has strengthened their desire to do so. In the just released AAG Importance of Home Survey, more than 80 percent of American seniors said they want to live in their home for the rest of their lives. Here are some reasons why staying put matters to aging seniors:

Roughly four in five seniors (83%) say they feel safer at home than anywhere else. Living in one’s home is tied closely to a feeling of safety.

Half of the seniors in AAG’s survey said that the pandemic strengthened their desire to live at home longer. “Independence” was stated as the most important benefit of living at home, according to more than one-third (40%) of older Americans surveyed.

More than half (56%) pointed to family life as a significant reason, saying their home reminds them of their family. More than two in three seniors (68%) have communicated to family members where they would like to live for the rest of their lives, and overwhelmingly it’s with their children and close relatives.

Of course even before the pandemic, AARP and other senior research organizations have reported on the “aging at home” or “aging in place” trend solidifying. AARP reports that nearly 90 percent of adults over 65 want to remain in their current homes for as long as possible. However, at some point, nearly every senior will need assistance with performing daily tasks.

Currently, there are around 40 million people in the U.S. acting as a caregiver in some form to an elderly relative. The added responsibility of caring for a senior loved one to an already busy and overbooked life will add stress, that untreated, will eventually lead to caregiver burnout. And the 2020 Caregiving in the US Report by AARP found about half of the family caregivers surveyed said they are using some type of caregiver technology to supplement some of their duties.

According to the report, the reason family caregivers may not be using technology is mostly due to a lack of awareness and a perception that these new technologies are probably difficult to use and won’t actually help them that much. However, nearly half of the current caregiver population is made up of Generation X and millennials. Experts say that these younger generations are more likely to adopt caregiving technologies, and that the digital health industry hit nearly $30 billion last year.

“We’ve entered the era of low-cost, miniaturized, technological capabilities that enable smarter caregiving and greater independence,” said Laurie Orlov, an aging-in-place technology analyst.

Perhaps the most significant benefit caregiving technology offers is peace of mind, for both seniors and their loved ones. More and more family caregivers are interested in using in-home monitoring systems, as well as medication management tools that provide refills, deliveries, and adherence for their senior loved ones’ prescriptions, making and supervising medical appointments, and assessing health needs and conditions.

In-Home Care Technology Systems

There are several systems that provide technology-based safety services for seniors, such as “fall buttons” and GPS tracking devices. In-home monitoring systems are also increasing in popularity with seniors and their loved ones. Amada Connect is an in-home personal response system that puts seniors who are alone in their home in touch with emergency responders at any time of day.

Amada Connect devices feature 24-hour, hands-free, two-way communication only seconds after a pendant is activated, with a built-in speakerphone, optional fall detection, as well as both visual and audible alarm indicators — perfect for hearing and / or visually impaired seniors. An in-home personal emergency response system (PERS) like Amada Connect can provide some peace of mind to families with senior loved ones living independently.

Statistics indicate that one out of three people over the age of 65 will fall at least once this year and that older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes. There are voice- and motion-activated accessories to Amada Connect such as a door contact, panic detector and pressure-sensitive floor alarm.

Another tech device rising in popularity are state-of-the-art medication dispensers like Hero Medication Management Dispenser. The device can be set up by a caregiver or family member to ensure an elderly loved one is taking the right medications on the right day and time. The Hero unit provides an automated alert to a pre-designated contact if a dose is missed.

Technology devices like these can act as a supplemental caregiver, and is a way for loved ones to be reassured that a senior is behaving in a normal pattern. Since many seniors only receive around four hours of care a day, Amada Connect can serve as a safeguard should something happen when a caregiver isn’t present. An Amada Senior Care advisor can assist you in designing a safety plan for yourself of a senior loved one at home for emergency response, medication management or another independent living concern.


We’re here to help, so feel free to call us toll-free at 866-752-1961 to franchise location near you.