title: Perceptions and views of self-neglect: a client-centered perspective.
abstract: Aging populations and chronic illness increase vulnerability of older people for self-neglect, which is a serious public health issue. Many referrals received by Elder Abuse Services (EAS) in Ireland are categorized as self-neglect. The aim of the research was to observe and describe the living circumstances of a purposive sample of eight older people who were deemed self-neglectful by senior case workers. An exploratory descriptive research design was used. The themes that emerged were early life experiences and lifestyle, disconnectivity, vulnerability, frugality, and service refusal. The majority of participants were content so decisions to live in this way must be respected.
authors.affiliation: Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. mr.day@ucc.ie
authors.forename: Mary Rose
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leahy-Warren
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007494:Ireland; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data