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
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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".