A 78-year-old female has been found incompetent to care for herself by her doctors. This came about after she stopped taking baths, would not eat when hungry, and was found sitting on her front porch in the nude on a winter day. What form of abuse does this describe?

Question

A 78-year-old female has been found incompetent to care for herself by her doctors. This came about after she stopped taking baths, would not eat when hungry, and was found sitting on her front porch in the nude on a winter day. What form of abuse does this describe?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Self-neglect is described as the behavior of an elderly person that compromises his/her safety. An individual will fail to provide themselves with adequate shelter, food, water, medication, or personal hygiene. The definition of self-neglect is excludes mentally competent human beings who understand the consequences of their actions.

A 78-Year-Old Female Has Been Found Incompetent to Care for Herself