A framework for good practice in interagency interventions with cases of self‐neglect

Abstract

Self-neglect is probably more common than has generally been thought and gives rise to a number of difficult conceptual, identification and intervention problems for health and social care workers. These patient management issues are compounded by the lack of any evidence-base for practice which nurses can draw on when faced with managing people who self-neglect. Nurses working with self-neglecters operate in an interdisciplinary context which includes professional groups, such as environmental health officers, who do not normally figure within health and social care teams. In the absence of such an evidence-base, a pragmatic solution in the form of a framework for interagency practice has been proposed. The background underpinning this framework, including a research study of housing in self-neglect and interagency responses, is briefly outlined in this paper.

Severe domestic squalor: a review

“…For example, the British National Assistance Act (1948) allowed for the removal of persons from their homes if chronically ill, or "being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated" they are living in insanitary conditions (Wolfson et al, 1990). Lauder et al (2005) have provided a framework for good practice in interagency interventions in such cases. Although it is likely that similar principles apply across the world, local factors will determine the arrangements that need to be made.…”

Compulsive hoarding: A qualitative investigation of partner and carer perspectives

“…Surveys report a common perception of negative impact on family life, where OCD is a feature, both by the individual with OCD (Hollander et al , 1996) and the wider family, including parents, partners, children, and siblings (Cooper, 1996). The main problems described by carers are the negative effects on marital relationships and home management issues (Laidlaw, Falloon, Barnfather, & Coverdale, 1999). A key finding in the OCD family literature is the concept of ‘accommodation’ of OCD symptoms (Cooper, 1993), whereby family members feel forced to collude with compulsive rituals.…”

Adult Protective Services Clients Confirmed for Self-Neglect: Characteristics and Service Use

“…Even though self-neglecting older adults can benefit from a variety of health, mental health, and social services, there is little research evidence about how to engage and intervene with this population (Lauder, Anderson, & Barclay, 2005a). A study of older individuals identified by Florida's abuse and neglect hotline revealed that these older adults, one-fifth of whom were reported for self-neglect, had higher rates of behavioral health services use when compared with Medicare and Medicaid recipients who were not reported to the hotline (Schonfeld, Larsen, & Stiles, 2006).…”