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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- It creeps in slowly while no one is watching and it leaves no trail. It inflicts loneliness, despair, sadness and hopelessness on its victims without ever raising a hand or striking a blow. In fiscal year 2002 an estimated 6,000 elderly and vulnerable adults in Oklahoma felt its harsh effects. And though none of them can say what it looks or sounds like, they all know how it feels. It is the most insidious of all abusers and it goes by the name, self-neglect.
"Self-neglect is the most difficult form of abuse to combat because unlike financial, caretaker or physical abuse, there is no one guilty party," said Barbara Kidder, Adult Protective Services director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS.) "Instead, everyone who turns a blind eye and ignores the elderly and disabled people in their neighborhoods and communities allows this kind of abuse to happen."
The warning signs of self-neglect include poor hygiene; unusual weight gain or loss; absence of eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures or prostheses; missed doctors appointments; apathy; reclusive behavior such as covering windows with sheets or aluminum foil and withdrawing from community; high grass and trash around home and animal or insect infestation.
"The most dangerous warning signs concern physical health," said Kidder. "Victims of self-neglect often have a poor diet and can easily become malnourished or dehydrated, resulting in dry skin, sunken eyes and dramatic weight loss. This is especially dangerous when they have a serious medical condition or are in need of a special diet. They can also neglect their mental and physical health by not taking their prescribed medication or regularly seeing their doctor."
"The good news is that stopping self-neglect is as simple as asking how someone is doing," said Kidder. "Pay attention to your elderly and disabled neighbors, ask them how they are feeling and if they need any help.
Kidder added, "it’s heartbreaking knowing that there are people out there who feel as if the world has forgotten them because they are elderly or disabled, but it’s also amazing how spending a little time and letting people know they have friends and they’re not alone can make a world of difference in their lives. And it allows you to make a new friend as well and you can never have too many of those."
To report suspected abuse, contact the Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-800-522-3511, or, your local OKDHS County office.
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