Self-neglect among older people is on the rise, an expert has warned. Dr Mary Rose Day, a leading expert in self-neglect, older adults and public health nursing, said more cases of self-neglect would arise because of the ageing population. There were 493 cases of self-neglect recorded in Ireland last year by the HSE but those figures only account for 'exceptional' cases. Dr Day said self-neglect was included in the HSE's Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy that was published in 2014. "We can't just walk away and say this is a lifestyle choice.”Dr Day is the co-author of the textbook Self-Neglect in Older Adults: A Global, Evidence-Based Resource for Nurses and Other Healthcare Providers.

Source: Irish Examiner October 30, 2019 16:52 UTC