This document summarizes a study on elder self-neglect conducted by researchers at the University of Haifa, Israel. The study interviewed 16 self-neglecting elders to understand their life experiences and perspectives. Four key themes emerged: 1) Lives filled with suffering and loss, 2) Self-neglect becoming a normal routine, 3) Old age exacerbating situations of self-neglect, and 4) Maintaining independence and control. The researchers discussed limitations of paternalistic interventions and implications for policy to address elder self-neglect while respecting independence.

1. 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

2. Who is this?

3. 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”

4. 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;

5. The Characteristics of elder self
‫ד‬neglect
 Older old;
 Sickness and disability
 Cognitive impairments
 Lower socio-economic
level
 Loneliness

6. 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

7. Theme 1: Life course
 "I was unlucky:" a life replete
with suffering, losses and
uprootedness

8. Theme 2: Normality
 "That's the way it is:" Self-
neglect as a reality that had
become normal routine

9. Theme 3: Old Age as an “Amplifier”
 "They tell me that I'm
disabled:" Old age as
exacerbating situations
of self-neglect.

10. Theme 4: “My Empire”
 "My empire:" The
person behind the self-
neglect

11. Discussion
 The broken and
incoherent narratives;
 “Old age” and self
neglect;
 The inappropriateness
of paternalistic
intervention;

12. Thoughts before ending . . .
 Limitations;
 The need for further
research;
 Ageism and self neglect in
old age;
 Policy Implications and the
ethical dilemma;

13. 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".

14. Thank you very much.
 Dr. Israel (Issi) Doron;
 Dr. Tova Band-Winterstein;
 Mrs. Sigal Naim;
 Department of Gerontlogy
 University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel