Neglect

The neglect of older people is the failure to meet an older person’s basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, warmth or essential medical care.

The neglect of older people is the failure to meet an older person's basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, warmth or essential medical care.

What is neglect of older people?

The neglect of older people is the failure to meet an older person's basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, warmth or essential medical care.

Neglect is defined as:

  • A failure to provide medical attention or care

  • Not providing adequate food or drink

  • Poor personal hygiene, like unclean clothing

  • Unmet physical needs, like withholding dentures or a walking frame

  • Refusing to allow others to provide appropriate care

  • Abandoning an older person with insufficient or no support

3% of older people reported experiencing this form of abuse in the last 12 months.1

Neglect is often gradual and can be intentional or unintentional. For example, it could a nominated carer struggling to cope.

Important factors to consider when thinking about neglect include an older person’s level of need, the frequency of the person’s experience of not receiving help and the impact of the failure to receive help.

In the recent National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study more women reported experiencing neglect than men.2

The most common form of neglect involved a failure to do routine housework (79.8%).3 Another common form of neglect reported was a failure to assist with transport (69%).4

Other notable forms of neglect related to issues around omissions in meal preparation (52%), personal care omissions (25.6%), assistance with taking the right medicine at the right times (25%), help getting in and out of bed (18%), assistance with eating, including cutting up food (16.9%) and support with toileting (16%).5

Downloads

All comments are moderated. Please visit our terms of use for guidance on how to engage with our community.

Neglect resources

More information on elder abuse

Need information or advice on elder abuse now?
Need information or advice on elder abuse now?
CALL 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374)
In an emergency call 000

This free number will redirect you to an existing phone service near you. This is not a 24-hour line. Call operating times will vary. A collaboration between the Australian, state and territory governments.