Self-neglect is a worldwide and serious public health issue that can have
serious adverse outcomes and is more common in older people. Cases can
vary in presentation but typically present as poor self-care, poor care of the
environment and service refusal. Community nurses frequently encounter
self-neglect cases and health and social care professionals play a key role in
the identification, management and prevention of self-neglect. Self-neglect
cases can give rise to ethical, personal and professional challenges. The
aim of this article is to create a greater understanding of the concept of selfneglect
among community nurses.