The Chicago Department of Aging developed a severity scale for self-neglect.
Items:
(1) help needed to assist with eating
(2) help needed for health hygiene
(3) minimal personal hygiene
(4) help needed for dressing
(5) help needed to get in/out of bed
(6) help needed for bladder and bowel continence
(7) help needed to plan, budget and pay bills
(8) help needed to communicate essential needs
(9) help needed to prepare a meal
(10) help needed for laundry
(11) clutter and messiness inside the house
(12) help needed to get to essential places outside of the home
(13) help needed to direct routine health care needs
(14) help needed for more complex health care needs
(15) help needed to avoid and to respond to danger/emergencies
Response - risk to health/safety
|
Points
|
no risk
|
0
|
mild risk
|
1
|
moderate risk
|
2
|
maximal risk
|
3
|
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the items)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 45
• The higher the score the greater the risk to health and safety