Neglect

Neglect is the lack of care-of which non- care and forgetting, and the withholding of assistance to another person. Frequently affected them are sick, the disabled (especially the mentally disabled ), babies, children, poor, elderly, lonely people, helpless and people in nursing homes or hospitals. In general, two forms of neglect can be distinguished - the physical and the mental.

Physical neglect

This refers to the weakness or lack of care of people, for example, if a patient is not treated or if someone is left lying in the dirt. Also, the wrong allocation and use of medicines in hospitals can be described as poor maintenance. Frequently these are sick and old people affected, particularly patients in hospitals, retirement and nursing homes. Physical neglect can have serious consequences, such as the non-recognition of diseases, sun sores ( decubitus ulcers ), malnutrition, malnutrition and infections. In extreme cases, physical neglect leading to death.

Psychological neglect

Psychological neglect ( emotional neglect) is the loveless and impersonal care of a person, for example, shouting, intimidation, insult, disrespect or scapegoat status of children. This mainly affects children, the sick, patients in nursing homes, the disabled and the elderly in nursing homes.

The consequences of psychological neglect can be seen only at a second glance. In children, it is partly to developmental delays and failures (for example, an adjustment disorder, a stress disorder or attachment disorder ). Adult patients in hospitals or nursing homes suffer from depression, for example, or they regress (acquired skills lost again ). Emotional neglect and constant disrespect can lead to psychological deprivation, nosocomial and non-organic failure to thrive. In children, it leads over the damage to the basic trust regularly to impairment of emotional intelligence.

The physical and / or psychological neglect of children and young people is also called neglect (Art. 6 para 3 of the Basic Law ). Children and Youth Services (as part of the state order ) shall ensure in accordance with § 8a SGB VIII for child protection.

Neglect and violence

Another problem is the physical violence against elderly and the sick in nursing homes and the use of detention measures in homes. It is estimated that annually kills about 10,000 people in residential and nursing homes in Germany to neglect. Often there are too few teachers and nurses in the homes, they are overworked and have little time for patients. People in the caring professions are often already after a few months " burned out " and exhausted and quit the service. For these reasons, it often happens that home occupants beaten, tied up, not washed or fed or be sedated with medication.

Views into the future

Meanwhile, there are first approaches to better care for the chronically ill, the disabled and the elderly. In many ICUs skin contact between mother and baby is now allowed to avoid serious consequences for the child. For disabled people there are for example assisted living. The hospice movement mainly takes care to terminally ill people. The integrative model of life in Geel (Belgium ) has found more imitators in Germany, France and Switzerland.