As we get older, older people (elderly) are at risk of experiencing many health problems. Starting from decreased ability to move, senility, urinary incontinence (bedwetting), to withdraw from the surrounding environment. In addition to physical health problems, the elderly can also experience social and psychological problems related to psychology. In the most extreme conditions, this disorder is called Diogenes syndrome. If you find it difficult to care for the elderly, senior care dallas can help you.
Diogenes syndrome is a behavior disorder characterized by behaviors that neglect extreme self-care. Patients tend to withdraw from the social environment, do not feel embarrassed, and have the habit of stacking their things into a mess. Elderly people with this syndrome don’t care about themselves. As a result, the house or room becomes very dirty, spots and smells of urine and feces are scattered everywhere until the items are scattered in various corners of the room. This condition makes the elderly live in unhealthy conditions and can cause new problems such as pneumonia, frequent falls, even fires that can threaten safety.
Signs and symptoms of this syndrome appear over time. However, this condition is more visible in someone over the age of 60 and who has intelligence above average. The most typical symptom is that patients tend to prefer to be alone without interacting with others and the environment. They often show strange behaviors and turn out to be very uncaring. The easily observed symptoms of Diogenes syndrome are as follows:
– A skin rash arises because of poor hygiene
– Tangle and messy hair
– Nails and toes tend long
– Body odor
– The appearance is not maintained
– There is a wound that has no known cause
– Malnutrition or poor nutrition
– Dehydration
– The condition of living quarters is messy, dirty, and lots of piles of goods or garbage
– Refuse help or help from others
Although the symptoms appear gradually and for a long time, you need to be aware of the risk factors that can trigger this psychiatric syndrome. Risk factors generally lead to more traumatic feelings due to past events, such as the death of a spouse or close family, retirement, divorce, loss of trusted friends, to a history of substance abuse.