Senile Breakdown in Standards of Personal and Environmental Cleanliness

Abstract

A group of 72 individuals exhibiting evidence of personal and environmental lack of hygiene and deterioration in social standards was studied over a period of four years. The incidence was of the order of 0.5 per 1,000 population over 60. Most of the patients were over 70 years old, and women far outnumbered men. Isolation, a certain type of personality, bereavement, and alcoholism were found to be important factors in causation. Slightly over half the patients showed psychotic symptoms. There is often a positive rejection of society and resistance to offers of help. It is suggested that the condition may be considered as a syndrome. © 1966, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.