Medical Neglect

Failure by a parent or other caregiver to provide adequate medical, dental, or mental health care for a child, elder, disabled, or other vulnerable person in their care. Can also involve refusal by a parent or caregiver to heed and take action in response to obvious signs of serious illness or to adhere to medical instructions, regimens, or advice provided by a physician or other health services provider for a dependent person in their care. Sometimes subsumed under physical neglect.