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Who are Vulnerable Adults?
Vulnerable Adults are adults at risk because they lack the physical or mental capacity to provide for their own daily needs. They are deprived of services because they do not have the ability to obtain or use essential services without support or assistance.
What is Abuse?
Abuse is any physical injury sustained by cruel or inhumane treatment as a result of or malicious acts by another person. It can be, but is not limited to:
- Words or gestures intended to harm another person
- Physical injuries
- Physical restraint of another person against their will.
What is Neglect?
Neglect is willful deprivation of:
- Food
- Clothing
- Medical treatment
- Habilitative therapy
- Shelter
- Supervision
- Daily hygiene or grooming needs
What is Exploitation?
Exploitation is the misuse of a vulnerable adult's money, property, or person.
What is Self-Neglect?
Self Neglect is the inability of a vulnerable adult to provide himself/herself with services that are necessary for his/her physical and/or mental health without which the adult's well being is impaired and/or threatened.
What Should I Look For?
- Bruises or broken bones explained by frequent falls
- Weight loss blaimed onillness or lack of appetite
- Confusion or "dementia"
- An adult who rarely goes out side or rarely has visitors
- Dirt, fleas, lice, rashes, or sores
- Inadequate clothing
- Untreated medical conditions
- Hazardous environment (many animals, noheat, infestations,etc.)
- Wandering or frequenting dangerous places
- Refusal of medical treatment
- Disorientation to time and place
- Constantly losing or missplacing things
- Uncashed checks
- Unpaid bills
- Unable to do housework.
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