Protecting Adults

Definition and Signs of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

Abuse
“Abuse” means knowingly, intentionally or negligently and without justifiable cause inflicting physical pain, injury or mental anguish; the intentional deprivation by a caretaker or other person of services necessary to maintain the mental and physical health of an adult; or sexual abuse, including criminal sexual contact, incest and criminal sexual penetration.

Signs of Abuse may cause various injuries but not limited to scratches, cuts, bruises, burns, broken bones, or bedsores. It can also result in confinement, rape or sexual misconduct, and verbal or psychological abuse.

Neglect
“Neglect” means the failure of the caretaker of an adult to provide for the basic needs of the adult, such as clothing, food, shelter, supervision and care for the physical and mental health of that adult; “neglect” includes self-neglect.

Signs of Neglect may cause starvation, dehydration, over- or under-medication, unsanitary living conditions, and lack of personal hygiene. Neglected adults may also not have heat, running water, electricity, or medical care.

Exploitation
“Exploitation” means unjust or improper use of an adult’s money or property for another person’s profit or advantage, pecuniary or otherwise.

Signs of Exploitation may result in loss of property, money, or income. Exploitation means misusing the resources of an elderly or disabled person for personal or monetary benefit. This includes taking Social Security or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) checks, misusing a joint checking account, or taking property and other resources.