Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults

Article submitted by Florida's Adult Protective Services System

As Florida's population grows and ages so does the number of vulnerable adults who may need protection from abuse, exploitation, self-neglect, or neglect by their caregivers. Florida Statutes, Chapter 415 provides for one of the most comprehensive and responsive adult protective investigation systems in the nation. From mandatory reporting to 24-hour on-call protective investigators, this state has demonstrated its commitment to the safety of its vulnerable citizens.

A vulnerable adult is a person 18 year of age or older who's ability to perform normal activities of daily living or to otherwise care for and protect themselves is impaired due to mental, long-term physical, emotional or developmental disability or the infirmities of aging. Many such people retire to Florida to enjoy our beaches, golf courses and sunny climate. But in doing so, they leave behind family and long-time friends, those whom they would normally call upon during times of illness or incapacity. Alone and without a loving support system, such people all too frequently fall victim to self-neglect. Unable to drive or walk long distances they cannot shop or keep medical appointments. Frail or sick, they cannot cook or take care of their personal hygiene. Their homes fall into disrepair, sometimes dangerously so, and bills go unpaid. These people are often isolated and invisible, unable, unwilling or too embarrassed to ask for help.

Abuse and neglect by caregivers happens in many different settings. Sometimes paid caregivers in long-term settings like nursing homes and adult living facilities physically or emotionally mistreat residents (abuse) or fail to provide the care, services or supervision they need (neglect). However, the majority of abuse and neglect takes place at home where the vulnerable adult is cared for by their spouse, adult children or paid home care assistants. Physical abuse can range from slapping or shoving to severe beatings, restraining using ropes or chains and poisoning. Emotional abuse can take the form of name-calling, derisive comments, intimidation or threats of harm or institutionalization. Neglect can result when caregivers fail to provide appropriate supervision, food, clothing, shelter or medical care that the vulnerable adult needs for their health and safety.

Exploitation occurs when a vulnerable adult's funds, assets or property are used for the benefit of someone other than the vulnerable adult. This can occur through deception or intimidation or by taking advantage of someone who is mentally unable to consent to such use of his or her funds. Exploitation takes many forms including misuse of powers of attorney, unauthorized sale or transfer of property, unauthorized taking of personal assets or the negligent failure to effectively use a vulnerable adult's income and assets for their care.

A call to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) is the first step in initiating a protective investigation. In response to reports received from the Hotline, local Department of Children and Families adult protective investigators are dispatched to the location of the victim to assess their risk and evaluate the need for services. To assess risk, the protective investigator considers the severity of the injury or harm to the victim, the physical and mental ability of the victim to protect himself or herself, the physical environment, and the likelihood that the victim will be harmed in the future. Based on this assessment the protective investigator develops a plan of action to protect the victim from further harm. This may involve the provision of immediate medical care, placement in the home of a relative or friend, or in an assisted living facility or nursing home. In some cases a referral to community service agencies for home delivered meals, transportation or in-home care is enough to meet the victim's needs. In all cases, a victim who is capable of making his/her own decisions must request or consent to such placement or services.

Every person deserves to be safe from self-neglect or harm by those who live with them, care for them, or come in day-to-day contact with them. If you know or even suspect that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or exploited, Florida law requires you to make a report to the Florida Abuse Hotline. It will only take a few moments of your time and it may save a life!