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((Short description|Adult who is not able to care for themself))
((redirect|Vulnerable people|vulnerable children|Child protection))
((multiple issues|
((globalize|date=February 2017))
((more citations needed|date=June 2013))
((Expert needed|sociology|reason=a need to provide sociological evidence of clinical-level vulnerability|date=May 2013))
))
A '''vulnerable adult''' is an adult who, due to [[Mental impairment|mental]] or [[functional impairment|bodily disability]], cannot take care of themselves without help from others.<ref>((Cite web |title=Vulnerable Adult ((!)) DSHS |url=https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/vulnerable-adult |access-date=2020-09-20 |website=www.dshs.wa.gov))</ref><ref>((Cite web |date=November 8, 2021 |title=Vulnerable Adult Protective Services Program |url=https://www.nd.gov/dhs/info/pubs/docs/aging/fact-sheet-vulnerable-adults-protective-services.pdf))</ref> 

==Causes==
Adults usually become vulnerable by [[cognitive impairment]] such as [[Down syndrome]]. Aging can cause or worsen a person's vulnerability, by physical decrepitude and/or lack of money.<ref>((Cite journal |last=Gunnarsson |first=E |date=2002 |title=The vulnerable life course: poverty and social assistance among middle-aged and older women |url=https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X02008978 |journal=Ageing & Society |volume=22 |issue=6 |pages=709–728 |doi=10.1017/S0144686X02008978 |s2cid=144931957 |via=Cambridge University Press))</ref><ref>((Cite journal |last=Lloyd-Sherlock |first=P |date=2000 |title=Old age and poverty in developing countries: new policy challenges |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(00)00077-2 |journal=World Development |volume=28 |issue=12 |pages=2157–2168 |doi=10.1016/S0305-750X(00)00077-2 |via=Elsevier Science Direct))</ref><ref>((Cite web |last=Patsios |first=Demi |date=1999 |title=Poverty and Social Exclusion Amongst the Elderly |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/poverty/downloads/povertyandsocialexclusionsurvey/pse/99PSE-WP20.pdf |access-date=20 November 2021))</ref>

Many vulnerable adults have suffered abuse,<ref>((Cite web |date=31 March 2021 |title=Safeguarding Adults. Safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse |url=https://patient.info/doctor/safeguarding-adults-pro |access-date=2022-01-31 |website=patient.info |language=en))</ref> the [[Abuse#Effects of abuse on victims|long-term effects of which]] may aggravate their vulnerability.

==Effects==
A vulnerable adult's day-to-day is usually impaired. Their cognitive impairment ranges from mild to severe. 'Mild' includes illiteracy, poor communication, and other practical deficits. 'Severe' can include severe [[learning disabilities]]. These make it hard to talk to normal people. International initiatives (such as the UN's [[Sustainable Development Goal 4]]) try to fix this by giving them a fair chance to learn.<ref>((Cite web|title=SDG4's 10 targets|url=https://www.campaignforeducation.org/en/who-we-are/the-international-education-framework-2/the-sustainable-development-goal-4/sdg4s-10-targets/|access-date=2020-09-22|website=Global Campaign For Education|language=en-US))</ref>

Vulnerable adults' [[Cognitive Impairment|cognitive impairment]] puts them at greater-than-usual risk of [[abuse]] ([[Domestic Abuse|domestic]] or [[institutional abuse|institutional]]) and exploitation.<ref>((Cite web|date=February 26, 2020|title=Abuse in Vulnerable Adults|url=https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/abs2272))</ref> Domestic abuse happens in their house by someone they know. It can be physical, emotional, or whatever else.<ref>((Cite web|title=Types and Signs of Abuse ((!)) DSHS|url=https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/types-and-signs-abuse|access-date=2022-01-31|website=www.dshs.wa.gov))</ref> Institutional abuse happens in places like care homes, nursing homes, and hospitals, and includes bullying and overbearing control.<ref>((Cite web|last=Davies|first=Elliot|title=What is Institutional Abuse? Definitions, Signs & Symptoms|date=8 May 2019 |url=https://www.anncrafttrust.org/institutional-abuse-definitions-signs-symptoms/))</ref> Neglect causes people to be shabby-looking, skinny, or even crazy, though some more than others and some not at all.<ref>((Cite web|title=Self Neglect|url=https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/self-neglect))</ref>

Vulnerable adults often live in [[assisted living]] facilities or [[council estate]]s, depending how much money their country has and how vulnerable it thinks they are.

== Treatment ==
Vulnerable adults may be offered [[Trauma counseling#The post-trauma self|trauma counselling]] or [[assisted living]]. Another terrible option is to make them [[homelessness|homeless]] and leave them to die.<ref name=":2">((Cite web |last=Dohler, Bailey, Rice, and Katch |date=May 31, 2016 |title=Supportive Housing Helps Vulnerable People Live and Thrive in the Community |url=https://housingis.org/sites/default/files/supportive%20housing%20cbpp%20paper.pdf |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Policy Futures))</ref>

==Legal protection==
A vulnerable person's [[legal status]] depends on the extent of their impairment. This can be difficult to assess. Some vulnerable people may not qualify for [[long-term care]] despite being generally incompetent.

Vulnerable adults sometimes have guardians, individuals with a legal right to make decisions on their behalf.<ref name=":1">((Cite web|title=Acrobat Accessibility Report|url=https://ncd.gov/sites/default/files/NCD_Turning-Rights-into-Reality_508_0.pdf|access-date=2022-02-07|website=ncd.gov|language=en-us))</ref> These may include decisions about medical care and housing. Guardians may be family or friends,<ref name=":1" /> or they may be professionals who make decisions on behalf of many vulnerable people in exchange for their money.<ref name=":1" />

In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], the [[Data Protection Act 1998|Data Protection Act]] protects vulnerable people's information even from those trying to help them. Vulnerable adults elsewhere can avoid this problem by giving someone [[power of attorney]].

=== By country ===

==== England and Wales ====
<small>NB The definition of a vulnerable adult in Section 59 of the 2006 Act is modified by the [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/1797/article/2/made Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2009], which excludes disabilities which don't make an adult vulnerable.</small>

In the law of [[England and Wales]] 'vulnerable adult' is loosely defined. Section 59 of the [[Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006]] says:<ref name=":0">((Cite web|title=Safeguarding Adults. Safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse|url=https://patient.info/doctor/safeguarding-adults-pro|access-date=2020-09-20|website=patient.info|language=en))</ref><blockquote>1) A person is a vulnerable adult if he has attained the age of 18 and—

(a) he is in residential accommodation,

(b) he is in sheltered housing,

(c) he receives domiciliary care,

(d) he receives any form of health care,

(e) he is detained in lawful custody,

(f) he is by virtue of an order of a court under supervision by a person exercising functions for the purposes of Part 1 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43),

(g) he receives a welfare service of a prescribed description,

(h) he receives any service or participates in any activity provided specifically for persons who fall within subsection (9),

(i) payments are made to him (or to another on his behalf) in pursuance of arrangements under section 57 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (c. 15), or

(j) he requires assistance in the conduct of his own affairs.<ref name="SVGA2006">((cite web|title=Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/47/pdfs/ukpga_20060047_en.pdf|publisher=The National Archives on behalf of HM Government|access-date=10 March 2014|page=42))</ref></blockquote>In most parts of the world, the last section, (j), is what defines a vulnerable adult.<ref name=":0" />

People are starting to say 'adult at risk' or 'adult at risk of harm'<ref>Ann Craft Trust, [https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/safeguarding-adults-at-risk-definitions/ Safeguarding Adults at Risk Definitions], accessed 21 October 2018</ref> instead of 'vulnerable adult'.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.bsab.org/what-is-abuse/who-is-at-risk/ |title=Definition of an adult at risk |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2014 |website=Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board |access-date=9 December 2014))</ref>

==== Singapore ====
In Singapore, the Vulnerable Adults Act ("the Act") was signed on 19 December 2018.<ref>((Cite web|date=December 19, 2018|title=VULNERABLE ADULTS ACT 2018|url=https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/VAA2018))</ref> The Act defines that a vulnerable adult includes anyone over 18 years old whose mental or physical disabilities leave them helpless against abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, which terms are defined in s.2.<ref>((Cite web|title=Understanding the Vulnerable Adults Act|url=https://www.lawsociety.org.sg/our-community/legal-fact-check/understanding-the-vulnerable-adults-act/|access-date=2020-09-20|website=The Law Society of Singapore|language=en-US))</ref><ref>((Cite web|title=Vulnerable Adults Act 2018 - Singapore Statutes Online|url=https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/VAA2018|access-date=2020-09-20|website=sso.agc.gov.sg|language=en))</ref>

==== United States ====
The United States uses the term "incapacitated adult" interchangeably with the term "vulnerable adult". The Department of Justice defines this as "an adult who is unable to receive and evaluate information or make or communicate informed decisions to such an extent that the adult lacks the ability to meet essential requirements for physical health, safety or self-care, even with reasonably available appropriate technological assistance" (''Civil Financial Exploitation'' 22 M.R.S. § 3472 (2020)<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/prosecutors/statutes | title=Elder Abuse and Elder Financial Exploitation Statutes &#124; EJI &#124; Department of Justice ))</ref>).

In 2012, Governor [[Mark Dayton]] of [[Minnesota]] signed a [[Bipartisanship|bipartisan]] bill for vulnerable adults which made abuse and neglect into felony offenses. The bill also increased the penalties for those who use restraints to harm children.<ref>((Cite web|date=2012-04-18|title=Gov. Dayton signs vulnerable adults bill, making intentional abuse or neglect a felony|url=https://www.minnpost.com/political-agenda/2012/04/gov-dayton-signs-vulnerable-adults-bill-making-intentional-abuse-or-neglect/|access-date=2020-09-20|website=MinnPost|language=en-US))</ref>
[[File:Governor of Minnesota Protecting Vulnerable Adults (6960486430).jpg|thumb|Governor of Minnesota signs bill to protect vulnerable adults with key proponents and legislators]]Lawmakers worked with health care workers and the nurses union to craft the law. The [[Minnesota Nurses Association]] said:<ref>((Cite web|date=2012-01-12|title=MNA Statement on vulnerable adult crime bill introduced in MN Legislature|url=https://mnnurses.org/mna-statement-on-vulnerable-adult-crime-bill-introduced-in-mn-legislature/|access-date=2020-09-20|website=Minnesota Nurses Association|language=en-US))</ref>((blockquote|''The compromise was an effort between all parties to protect the rights of workers in cases of understaffing, while giving the county attorney the right to charge someone who intends to neglect a vulnerable adult with a felony as opposed to a gross misdemeanor.'')) Before this law, the most severe charges were gross [[misdemeanors]] with no prison time. This law means that bodily injury carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison or up to $10,000 fine or both. On the other hand, partial or considerable bodily harm could bring up to five years in prison and/or up to $5,000 in fines.<ref>((Cite web|title=Gov. Dayton signs bill protecting vulnerable adults|url=https://www.inforum.com/news/3016888-gov-dayton-signs-bill-protecting-vulnerable-adults|access-date=2020-09-20|website=INFORUM|date=18 April 2012 |language=en))</ref>

==== Latin America and the Caribbean ====
An estimated 12% of Latin America and the Caribbean has a disability. This amounts to 66 million people. The [[United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean|ECLAC]] has allocated resources to examine what can be done for housing for disabled people as well programs for education and employment.<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.cepal.org/notes/74/Titulares2 | title=Disability in Latin America and the Caribbean – Public Policy Challenges &#124; ECLAC ))</ref>

==See also==
* [[Institutional abuse]]
* [[Hague Protection of Adults Convention]]

== References ==
<references />
* ((cite web |title=Disability in Latin America and the Caribbean |url=https://www.cepal.org/notes/74/Titulares2 |website=Cepal.org |access-date=7 December 2021))
((Young adult development))
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[[Category:Vulnerable adults| ]]
[[Category:Sociological terminology]]

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