For the vulnerable elderly and disabled , silence can be just as painful as actual abuse, neglect, self neglect and exploitation. Unless the silence is broken, help never comes.
There are vulnerable adults in Idaho who are unable to protect themselves from abuse or exploitation by others. There are also vulnerable adults who are neglected by persons caring for them. Still other vulnerable adults are unable to care for themselves and have no one else to help them.
Adult Protective Services helps to protect vulnerable adults by investigating reports of Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect and Self Neglect of Vulnerable Adults. Adult Protective Services works with the individual, the family and other agencies to find solutions.
The Idaho Adult Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Act (Idaho Statute Title 39 Chapter 39) defines the following:
What is a Vulnerable Adult? A person eighteen (18) years of age or older who is unable to protect him/herself from abuse, neglect or exploitation due to physical or mental impairment which affects the person's judgment or behavior to the extent that they lack sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate or implement decisions regarding their person.
What is Abuse? The intentional or negligent infliction of physical pain, injury or mental injury.
What is Exploitation? Any action which may include, but is not limited to, the unjust or improper use of a vulnerable adult's financial power of attorney, funds, property, or resources by another person for profit or advantage.
What is Neglect? Failure of a caregiver to provide food, clothing, shelter or medical care reasonably necessary to sustain the life and health of a vulnerable adult.
What is Self Neglect? Failure of a vulnerable adult to provide food, clothing, shelter or medical care reasonably necessary to sustain their own life and health.
