Protecting a vulnerable adult

Who is a vulnerable adult?

A vulnerable adult is anyone over the age of 18 years who is incapable of protecting themselves against harm or being exploited. These are often people who are unable to look after themselves or require additional support.

 

A vulnerable adult can be anyone of the following category: 

• Elderly; 
• Have a learning or physical disability;
• With sensory impairment;
• Have mental health problems such as depression or PTSD;
• Diagnosed personality disorder;
• Long term illness affecting their daily life;
• Have dementia; 
• Substance and alcohol abuses;
• Incapacitated adults; 
• Someone in a vulnerable state of mind e.g., loss of job or grieving;
• Domestic violence victims; or a
• Homeless person.

 

Any adult in these categories may not automatically be considered vulnerable, but their circumstance will have to be taken into consideration. A person can be vulnerable temporarily, like when they’re going through a divorce or recovering from an illness or trauma. 

 

Organisational or institutional abuse towards vulnerable adults:

Organisational and institutional abuse of vulnerable adults occurs where there is neglect in an institutional or care setting. For example, not allowing flexibility with bedtime, or not allowing individuals to have a choice of their meals. Institutional abuse can also include physical, psychological, financial and sexual abuse. 

 

The following signs can indicate institutional abuse:

• Lack of choice/flexibility;
• Short staff in a care setting;
• Lack of training and supervision for staff;
• Constant hunger and dehydration in adults;
• Unsatisfactory standard of care (including lack of care plans);
• Lack of clothing and possessions;
• Misplacement and poor keep of confidential records;
• Lack of social, recreational or educational activities;
• Lack of confidentiality in staff;
• Lack of adequate procedure; and
• Lack of personal privacy when washing and going to the bathroom.

 

How to protect yourself as a vulnerable adult:

• Ensure you have the strong support of family and friends who you can trust and confide in;
• Avoid social isolation, or to
• Keep up to date with medical appointments.

How we can help

To gain our assistance you need to open a case, this is done by taking advantage of our free consultation service, activated by the link at the top of the page, should you wish to start a case the caseworker will send you the suitable payment link.

 

Please note your caseworker can only give generic advice, their role is to prepare your details for handling by our appointed financial advisor and to act as your point of contact, they will also issue you with your Password and PIN, these will be needed to log onto your client dashboard. From your dashboard you will be able to manage and view every aspect of your case, upload documents, images, files etc.