Who is a Vulnerable Adult?

The vulnerable adult is a person 18 years of age or older who is:

At risk due to mental and/or physical impairments and potentially unable to care for themselves and live independently.

Anyone who lives and/or receives services from a licensed facility.

Related services, adult protection services, may include, case planning, consultation, crisis intervention, providing intake for maltreatment reports, investigation of vulnerable adult maltreatment reports, and commitment guardianship/conservatorship

How is maltreatment defined?

Abuse:

• Physical
• Emotional
• Mental
• Sexual
• Involuntary Servitude

Neglect:

• Failure or omission to provide for basic needs
• Absence of care or services essential to maintain health and safety
• Neglect may be by caregiver or self-neglect

Financial Exploitation:

• Person has fiduciary relationship: guardian/conservator/power of attorney/joint account/contract/documented consent/etc. and there is unauthorized expenditure of funds or failure to use funds for VA and resulting or likely to result in detriment to VA.
• Person has no fiduciary relationship and
  •  Willfully uses / withholds/disposes of funds/property of VA
  • - Obtains for self or another services to the detriment of the VA
  • - Acquires possession / control / interest in VA’s property / funds through harassment / undue influence / duress      deception / fraud and
  • - Forces / compels / coerces / entices VA to perform services for another’s advantage.

For concerns or questions about vulnerable adults: 844-880-1574      

or mn.gov/dhs/reportadultabuse/