Which description defines a vulnerable adult?

Which description defines a vulnerable adult?

• A. 18 years or older with intellectual disability or physical dysfunction unable to carry out all or portion of the activities of daily living
• B. 65 years or older with no impairment
• C. 18- years old with disability
• D. Caregiver of elderly

Answer: (A)

A vulnerable adult is an adult 18 or older who has a disability or impairment that prevents them from fully protecting themselves or performing some or all activities of daily living. The key idea is a combination of age (adult) and a meaningful impairment that makes them dependent on others for safety and basic self-care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and toileting. This description fits someone who is at risk due to intellectual disability or physical dysfunction and cannot carry out all or part of those daily tasks without assistance. The other options don’t describe this situation: an elderly person with no impairment isn’t showing impairment that affects daily living; an 18+ person with a disability is close but doesn’t specify the inability to perform daily activities; and a caregiver is the person providing care, not the vulnerable individual in need of protection.

A vulnerable adult is an adult 18 or older who has a disability or impairment that prevents them from fully protecting themselves or performing some or all activities of daily living. The key idea is a combination of age (adult) and a meaningful impairment that makes them dependent on others for safety and basic self-care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and toileting.

This description fits someone who is at risk due to intellectual disability or physical dysfunction and cannot carry out all or part of those daily tasks without assistance. The other options don’t describe this situation: an elderly person with no impairment isn’t showing impairment that affects daily living; an 18+ person with a disability is close but doesn’t specify the inability to perform daily activities; and a caregiver is the person providing care, not the vulnerable individual in need of protection.