Abuse in Vulnerable Adults

Overview

Home Care Aides support vulnerable adults. Part of that support is to watch for, recognize, and immediately report signs of abuse, abandonment, neglect, and financial exploitation. Home Care Aides must understand their roles as mandatory reporters and be aware of the risk factors and signs of mistreatment.

Mandatory Reporting

Washington State Law (RCW 74.34) lists Home Care Aides as mandatory reporters for all allegations of abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect. As a Home Care Aide, you must immediately report to DSHS if you have reason to believe any vulnerable adult is being harmed. You must report as soon as you and the client are safe to do so. Your responsibilities as a mandatory reporter continue whether you are at work or not (24 hours a day, 7 days/week) and include any vulnerable adult – not just the client(s) you work with. If you suspect physical or sexual assault, you must report it to law enforcement and the appropriate DSHS department. If you think a vulnerable adult may be in danger or needs urgent help, call 911. Then report it to DSHS.

It is critical that you take your role as a mandatory reporter seriously. For every case of abuse reported, national statistics show as many as four cases go unreported. This means the majority of vulnerable adults being harmed continue to suffer – often without any way of getting help. You can’t let anything stop you from reporting. If you do, you are breaking the law and could be risking someone’s life or continued suffering if they are being harmed.

If the person is in immediate danger, call 911.

Risk Factors

There is no single pattern for what causes abuse or who may be harmed. Abuse happens to people of all genders, ethnic backgrounds, and social positions. What is known includes:

the abuser is often (though not always) a family member or spouse;
abuse takes place both in private homes and community care settings; and
vulnerable adults are at a higher risk of abuse.

Families and Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult

Family situations that can contribute to abuse are:

a history of violence within the family;
social isolation of the vulnerable adult;
changes in living situations and relationships;
a vulnerable adult’s growing or continued frailty and/or dependence;
additional emotional and financial stresses;
emotional or psychological problems; and
drug or alcohol problems.

Abuse, like any form of violence, is never an acceptable response to any problem.

Mistreatment in Residential Facilities

Residential facilities often have a larger client population and more complex social relationships.
Client-to-client abuse is more common in residential facilities. Risk factors for client-to-client abuse include:

residential clients with dementia, cognitive impairments or behavioral problems;
facilities/homes with younger mentally ill residents, and/or residents with a history of violence; and
residential clients with depression, delusions, or hallucinations.