Neglect

“Neglect” is when a person with responsibility for a vulnerable adult fails to provide necessary goods or services, fails to prevent physical or mental harm, or puts the vulnerable adult in danger. Examples include not providing basic items such as food, water, clothing, a safe place to live, medicine, or health care, etc.

Signs of neglect include:

• untreated injuries, health, or dental problems;
• the vulnerable adult does not have the right type of clothing for the season;
• lack of food;
• hazardous, unsanitary, or unsafe living conditions (i.e. no heat, no running water);
• animal or insect infestation;
• empty or unmarked medicine bottles or outdated prescriptions;
• loss of eyeglasses, dentures, or other assistive devices;
• untreated pressure injuries;
• soiled clothing or bed;
• the vulnerable adult is dirty or smells of urine or feces; or
• the vulnerable adult reports neglect.

Abandonment

“Abandonment” means action or inaction by a person or entity with a duty of care for a vulnerable adult that leaves the vulnerable person without the means or ability to obtain necessary food, clothing, shelter, or health care. Examples include deserting a vulnerable adult in a public place, leaving a vulnerable adult at home without the means of getting basic life necessities, or a caregiver working in a client’s home who quits without notice.

Signs of abandonment include:

• the vulnerable adult is left in a public place without the means to care for themselves;

• the vulnerable adult is left alone at home and not able to care for themselves safely;
• the caregiver does not show up to provide needed care resulting in an unsafe situation for the vulnerable adult;
• the caregiver quits without notifying the case manager, supervisor, the vulnerable adult, or the vulnerable adult’s contact;
• the vulnerable adult reports abandonment;
• not following the care plan;
• mismanaging medications; or
• failure to address or report health concerns.