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:
- 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
- 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
- Lack of personal privacy when washing and going to the bathroom
How to protect yourself as a vulnerable adult:
- Ensure you have strong support of family and friends who you can trust and confide in
- Avoid social isolation
- Keep up to date with medical appointments
- Make sure you have your phone and access to your emails and letters
- Know your legal and human rights
- Trust your instincts
- If you need help do not hesitate to ask
- If someone asks to stay with you make sure you check if they have a background of abusing people, have addictions, or have mental health conditions that can put you at risk.
- Remember there are always people that you can tell, like friends, family, doctors, carers or police if needed. You won’t look silly and people are there to help. If you don’t trust friends or family you can go straight to the police, doctor, or call 101/999.
What to do if you suspect abuse of a vulnerable adult
Victims of abuse may have explanations for their injuries, but if you suspect they are being abused, trust those instincts and make sure you address those concerns until you are satisfied that the person is safe. Firstly, start by raising your concerns with the person you suspect is being abused, preferably in private to respect their dignity.
Outlined below are useful tips you can start with:
- Have a notepad on hand; you might need to write some details down for later and it’s better to be prepared.
- Make the person aware that if they disclose anything that makes you concerned, you have to make sure they are safe and that might mean making a report. Refrain from promising you won’t tell anyone as you may need to get help from official authorities.
- Make it aware you have noticed a change
If someone is confiding in, you listen without interrupting. Stay calm and show you are paying attention; this will show you can be trusted. - Be patient. It may take time for someone to tell you the whole story of their abuse.
- Make it clear that they have done the right thing and if you have concerns, mention this to them. It’s ok to say that you think they are being abused and that you’d like to do something to make it better.
- Ask the person what they would like to do and do not pressure them into doing what you may want them to unless they are in imminent danger.
How to report the abuse of a vulnerable adult
If you suspect that the vulnerable adult in question is in imminent danger contact the police immediately. You could also talk to the vulnerable adults GP because every GP has to safeguard protocols when abuse is reported. Make sure you raise it as a “safeguarding concern’. The local authority also has a safeguarding team that can help the vulnerable adult if the abuse is reported to them. Check the local authority’s website for their contact details.
10.13