What Is Abuse?

What is Abuse?

Abuse is a form of mistreatment by one individual that causes harm to another person

These are commonly reported types of abuse* received by Adult Protective Services agencies:

• Physical abuse:
  • slapping, hitting, beating, bruising
  • causing someone physical pain, injury or suffering.
  • include confining an adult against his/her will, such as locking someone in a room or tying him/her to furniture.
• Emotional abuse:
  • creating emotional pain,
  • distress or anguish through the use of threats,
  • intimidation or humiliation.
• Insults, yelling or threats of harm and/or isolation,
  • non-verbal actions such as throwing objects
  • glaring to project fear and/or intimidation.
• Neglect:
  • failure to support the physical, emotional and social needs of adults dependent on others for their primary care.
  • withholding food, medications or access to health care professionals.
• Isolation:
  • involves restricting visits from family and friends
  • preventing contact via telephone or mail correspondence.
• Financial or material exploitation:
  • includes the misuse, mishandling or exploitation of property, possessions or assets of adults.
  • using assets without consent, under false pretense, or through coercion and/or manipulation.
• Abandonment: involves desertion by anyone who assumed care responsibilities for an adult.
• Sexual abuse:
  • physical force, threats or coercion to facilitate non-consensual touching, fondling, intercourse or other sexual activities.
  • This is particularly true with vulnerable adults who are unable to give consent or comprehend the nature of these actions.
• Self-neglect:
  • involves seniors or adults with disabilities who fail to meet their own essential physical, psychological or social needs, which threatens their health, safety and well-being.
  • includes failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter and health care for one’s own needs.

What Is Abuse?

• Definitions of abuse vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Adult Protective Services was contacted in Nevada regarding the treatment of Casey.

http://adsd.nv.gov/Programs/Seniors/EPS/EPS_Prog/

All of the items below were ‘checked’:

When to Report Checklist

Contact your local Adult Protective Services agency anytime you observe or suspect the following:

• Sudden inability to meet essential physical, psychological or social needs which threatens health, safety or well-being
• Disappearing from contact with neighbors, friends or family
• Appearing hungry, malnourished, or with a sudden weight loss
• Appearing disoriented or confused
• Suddenly appearing disheveled or wearing soiled clothing
• Failing by caregiver(s) to arrive as scheduled — or disappearing without notice
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or insignificance
• Failing to take prescribed medications or nutritional supplements
• Blaming self for problems arising with family or caregivers
• Living in squalor or hazardous situations such as hoarding or cluttering

Nevada Adult Protective Services did. Absolutely. Nothing.

I guess their definition of abuse foes not match the NAPSA’s definition.

So what?

Casey is only one YOUNG disabled adult!