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Arizona Adult Protective Services Definitions

The following information gives definitions to assist in determining signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation. These factors should be considered when evaluating a facility and in how (and to whom) to report these cases.

Vulnerable Adult

Definition

A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(10)
"Vulnerable adult" means an individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a physical or mental impairment. Vulnerable adult includes an incapacitated person as defined in section 14-5101.

A.R.S. §14-5101(3)
"Incapacitated person" means any person who is impaired by reason of mental illness, mental deficiency, mental disorder, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs, chronic intoxication or other cause, except minority, to the extent that he lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning his person.  In cases of limited guardianship only, a person is not deemed an incapacitated person for purposes of voting if the person files a petition and has a hearing and the judge determines by clear and convincing evidence that the person retains sufficient understanding to exercise the right to vote pursuant to section 14-5304.02.

Abuse

Definition

A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(1)
"Abuse" means: 

  1. Intentional infliction of physical harm.
  2. Injury caused by negligent acts or omissions.
  3. Unreasonable confinement.
  4. Sexual abuse or sexual assault.
  5. Emotional abuse.

Signs of Abuse

Include, but are not limited to:

  • Unexplained bruises, welts, sores, cuts or abrasions in places they would normally not be expected
  • Bruising and other injuries may be in different stages of healing
  • Bruising or other markings reflect the shape of the objects used to inflict the injuries, e.g., electrical cord or belt buckles, etc.
  • Bilateral bruising on upper arms from shaking
  • Fractures in different stages of healing
  • Cigar and cigarette burns
  • Submersion burns, e.g., sock like, glove like, doughnut like shaped on buttocks. Can also be patterned like objects used, i.e., electric burner
  • Rope burns on arms/wrists, legs/ankles from improperly tying or bandaging the client

Neglect

Definition

A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(7)
"Neglect" means the deprivation of food, water, medication, medical services, shelter, supervision, cooling, heating or other services necessary to maintain a vulnerable adult's minimum physical or mental health.

Signs of Neglect

Include, but are not limited to:

  • Bedsores (pressure sores)
  • Unkempt, dirty, body odor, feces on body
  • Clothing is insufficient or inappropriate for the weather
  • Fleas & lice on individual
  • Malnourished & dehydrated
  • Little or no food available

Signs of Self-Neglect

Please note - this is not a legal definition

An adult’s inability due to physical or mental impairment diminished capacity, to perform essential self-care tasks, including:

  • Obtaining essential food, clothing, shelter, and medical care
  • Obtaining goods and services necessary to maintain physical health, mental health or general safety
  • Managing one’s own financial affairs
  • Soiled or urine-soaked bedding

Exploitation

Definition

A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(5)
"Exploitation" means the illegal or improper use of a vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult's resources for another's profit or advantage.

Financial Exploitation

The wrongful or unauthorized taking, withholding, appropriating or use of money, assets or property of vulnerable adult OR any act or omission taken by a person, including through the use of a power of attorney, guardianship or conservatorship of vulnerable adult, to either:
obtain control through deception, intimidation or undue influence over the vulnerable adult’s money, assets or property to deprive the eligible adult of the ownership, use, benefit or possession of the  eligible adult's money, assets or property.
convert money, assets or property of the vulnerable adult to deprive the vulnerable adult of the ownership, use, benefit or possession of  the vulnerable adult's money, assets or property.

Signs of Financial Exploitation

Include but are not limited to:

  • Accompanied by a stranger to the bank who encourages them to withdraw large amounts of cash
  • Accompanied by a family member or other person who seems to coerce them into making transactions
  • Client not allowed to speak for themselves or make decisions
  • Implausible explanation about what they are doing with their money
  • Concerned or confused about "missing" funds in their accounts
  • Neglected or receiving insufficient care given their financial status
  • Isolated from others, even family members
  • Unable to remember financial transactions or signing paperwork
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