Abuse of an Elder/Dependent Adult: Any conditions described by physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment resulting in financial harm, physical harm, or mental suffering.
Dependent Adult: Any person between the ages of 18 and 64 years who either:
- Resides in this state and has physical or mental limitations that restrict their ability to carry out normal activities or to protect their rights, including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental disabilities, or whose physical or mental abilities have diminished because of age; or
- Is admitted as an inpatient to a 24-hour health facility.
Developmental Disability: A disability that originates before an individual attains 18 years of age; continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely; and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. This term shall include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. This term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with an intellectual disability, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature.
Elder: Any person residing in this state, 65 years of age or older.
Mandated Reporter: Any person who has assumed full or intermittent responsibility for care or custody of an elder or dependent adult, whether or not that person receives compensation, including administrators, supervisors, and any licensed staff of a public or private facility that provides care or services for elder or dependent adults, or any elder or dependent adult care custodian, health practitioner, clergy member, or employee of a county adult protective services agency or a local law enforcement agency, is a mandated reporter.
Reasonable Suspicion: An objectively rational thought for a person to entertain based on facts that could cause a practical person in a like position, drawing on their training and experience, to suspect abuse or neglect.
Workforce Members: Employees, legal entity practitioners, fee-for-service (FFS) practitioners, locum tenens, interns, volunteers, contract workers, and other persons whose conduct in the performance of work for the Department or its offices, programs, or facilities is under the direct control of the department, office, or program, regardless of whether they are paid by the Department/County.
