Glossary

Abuse

the deliberate mistreatment of an adult that causes the adult

(a) physical, mental or emotional harm, or

(b) damage or loss in respect of the adult’s financial affairs,

and includes intimidation, humiliation, physical assault, sexual assault, overmedication, withholding needed medication, censoring mail, invasion or denial of privacy or denial of access to visitors;

 

Adult  anyone who has reached 19 years of age

 

Adult Protection: an umbrella term used to describe a field of practice that involves preventing, reporting, investigating and intervening is situations of suspected abuse, neglect, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults. In British Columbia, the Adult Guardianship Act designates agencies to receive reports of abuse, neglect or self-neglect and have an obligation to determine if vulnerable adults are able to seek support and assistance. Staff of a Designated Agency can intervene and protect a vulnerable adult if there are concerns that the adult is unable to seek support and assistance.

When protecting vulnerable adults, the Designated Agency has an obligation to find balance between adults’ rights to autonomy and safety. Adult protection is the process of considering the “whole person” and their individual context.  The guiding principles and presumptions in the Adult Guardianship Act are to be followed in all reports despite which legislative tool is being considered to provide support to the adult.

 

Designated Agency

means a public body, organization or person designated under section 61(a.1) of the Adult Guardianship Act for the purposes of that Part.

 

Designated Responder

The term used for an identified staff person within a Designated Agency who has responsibility to receive and investigate reports of suspected abuse, neglect and self-neglect of vulnerable adults.

In most Health Authority Designated Agencies, the Designated Responders will be one of these professionals:

• Social Workers
• Mental Health Clinicians
• Home and Community Care Case Managers
• Residential Care Facility Liaisons

Check with your Health Authority for a list of the positions or staff who has responsibilities as a Designated Responder.

 

Designated Responder Coordinator

is a term used in some Health Authorities to describe a staff person who has higher level training and is expected to steward, guide, and mentor Designated Responders who are doing the investigation and ensure that the Designated Agency’s statutory obligations are met, as not all programs have team leaders/practice supervisors or managers who have training about the role of a Designated Agency.

Check with your Health Authority for a list of the positions or staff who has responsibilities as a Designated Responder.

 

Elder in First Nations/Indigenous Context

“Elder” is used in this course to describe a member of the First Nations/Indigenous community who has reached an advanced age, with acknowledgement that each community will have distinct age and/or other criteria for the member to achieve recognition and rights to use the term within that community.

 

Health Authority Designated Agency

For the purposes of this course, the term Health Authority will include all health organizations that are designated under the AGA which include:

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority

Interior Health Authority

Northern Health Authority

Vancouver Island Health Authority

Fraser Health Authority

Providence Health Care Society

 

Neglect

any failure to provide necessary care, assistance, guidance or attention to an adult that causes, or is reasonably likely to cause within a short period of time, the adult serious physical, mental or emotional harm or substantial damage or loss in respect of the adult’s financial affairs, and includes self-neglect;

 

ReAct Adult Protection Curriculum

An 11 module training package created by Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health in 2011 specifically to educate and equip staff of BC Health Authority Designated Agencies to recognize, report, investigate, and intervene in accordance with the Adult Guardianship Act.  The curriculum is built upon the ReAct Manual for Staff (2007) and ReAct education materials (Quick Assessment Guide, Posters, Brochures) created and produced by VCH and shared with permission with each of the HA Designated Agencies in BC.

 

Self -Neglect

any failure of an adult to take care of himself or herself that causes, or is reasonably likely to cause within a short period of time, serious physical or mental harm or substantial damage or loss in respect of the adult’s financial affairs, and includes

(a) living in grossly unsanitary conditions,

(b )suffering from an untreated illness, disease or injury,

(c) suffering from malnutrition to such an extent that, without intervention, the adult’s physical or mental health is likely to be severely impaired,

(d) creating a hazardous situation that will likely cause serious physical harm to the adult or others or cause substantial damage to or loss of property, and

(e)suffering from an illness, disease or injury that results in the adult dealing with his or her financial affairs in a manner that is likely to cause substantial damage or loss in respect of those financial affairs;

 

Vulnerable Adult

is anyone who has a reduced capacity to look after their own interests, needs and well-being and therefore may be at risk of abuse and neglect. This includes individuals with physical, sensory, mental health and intellectual disabilities, as well as some frail seniors and adults whose circumstances render them more susceptible to harm from themselves or others.