A Vulnerable Adult is defined as 18 years or older with which characteristic?

• A. Intellectual disability
• B. Physical dysfunction
• C. Unable to carry out all or portion of activities of daily living
• D. All of the above

Answer: (C)

Understanding who is a vulnerable adult centers on functional ability. A vulnerable adult is an adult, 18 or older, who cannot perform all or part of activities of daily living without assistance, which puts them at risk for neglect, abuse, or exploitation. Activities of daily living include basic tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, and mobility. This functional limitation is the key criterion, not simply having an intellectual disability or a physical dysfunction on their own. So the statement that the characteristic is the inability to carry out all or part of ADLs best captures the concept.