Definitions of Key Terms

Neglect

Neglect is the failure of a caregiver or fiduciary to provide the goods or services necessary to maintain the health or safety of a person. It includes acts of omission and of commission (including willful deprivation, etc.). Source: WRMA Inc. (2024). Adult Maltreatment Report | 2021.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the use of force or violence resulting in bodily injury physical pain, or impairment. It excludes sexual abuse. Source: WRMA Inc. (2024). Adult Maltreatment Report | 2021

Psychological Abuse

Psychological or emotional abuse is the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts; this includes but is not limited to verbal assaults, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment. Source: WRMA Inc. (2024). Adult Maltreatment Report | 2021

Self-neglect

Self-neglect means a serious risk of imminent harm to oneself or other created by an adult's inability, due to a physical or mental impairment or diminished capacity, to perform essential self-care tasks, including at least one of the following: 

1. 1) Obtaining essential food, clothing, shelter, and medical care;
2. 2) Obtaining goods and services necessary to maintain physical health, mental health, or general safety; or,
3. 3) Managing one's own financial affairs

Source: 45 C.F.R. § 1324.401 (2025)

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is nonconsensual sexual interaction (touch and non-touching acts) of any kind with an adult. Source: WRMA Inc. (2024). Adult Maltreatment Report | 2021.

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation is the illegal or improper use of an individual’s funds, property, or assets for another person’s profit or advantage. Source: WRMA Inc. (2024). Adult Maltreatment Report | 2021.

Undue Influence

Undue influence is the exertion of influence over a vulnerable adult, with the intent to override or change the choice or free will of the person, for the benefit of another person. Undue influence takes place when one person uses his or her role and power to exploit the trust, dependency, and fear of another. The power is used to gain psychological control over the decision-making of another person. While not included in all states’ APS definition of adult maltreatment, undue influence may be a method to financially exploit an adult or inflict other types of maltreatment. Sources: American Bar Association. (2021). Undue Influence and Financial Exploitation. California Elder Justice Coalition. (n.d.). Undue influence. Center for Elders and the Courts. (n.d.). Quinn, M. J., (2002). Undue influence and elder abuse: recognition and intervention strategies. Geriatric Nursing, 23(1), 11-6.

Other

A type of maltreatment not included in the categorizations provided. 

Financial Capacity

Financial capacity is a medical/legal construct meaning the capacity to independently manage one’s financial matters consistent with personal self-interest and values. It involves both performance skills such as counting coins/currency, completing a check register accurately, paying bills and using good judgment. It is important to have knowledge of an individual’s lifetime values and approach to managing money and finances. More broadly, financial capacity also includes specific legal capacities, such as contractual capacity, donative capacity, and testamentary capacity. Source: Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center. (2012). Capacity Screening in Adult Protective Services: Guidance and Resources.  

Sexual Consent Capacity

Legal standards and criteria for sexual consent vary across states and knowledge of an individual’s state law is necessary. It is important to note that there are no universally accepted criteria for capacity to consent to sexual relations, and the standards and criteria vary across states. According to the ABA & APA Assessment of Older Adults with Diminished Capacity (2008), “the most widely accepted criteria [for sexual consent], which are consistent with those applied to consent to treatment, are: (1) knowledge of relevant information; (2) understanding or rational reasoning; and (3) voluntariness.” Source: Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center. (2012). Capacity Screening in Adult Protective Services: Guidance and Resources.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are activities related to personal care. They include bathing or showering, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a chair, walking, using the toilet, and eating. If a person has difficulty performing an activity by themself and without special equipment or does not perform the activity at all because of health problems, the person is deemed to have a limitation in that activity.  The limitation may be temporary or chronic at the time of assessment. 

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are activities related to independent living. They include preparing meals, managing money, shopping for groceries or personal items, performing light or heavy housework, and using a telephone.  If a person has any difficulty performing an activity by themself or does not perform the activity at all, because of health problems, the person is deemed to have a limitation in that activity. The limitation may be temporary or chronic at the time of the assessment Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2008). MCBS Appendix B.