Elderly father possibly victim of con artists. What to do?

Savvy_Sue

margaretclare wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest, is there an official definition for 'a vulnerable adult'?

It is not the same as an 'older adult', is it? Or are all those of us who are 'older' considered to be 'vulnerable'?

From the Surrey County Council website:

A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or maybe unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation. (Who decides? 1997 Lord Chancellor's Department and 'No Secrets' 2000 - on Department of Health web site: No secrets: guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse) Whether or not a person is vulnerable in these cases will depend upon surrounding circumstances, environment and each case must be judged on its own merits.

I'm sure there are other definitions, that was the first UK one I found when I googled VA.



So, the OP's father is not automatically vulnerable, and he may be found to be perfectly competent even if the decisions he is making appear completely off the wall to his nearest and dearest.

brummiebabe

Hi margaretclare

Sorry - realise that was a bit confusing....anyone over the age of 18 can be classed as a vulnerable adult...they are not classed as a vulnerable adult just because they are an older adult. As I work in an adult mental health team, I was just using our terminology..we have adult and then older adult team

margaretclare

brummiebabe wrote: »

Hi margaretclare

Sorry - realise that was a bit confusing....anyone over the age of 18 can be classed as a vulnerable adult...they are not classed as a vulnerable adult just because they are an older adult. As I work in an adult mental health team, I was just using our terminology..we have adult and then older adult team

Thanks for this, Brummiebabe. I am pleased to learn that not all of us who are 'older' are also considered 'vulnerable'!!!