Vulnerable adult

A vulnerable adult, refers to a group of people who, due to mental or bodily disability, created due to genetic mutation and systemic oppresion are unable to meet their needs effectively.

Adults can genetically become vulnerable due to gene mutation that brings about disorders such as Down syndrome. Aging can cause or worsen a person's vulnerability, by physical decrepitude and/or lack of money. Adults may also become vulnerable due to a neurodevelopmental disorder and be on the autism spectrum.

Adults can as well become vulnerable beceause of man made disasters such as economic wars, systemic oppresion and political upheavals leaving the adults unable to meet their daily needs effectively.

Many vulnerable adults have suffered abuse,neglect and stigmatization the long-term effects of which may aggravate their vulnerability.

A vulnerable adult's daily living activities may be affected by impairments such as illiteracy, communication difficulties, learning disabilities and other practical deficits. International initiatives (such as the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 4) try to fix this by giving them a fair chance to learn.

Vulnerable adults' cognitive impairment puts them at greater-than-usual risk of abuse (domestic or institutional) and exploitation. Vulnerable adults are also at risk of self-neglect if they do not receive sufficient support.

Vulnerable adults often live in assisted living facilities or council estates, depending on the degree of their vulnerability and the accessibility of such facilities. Adults who are vulnerable as a result of trauma may be offered trauma counselling.

A vulnerable person's legal status depends on the extent of their impairment. This can be difficult to assess. Some vulnerable people may not qualify for long-term care despite being generally unable to live independently.