Definitions of Elder, Older Adult, Or Senior
Various ages identify this population; 55, 60, 65, etc. The Colorado Elder Abuse Mandatory Reporting Law, effective July 1, 2014 defines at-risk elders as age 70 and older.
Definitions Provided by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Adult Protection Services (APS).
At-risk adults are defined as persons age 18 or older who are susceptible to mistreatment or self-neglect because the adult is unable to perform or obtain services necessary for his or her health, safety, or welfare or because they lack sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning their person or affairs.
Exploitation means taking an at-risk adult’s money or other assets against their will or without their knowledge. In other words, stealing from the adult. It also means deceiving, harassing, intimidating, or using undue influence to get the adult to do something against their will.
Physical Abuse occurs when someone causes bodily injury to an at-risk adult, such as causing physical pain or bruising, or when unreasonable confinement or restraint is imposed.
Sexual Abuse is sexual conduct, activity, or touching without the adult’s consent or understanding.
Self-neglect is defined as an act or failure to act whereby an at-risk adult substantially endangers their health, safety, welfare, or life by not seeking or obtaining services necessary to meet their essential human needs. Choice of lifestyle, by itself, is not proof of self-neglect.