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Difference between revisions of "Adult Abuse and Neglect (15:VI)"

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== B. Responding to Adult Abuse and Neglect ==
== B. Responding to Adult Abuse and Neglect ==
Sometimes the most appropriate and helpful response to abuse or neglect is not a legal response.  In some instances, it may be appropriate to contact a designated agency, or the Public Guardian and Trustee.  However, the key response is generally to listen to the individual’s description of their experience, and to help the person get support and assistance, often through identifying an appropriate referral agency.  You will want to consider whether there is an urgency to the circumstances that suggests a need for immediate action.  For example:
Sometimes the most appropriate and helpful response to abuse or neglect is not a legal response.  In some instances, it may be appropriate to contact a designated agency, or the PGT.  However, the key response is generally to listen to the individual’s description of their experience, and to help the person get support and assistance, often through identifying an appropriate referral agency.  You will want to consider whether there is an urgency to the circumstances that suggests a need for immediate action.  For example:


• Is the person in immediate danger of harm?<br>
• Is the person in immediate danger of harm?<br>
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There is no duty for the general public to report abuse, neglect, or risk in BC. However, if an older adult is experiencing, or particularly vulnerable to, abuse, neglect, or self-neglect and is unable to access the necessary support or assistance on their own, anyone may notify a Designated Agency (DA).  A representative of the DA will then meet with the adult to decide on what steps can be taken.  The DAs are legally required under the ''AGA'' to respond to reports of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect.  The DA process includes involving the adult in decisions about how to seek support and assistance, providing the necessary support and assistance to prevent abuse or neglect, and respecting the right for an adult with capacity to refuse support or assistance.
There is no duty for the general public to report abuse, neglect, or risk in BC. However, if an older adult is experiencing, or particularly vulnerable to, abuse, neglect, or self-neglect and is unable to access the necessary support or assistance on their own, anyone may notify a Designated Agency (DA).  A representative of the DA will then meet with the adult to decide on what steps can be taken.  The DAs are legally required under the ''AGA'' to respond to reports of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect.  The DA process includes involving the adult in decisions about how to seek support and assistance, providing the necessary support and assistance to prevent abuse or neglect, and respecting the right for an adult with capacity to refuse support or assistance.


The DAs are set out in the ''AGA'', and the ''DAR''.  They include BC Community Living, Providence Health Care Society, and each of the provincial Health Authorities (i. e.  Vancouver Coastal Health, Interior Health, Fraser Health, Vancouver Health Authority, and Northern Health Authority).  For contact information, refer to section '''II. E: Designated Agencies''' in this chapter.   
The DAs are set out in the ''AGA'', and the ''DAR''.  They include BC Community Living, Providence Health Care Society, and each of the provincial Health Authorities (i. e.  Vancouver Coastal Health, Interior Health, Fraser Health, Island Health Authority, and Northern Health Authority).  For contact information, refer to section '''II. E: Designated Agencies''' in this chapter.   


A DA must determine whether an adult needs support and assistance if the agency receives a report of abuse or neglect, has reasons to believe that an adult is abused or neglected, or receives a report that the adult’s representative, guardian, or monitor has been hindered from visiting or speaking with the adult (''AGA'' s 47).  Where an adult is found to be in need of support or assistance, a DA may take any of the following courses of action: (See s 47(3) and s 51 of the ''AGA''). <br>
A DA must determine whether an adult needs support and assistance if the agency receives a report of abuse or neglect, has reasons to believe that an adult is abused or neglected, or receives a report that the adult’s representative, guardian, or monitor has been hindered from visiting or speaking with the adult (''AGA'' s 47).  Where an adult is found to be in need of support or assistance, a DA may take any of the following courses of action: (See s 47(3) and s 51 of the ''AGA''). <br>
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=== 2. Public Guardian and Trustee ===
=== 2. Public Guardian and Trustee ===
Although not a designated agency under the ''AGA'', the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) has the statutory authority to investigate all situations where there appears to be financial abuse, neglect, or self-neglect.  A designated agency discussed above may refer an investigation of abuse to the PGT.  
THe Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) has the statutory authority to investigate all situations where there appears to be financial abuse, neglect, or self-neglect.  A designated agency discussed above may refer an investigation of abuse to the PGT.  


The statutory powers, set out in s 17 of the ''PGTA'', allow the PGT to investigate and audit the affairs, dealings, and accounts of:
The statutory powers, set out in s 17 of the ''PGTA'', allow the PGT to investigate and audit the affairs, dealings, and accounts of:
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