Who is considered to be a vulnerable adult?

A vulnerable adult is defined as a person over the age of eighteen years 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 may be unable to take care of him or herself”. This makes these adults more at risk of abuse or neglect.

The following groups of people, who are likely to be customers in your pharmacy, could be considered to be at increased risk of abuse:

• Adults with a mental health problem or mental illness, including dementia
• Adults with a physical disability
• Adults with learning difficulties
• Adults who have a sensory impairment such as poor sight or reduced hearing
• Frail or elderly adults or those experiencing a temporary illness
• Homeless adults
• Adults in an abusive relationship
• Substance misusers

This list is not exhaustive and other customers who do not fall into any of these categories could be considered to be a vulnerable adult.

It is hard to understand why anyone would want to hurt another person, but someone who is vulnerable can often be the perfect target because:

• They can’t defend themselves
• If they are able to tell someone, often they will not be believed
• They may not be able to get away
• People often believe that this form of abuse can’t or doesn’t happen
• It may be forgotten that vulnerable adults have the basic human right to be safe