Section 17.15.2. Definitions.

Words and phrases used in this chapter are as defined in 17 IAC 1 unless the context of the rule indicates otherwise. The following definitions also apply to this chapter:

“Abuse” means the willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or cruel punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish; or the deprivation by a person, including a caregiver, of goods or services that are necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish, or mental illness in an older individual.

“Adequate food, shelter, clothing, or other care” means food, shelter, clothing, or other care which, if not provided, would constitute denial of critical care.

“Assessment” means a document designated by the department to be completed by a contractor to determine service needs and address the safety of the client.

“Assessment intake” means the process by which a contractor receives and records reports of suspected elder abuse.

“At-risk older individual”  or “client”  means a person aged 60 or older who is at risk for or experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation.

“Caregiver” means an individual who has the responsibility for the care of an older individual, either voluntarily, by contract, by receipt of payment for care, or as a result of the operation of law. “Caregiver” also means a family member or other individual who provides compensated or uncompensated care to an older individual.

“Case” means a referral of suspected elder abuse that has been accepted for assessment and services.

“Contractor” means the contract recipient.

“Coordinator” means the contractor’s designee who is responsible for coordinating elder abuse prevention initiative services and who is the central point of contact for case files, subcontractors, and care providers.

“Department” means the department on aging.

“Elder abuse” means abuse of an older individual and may consist of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation.

“Exploitation” means an individual’s, including a caregiver’s or legal representative’s, use of the resources of an older individual for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain that results in depriving an older individual of rightful access to, or use of, benefits, resources, belongings, or assets.

“Immediate danger to health and safety” means a situation in which death or severe bodily injury could reasonably be expected to occur without intervention.

“Legal representative” means a person appointed by the court to act on behalf of a client.

“Mandatory reporter” means a person defined in Iowa Code section 235B.3(2).

“Neglect” means the failure of a caregiver or legal representative to provide the goods or service necessary to maintain the health or safety of an older individual.

“Older individual” means a person aged 60 or older.

“Physical harm” means bodily injury, impairment, or disease.

“Purchase of service form” means the mechanism used to document and request approval for the purchase of a specific service on behalf of a client.

“Referral” means any information received by a contractor from any source that identifies an individual aged 60 or older as experiencing, or at risk of, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

“Self-neglect” means an older individual’s inability, due to physical or mental impairment or diminished capacity, to perform essential self-care tasks, including obtaining essential food, clothing, shelter, and medical care; obtaining goods and services necessary to maintain physical health, mental health, or general safety; or managing one’s own financial affairs.

“Service provider” means a provider receiving funds from a contractor.

[ARC 8553B, IAB 2/24/10, effective 3/31/10]