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<font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">RCW 74.34.020(2)(c) defines
"mental abuse" to include "</font>inappropriately isolating a
vulnerable adult from family, friends, or regular activity."
HOWEVER, that phrase is removed, effective July 24, 2015, and
replaced with "action that threatens, humiliates, harasses, coerces,
intimidates, isolates, unreasonably confines, or punishes a
vulnerable adult." See
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5600-S.SL.pdf">http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5600-S.SL.pdf</a><br>
<br>
While the new language continue to use the word "isolates," I
thought the prior language was more descriptive. A controlling DPOA
holder now can argue that there is no isolation so long as the DPOA
holder and approved persons are visiting the vulnerable adult, even
though other family and friends are being excluded.<br>
<br>
Doug Schafer<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 6/22/2015 10:53 AM, Eric Nelsen
wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal">This is in eastern Washington, farm
country. Client's mother died last year; father survives but
has mild dementia (short-term memory problems but generally
healthy and able to care for himself, though not handle
financial matters and can't maintain the family farm by
himself any more). Client has 3 siblings, one of which is DPOA
for Dad.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The DPOA has moved Dad from the parents'
Washington farm to a 'care home'
<u>in Idaho</u> that actually sounds like somebody's house,
where they keep Dad and another individual in a small room on
twin beds. DPOA has given the caregiver complete authority to
exclude client from the house, restrict phone call access,
etc. (Meanwhile, other possible financial shenanigans, but
that's not the point of this post.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please assume Dad wants to be able to see
client, and can articulate that, but the caregiver
consistently interferes, with DPOA's full knowledge and
approval.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Any thoughts on how to proceed in this
situation? Two issues:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1. How to challenge DPOA's authority to
restrict access to the parent (and delegation of authority to
the caregiver)?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2. Jurisdictional problems--moved Dad to
Idaho, though domicile is/was Washington.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If it has to come to legal action, I'm
considering Vulnerable Adult petition for Protection Order
under RCW 74.34.110, and petition re DPOA under RCW 11.94.090.
But this restricted-access issue seems a little different from
straight financial exploitation or obvious, physical
abuse/neglect.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many thanks for your thoughts!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eric C.
Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">SAYRE LAW
OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">1320
University St<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Seattle WA
98101-2837<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">phone
206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">fax
206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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