California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Yes. In California, adults with developmental disabilities can qualify as dependent adults under the same law that protects elderly people from abuse and neglect. You do not have to be over 65. If your adult family member has a condition that limits their ability to care for themselves, they may have the same legal protections as any nursing home resident — and the same rights if those protections are violated.
What exactly is a dependent adult under California law?
A dependent adult is generally any person between the ages of 18 and 64 who has a physical and/or mental limitation that restricts their ability to carry out normal activities or to protect their own rights. That definition is broad on purpose. It covers people with physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, serious mental illness, and developmental disabilities. Age alone is not the deciding factor — the level of limitation is.
