Adult Protective Service Practice Exam

Which principle is not listed in the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA)?

1. Adults have the right to be safe

2. Adults are presumed to lack decision-making capacity unless a court confirms otherwise.

3. Adults have the right to accept or refuse services.

4. Adults have the right to make decisions that do not conform with societal norms as long as these decisions do not harm others.

The correct answer is: Adults are presumed to lack decision-making capacity unless a court confirms otherwise.

The principle that states adults are presumed to lack decision-making capacity unless a court confirms otherwise is not listed among the guiding principles of the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA). This principle implies a legalistic approach that automatically assumes incapacity unless proven otherwise, which contrasts with the principles that uphold adult autonomy and self-determination. In NAPSA's framework, emphasis is placed on the rights and dignity of adults, asserting that individuals have the inherent right to make decisions about their own lives unless strong evidence or legal rulings substantiate that they lack this capacity. Recognizing adults as capable of making their own choices, even if those choices may not align with societal norms, promotes their autonomy and respects their agency. Overall, the principles of adult safety, the right to accept or refuse services, and the recognition that adults may choose paths that differ from conventional expectations, all underscore the importance of personal rights and individual decision-making in Adult Protective Services practice.