What constitutes an 'incapacitated' individual?

An individual is considered 'incapacitated' when their impairment significantly affects their ability to function in everyday life. This includes challenges in making decisions, understanding information, managing personal care, and performing daily activities. The key aspect of incapacitation is that it relates to the overall capability of the individual, which can stem from various factors such as cognitive decline, mental illness, or severe physical disabilities.

The other options presented do not accurately capture the definition of incapacitation. For instance, being unable to pay bills could result from various circumstances unrelated to a person's mental or physical capacity. A temporary injury may lead to a momentary inability to function but does not imply a long-term incapacity. Finally, being elderly alone does not equate to incapacitation since many elderly individuals maintain full cognitive and physical abilities. Therefore, option C encompasses the broader understanding of what it means to be incapacitated in the context of elder abuse and neglect.