ADVOCATING FOR OLDER ADULTS: WHEN GUARDIANSHIP IS NOT THE ANSWER

When an adult is thought to be making poor decisions or is unable to care for him or herself, many people assume that a guardianship is necessary to secure that person's well being. An older adult may require a guardian because of a new inability to care for themselves in the contest of a neurocognitive disorder, or after a lifetime of chronic mental illness, and self-neglect. The appointment of a guardian by the court can be lifesaving, provide much needed financial protection from exploitation, and guarantee stable housing and access to health care. However, a guardianship may also leave older adults vulnerable to abuse and financial exploitation. In many cases, the needs of older adults are layered and complex, and guardianship is not necessarily the best remedy, especially when the court-appointed guardians may be responsible for hundreds of clients.