Last month, I wrote about the needs of senior homeowners when they are unable to care for property. I included my thoughts about a lack of resources for these individuals. But what about the individuals themselves who are unable to care for themselves, let alone their property?
These vulnerable adults might be someone who qualifies for a legal guardian. The guidelines that our local Probate Court Judge Patricia Smith uses is based on whether the individual is first able to care for their own physical needs and finances, as well as the care of their home, whether it be an apartment or house.
A legal guardian for an adult is something that I never really thought about. My early work experience was at the Children's Home in Akron. Appointing legal guardians for abused or neglected children was a common practice. The guardian was usually a relative or a close family friend. The guardian became legally responsible for the child’s health and welfare until the parents were able to responsibly care for the child. This avoided having to take custody of the child and placing them in foster care.
The concept of a senior citizen having a guardian is somewhat the same idea. A volunteer guardian is appointed for a vulnerable adult who has shown evidence that they are unable to manage their own finances and health care.
The volunteer guardian is expected to visit the individual in their home to monitor their ability to care for themselves.
In Portage County, there is a Guardianship Service Board who is responsible for these volunteers who are given the responsibility to monitor the well-being of the individual while protecting the legal rights of the individual person under their care “through the least restrictive means possible." The volunteer is appointed by the local Probate Court Judge. The current Guardianship Board is made up of an attorney, the Director of the Portage County Disability Board and the Director of the Board of Mental Health.
The state of Ohio offers a three-hour class online for individuals looking for more information about the guardianship program. Also on the internet, you can find the forms needed to be completed in order to refer a vulnerable individual to be considered for guardianship.
The Guardianship Service Board Director is Diane Clarke who, along with the three board members, provides the supervision of the volunteers.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer guardian, contact their office at 330-839-3964.
On a lighter note, fall is fast approaching, one of the prettiest times of the year. Why not get outside and go on a one of the Portage County Parks Senior Hikes. On Oct. 1, they will be conducting a supervised hike at Portage Hike and Bike Trail at Lake Rockwell Road, and on Oct. 15, they will be at the Headwaters Trail on S.R. 700.
Remember all of these Senior Hikes are handicapped accessible, and supervised by a staff member of the Portage County Parks. All hikes begin at noon.
Contact Sally Kelly with your senior news at 330-687-9501 or sentrip@yahoo.com.