| Guardian
• Fiduciary that has the responsibility to make health and welfare decisions for a ward of the court • Typically makes decisions relating to the health care issues and accompanies ward to medical appointments. |
Guardians are appointed by the courts for incapacitated persons (wards) to help with health and welfare questions. The guardian is charged with ensuring that the ward is living in a safe environment and that the daily needs are being met. |
| Case Study | |
| Mr. Smith lives in a small rural town. He is forgetting to take his medications and to eat during the day. The medication is vital to maintaining his health and his health continues to deteriorate until he can no longer take care of himself. He begins wondering around the town and going into people's home looking for items that he can no longer remember. Adult Protective Service is called in to investigate. Mr. Smith is severely dehydrated and malnourished. A medical examination determines that Mr. Smith is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. An emergency petition is filed with the courts to have a guardian appointed to make the necessary medical decisions and health planning for Mr. Smith.
EFS consult with the doctors and family and determine exactly what the short term needs are for Mr. Smith. The long term needs for Mr. Smith will include what level of care he will need and if and when he needs to be moved to a facility. We will attend care conferences and doctor's appointments. We ensure that Mr. Smith is getting the proper care. |
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