Thanks to an inaugural group of 10 volunteers, life may be a little easier for Douglas County's elderly who find themselves in an often-confusing legal system.The county's first team of Special Advocates for the Elderly was sworn-in Jan. 21 by district judges Michael Gibbons and Dave Gamble.
Under the direction of former Lyon County District Attorney John Giomi, now a Topaz resident, the volunteers are qualified to advocate on behalf of their wards in matters from guardianship to appropriate care and treatment.
The program is similar to the county's CASA program which works on behalf of children.
“You may be the last resort to keep elders as independent as long as possible or help them make the transition,” Giomi said. “You're the only one to keep the best interests of the elderly in mind.”
SAFE VOLUNTEERS:
Sharon Doan, Lovana Dressler, John Giomi, Nancy Henker, Dana Jantos, Dawn King, Daniel Lancaster, Donna Miller, Madeline Snyder-Hollstrom, Jeffrey Weisend
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Volunteers Step Up to Aid Elderly in Court
What a wonderful idea. I'm going to call & learn more about this. Cetrtainly it would be possible for other states to implement programs like this to prevent the abuse, neglect and exploitation that is happening in many guardianships.
ReplyDeleteHats off to the SAFE volunteers!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! The wards wil feel more comfortable talking to these real people instead of lawyers or judges. The volunteers will be able to express their concerns.
ReplyDeleteIt's just great all around!
You're right, Holly, it would be good if this could get going in all states.
ReplyDeleteMy utmost admiration, Volunteers!
ReplyDeleteDouglas County is leading the way! Thank you for posting this positive article, NASGA
ReplyDelete"You're the only one to keep the best intersts of the elderly in mind."
ReplyDeleteNow there's a truism. The court has the best interes of the lawyers in mind, not the wards.
I feel this program is a giant step and I'm glad to see it.
Noone wants to have to go to a nursing home. The work these volunteers will be doing to keep the elderly at home as long as possible is so valuable. They are giving the elderly the greatest gift of all - the gift of time.
ReplyDeleteThank you to everyone of these volunteers who stepped up to the plate and are volunteering their time to aid our vulnerable elderly!
ReplyDeleteapplause and standing ovation to the advocates gosh i just love reading good news nasga this will be a growing problem and here is a solution great way to start 2010
ReplyDeleteThis is unbelievable GOOD NEWS!
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will spread throughout America!