Elderly Caught in the Middle of Debate Over Fate

It's people like Fay who make me glad I changed all those diapers or made all those peanut butter sandwiches over the years.

Or people like Edna. And Margaret. And Doc, who you'll also meet in the series of stories today about the public guardian system in Kane County

None of those elderly folks had children who could have stepped up to the plate as it became apparent they needed help maneuvering through the final chapters of their lives.

Not that raising a gaggle of kids is going to keep things from going south in our old age. There's plenty of examples where manipulative, apathetic or scrapping offspring abandon — or even worse — take advantage of Mom or Pop as aging brain cells turn to mush.

And so, right or wrong or somewhere in between, that role in the lives of Fay, Edna, Margaret and Doc fell to the public guardian.

It's not a place anyone wants to end up in their golden years. Suddenly, your fate is in the hands of perfect strangers — paid officials who include a judge and a battery of attorneys charging you up to $280 an hour.

Full Article and Source:
Elderly Caught in the Middle of Debate Over Fate

More Information:
Age Old Question: Does Public Guardian Have Too Much Power in Kane County?

What is the Public Guardian's Office?

Friend or Foe - Well-Intended Loved Ones Can Complicate Guardian Role

Rights Vs. Needs - Guardian System Must Balance Ability, Individuality

From the Storytellers