The Journal’s stories create both the need to respond to the inaccuracies, but also a chance for the public to understand how the guardianship process in this state works to the benefit of our most vulnerable citizens.
Guardians are charged with protecting our most vulnerable citizens. The Journal stories attempted to make a case that guardians and conservators are draining the bank accounts of protected people. It’s actually the other way around.
The guardians and conservators shore up the finances of the protected people and save their money to allow them to live decently by making sure they get proper medical care, housing and nutrition. All too often when conservators are called in the protected person’s way of life has been threatened, and their money is in danger of being lost completely.
In a few hundred cases per year, the courts step in to create a guardian for people who have some very serious conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injuries and substance abuse problems. In most of these cases, the vulnerable adult involved needs a guardian to keep them from losing their homes, their money and their way of life.
In many cases, the family members cannot take care of the ailing person and the court intervenes in the best interest of the person. And in some cases, the family members cannot agree on the right course of action and the court must take over.
The vulnerable person who needs a guardian then enters into a system of qualified and dedicated professionals who are devoting their lives to the help and care of these people. These guardians aren’t getting rich.
The Journal stories inaccurately portray these hardworking individuals as taking advantage of the situation. Nothing could be further from the truth.
These guardians and conservators step in in very difficult circumstances to protect people suffering from dementia and other ailments, to maintain their way of life, keep them in their homes if requested, and maintain finances. This is all done to honor the wishes of the protected person.
In the case of Blair Darnell, whose situation was vastly mischaracterized in the Journal story, a conservator and guardian were called in to protect her assets and ensure proper medical care so she could live out her life in her home according to her wishes. The system worked. She lived out her life at home with her family by her side.
The Journal stories also implied that the family members of the protected people are then banned from seeing their parents. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Yes, there may be a few cases when the courts determine that some family members pose a danger to the protected person, but that’s rare, and in almost all cases the family has access and is encouraged to see the protected person.
The courts go out of their way to ensure that the family is completely involved, if they wish, in the process and get to state their case. It is unfortunate that the Journal stories have damaged the court’s reputation by implying that there is something unethical going on here.
In short, there is an honorable profession operating in a lawful and ethical manner. It protects vulnerable people who are in need of special care. The guardians rescue people who can be in unimaginably horrible circumstances, and when the protected person no longer needs a guardian and life is back together, the guardian steps aside. We operate by a strict code of ethical standards and the vast majority of our families are very satisfied with our results.
This recent five-part series failed to accurately report how the system actually works. This failure is a disservice to the vulnerable and their families looking for help.
Full Article & Source:
Who guards the guardians: Journal series distorts good work of guardians
See Also:
Diane Dimond's Five-Part Series: Who Guards the Guardians?
7 comments:
"....These guardians aren’t getting rich."
By Linda Rizzi / President, New Mexico Guardianship Association
What is the definition of ‘rich’?
1) having a great deal of money or assets; wealthy.
2) plentiful; abundant.
For example: A corporate or a State or a County Public guardian are guaranteed a pay check, job security and benefits.
No cases = no job. In some states, the county public guardian’s office payroll and operating expenses are funded by the estates of their wards, protected persons.
By design:
No one knows the total amount of assets, net worth of ‘protected persons’ in one county, or one state.
No one knows the number of active guardianship/conservatorship cases nationwide, as I am writing this comment.
I recall that New Mexico laws require guardianship/conservatorship cases be: SEALED.
I suggest Ms. Rizzi do some researching on the few cases that are publicized. The majority of NASGA members nationwide, for a long list of valid reasons, cannot publish their own profiles or their loved one’s profiles with information and tracks to follow the $ sign, who benefits?
Some facts that I believe would contradict Ms. Rizzi’s opinion on guardianship in New Mexico.
LIE #1: "The vulnerable person who needs a guardian then enters into a system of qualified and dedicated professionals who are devoting their lives to the help and care of these people. These guardians aren’t getting rich." YES-THEY ARE GETTING RICH!!!!!
LIE #2: "The Journal stories inaccurately portray these hardworking individuals as taking advantage of the situation. Nothing could be further from the truth." IT IS THE TRUTH-HARDWORKING INDIVIDUALS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE...
LIE #3: "These guardians and conservators step in in very difficult circumstances to protect people suffering from dementia and other ailments, to maintain their way of life, keep them in their homes if requested, and maintain finances. This is all done to honor the wishes of the protected person." GUARDIANS ALL TOO OFTEN ARE NOT REMOTELY HONORING THE WISHES OF THE PROTECTED PERSON BUT HONORING THEIR OWN BANK ACCOUNTS AND SELFISH AGENDAS!
LIE #4: "In the case of Blair Darnell, whose situation was vastly mischaracterized in the Journal story, a conservator and guardian were called in to protect her assets and ensure proper medical care so she could live out her life in her home according to her wishes. The system worked. She lived out her life at home with her family by her side." THE WORST LIE OF ALL-THE SYSTEM FAILED IN THIS CASE!!!!!!
LIE #5: "The Journal stories also implied that the family members of the protected people are then banned from seeing their parents. Nothing could be further from the truth." IT IS THE TRUTH-VICTIMS ARE GAGGED FROM SPEAKING OUT AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE SERVED RESTRAINING ORDERS BY THE GUARDIANS TO SHUT THEM UP AND KEEP THEM AWAY WHEN THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CRIMES AGAINST THE 'PROTECTED PERSON'.
LIE #6: "Yes, there may be a few cases when the courts determine that some family members pose a danger to the protected person, but that’s rare, and in almost all cases the family has access and is encouraged to see the protected person." THERE ARE TOO MANY CASES WHEN THE COURTS DETERMINE FAMILY MEMBERS POSE A DANGER TO THE PROTECTED PERSON TO FULFILL A CLEAR AGENDA FOR THE GUARDIANSHIP INDUSTRY! FAMILY MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS AND ARE NOT ENCOURAGE TO SEE THE PROTECTED PERSON! BLATANT LIE!
LIE #7: "The courts go out of their way to ensure that the family is completely involved, if they wish, in the process and get to state their case. It is unfortunate that the Journal stories have damaged the court’s reputation by implying that there is something unethical going on here." THE COURTS DO NOT GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO ENSURE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT! BLATANT LIE!
LIE 8: "In short, there is an honorable profession operating in a lawful and ethical manner. It protects vulnerable people who are in need of special care. The guardians’ rescue people who can be in unimaginably horrible circumstances, and when the protected person no longer needs a guardian and life is back together, the guardian steps aside. We operate by a strict code of ethical standards and the vast majority of our families are very satisfied with our results." THERE IS NO HONOR IN OPERATING UNLAWFULLY AND UNETHICALLY!
LIE 9: "This recent five-part series failed to accurately report how the system actually works. This failure is a disservice to the vulnerable and their families looking for help." Diane Dimond EXPOSED THE TRUTH AND IT HAS RATTLED THE NGA CAGE!
Nine lies in one article is a whole lot of lies and lives lost!!!!!!
She embarrassed herself with her article. She should have said simply that she was appalled by the actions documented in the series and would do anything to help work for reform.
I'll tell you who guards the guardians, the NGA and their lobbyists, the state bar in every state, and lawyers. The guardians are well protected while the wards are as defenseless as lambs going to the slaughter.
Looks like Dimond's reports hit a nerve!
I had to chuckle when reading this article because New Mexico rationalizes sealing records by saying they're protecting the ward's privacy, Hipaa, etc. Yet in her article Ms. Rizzi is telling all about the Darnell case.
I wonder: Where is she getting her information? Is she guessing? Or are the good old boys gathered around the table with her telling her all about the case in spite of sequestered records?
To me it appears the good old boys are protecting each other once again.
Are there two Diane Dimond series? I am asking because I didn't see Diane Dimond saying distorting anything about all guardians. Her series focused on a specific case and she did not use the horrible case to demonize the profession entirely but only to show the abuse.
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