Starting Jan. 1, close family members will be able to petition a court to visit their elder outside of a guardianship proceeding. This last detail is important, because many physically frail elders may still not qualify for guardianship. In other cases, the custodian of an elder who has lost competency may simply not want court interference with de facto powers the custodian has already been exercising.
Picture a blind or wheelchair-bound elder who, while mentally competent, might not physically be able to open the door. Imagine that elder’s reluctance to even try if it would mean angering the sole person providing his care and who owns the home in which the elder has been isolated for weeks or even years.
I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and caring lead sponsor for this long-overdue law than Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, R-Leland Grove. She and her staffer Ryan Melchin marshaled key bipartisan support, resulting in overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses. I also thank Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, who carried the bill in the Senate, and Rep. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, the co-lead sponsor in the House.
Sandy Baksys
Leland Grove
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Good Deed: Thankful to Rep. Wojcicki for help in passing elder visitation law
Good! I am glad to see this legislation. Isolation is horrible on the person who is being isolated and it has got to be stopped. I know NASGA and Catherine Falk have accomplished a lot toward this goal.
ReplyDeleteThis law will lead to guardianship. Whoever came up with this has opened a wide door and this law will be used against people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous. Anytime a dispute is taken to court, you are risking a guardianship. I appreciate what this law is trying to do but this will make it worse, not better.
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