Volunteer guardians fill crucial role for some county residents

Crime Victim Services program offers help

Andrew Carey, right, was the second Volunteer Guardian in the
history of the Allen County Crime Victim Services program
started in 2017. He is pictured with Allen County
Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Glenn Derryberry.

LIMA — Andrew Carey was one of the first people to sign up for the Volunteer Guardian program in Allen County, a program started in 2017 by Allen County Crime Victim Services.

He is a volunteer guardian for a man living with mental health issues who is not able to make major decisions for himself.

“In my life, I’ve been blessed with a lot of things over my years and if I can give back to help others, I feel like I need to,” Carey said.

According to Elysia Bush, director of the CVS Elder Victim Ministry and Guardian Programs, volunteer guardians don’t deal with finances but focus on advocating for their protected person’s quality of life. Some individuals need assistance with or are unable to make decisions in areas such as healthcare, housing and daily needs. If there are no family members able to step in, a guardian is needed.

The person for whom Carey serves as a guardian is living in a residential care facility with specialization in mental health services. Carey’s job is to monitor his quality of life, ensuring the accommodation, health and care needs provided by the facility are satisfactory.

Establishing a relationship of trust is important as a guardian, Carey said.

“There might have been a little hesitation on his part during our first meeting. We had a good conversation, for about an hour or so. I think once I showed him that I was interested, and that I was going to come and visit him on regular basis, I think he felt very comfortable. I feel he opened up and we have a good working relationship,” Carey said.

Crime Victim Services provides training and clear guidelines to enable guardians to ensure their protected person’s safety, dignity and advocate for their needs. Although being a court-appointed guardian makes volunteers legally responsible for the guardianship duties, Carey stressed that Crime Victim Services works alongside volunteer guardians.

“If you have any issues, questions or problems they are there to work with you and help you work through things,” he said. “Crime Victim Services does a great job of educating, training and communicating throughout the process. It has been easy to give time for guardianship as well as work,” he said.

Carey spends about two hours a month with his protected person, plus regularly communicating via call or text. The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily prevented in-person visits.

“You can put into it as much as you want to,” stressing that the time commitment is not a burden. I really enjoy the interaction with my ward. He is very social and appreciative. I find it very rewarding.”

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Volunteer guardians fill crucial role for some county residents

Volunteer guardians needed to support developmentally disabled adults

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services is seeking caring individuals who are interested in becoming volunteer guardians.

Developmental Disabilities Services provides guardianship assistance to adults who have developmental disabilities. The agency is seeking volunteers who can help look after the health and safety of developmentally disabled individuals.

“Our volunteer guardians really make a positive difference in the lives of those they serve,” said Beth Scrutchins, Director of DDS. “In addition to promoting the rights of the individual with intellectual disabilities and helping to ensure their health and safety, the volunteer guardian develops an important relationship with that individual to support as much independence as possible.”

Guardianship is described in the news release as a legal relationship established by a judge through a legal process.

The guardianship could either be general – allowing the guardian to make certain major decisions for that person – or it may be a more limited form that gives the guardian decision-making authority in only a few areas of a person’s life. Also, the guardianship may be ordered for only a limited time or even for a single decision, according to the news release.

“Guardianship need not be life-long, nor is it an all-or-nothing deal. The guardianship relationship is designed to fit each person’s needs and still allow the person to make as many life decisions as possible,” the news release states.

Whether or not a person needs a guardian is determined by the person’s ability to give informed consent, according to the news release.

“A person is considered incapacitated when he or she has a mental impairment that affects his or her ability to receive and evaluate information and make choices. Only a judge can determine whether or not a person is incapacitated through a guardianship hearing. DDS staff takes great care and caution in assessing the need for a guardian and in recommending an appropriate volunteer to serve in that role,” the news release states.

For more information on how to become a volunteer guardian, contact Developmental Disabilities Services at dds.volunteerguardian@okdhs.org or by phone at (918) 921-3694. You can also click here if you are interested.

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Volunteer guardians needed to support developmentally disabled adults

Volunteer guardian for the elderly shares experiences

Sue Warren & Roger Harraman

MANSFIELD – “Pepsi?” asks 71-year-old Michael Beck when Roger Harraman walks in the room.

Harraman, who serves as Beck’s legal guardian, knows the Oak Grove Manor resident loves Pepsi, and even though he didn’t bring a bottle along this time, he promises he will for the next visit and instead presents Beck with several new T-shirts.

Harraman is one of 17 local volunteers through the Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo’s Adult Advocacy Services program. They provide legal guardianship services for those 55 and older suffering from dementia or other illnesses that limit their decision-making capacity. They also keep an eye out for those with no appropriate family to make decisions for their medical care and estate.

Essentially, a volunteer guardian’s role is to advocate for this person’s care. They become the voice for people who may have trouble sharing what they want or need. The guardians have no say over financial matters and instead are asked to focus the well-being of the people they serve.

A previous Richland Source story details why the program is important and how people can get involved.

The reasons that these elders need representation vary, but Sue Warren of Catholic Charities says, “too often” it’s a result of elder abuse, which can be in the form of intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that causes harm to a vulnerable elder. Warren also serves as a volunteer guardian for several individuals.

An estimated 1 in 10 older Americans experience abuse. Locally, the Richland County Adult Protective Services, which investigates abuse, neglect and exploitation of people 60 and over, made 245 referrals between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016, but elder abuse often goes unreported.

Harraman advocates on behalf of three people through Catholic Charities: Michael Beck, Michael McMahon and Diane Pahlow. As far as he knows, they don’t have local family members to otherwise care for them.

“It’s rewarding, every visit. I probably get more out of it than they do,” he said. “I like getting to know them and joking around with them.”

Before meeting any of these individuals, Harraman represented another man who passed away about eight years ago. Harraman recalls that was a hard day, but the benefits of this job far outweigh the negatives. Though saddened, the retired educator decided to represent another elder, Beck, through the Catholic Charities’ program. That was more than seven years ago.

When Harraman came to visit him recently, Beck was watching “Gunsmoke.” But he seemed happy to take a break and chat. Beck informed Harraman that someone had promised him Pepsi and hadn’t brought it yet.

When Harraman later talked to the nursing home staff, he asked about Beck’s health, but he also mentioned the Pepsi situation and learned that the beverage would soon be delivered to Beck’s room.

Harraman began serving as legal guardian to Michael McMahon and Diane Pahlow this past summer when he heard that Catholic Charities knew of more people in need of representation. Harraman decided to take on the additional responsibility this past July.

So far, Harraman has only made three visits with these two, but he’s already made an noticeable impression with McMahon.

“Do you remember me?” Harraman asked this Oak Grove resident in August.

“Yes,” McMahon answered.

On this occasion, Harraman sat on the edge of the bed, listening as the 66-year-old man told a few stories. McMahon explained that he always enjoyed bowling, golf and watching Indians games.

After Harraman visited Beck and before he visited McMahon, he talked to a staff member in what’s called a “care conference.”

This is a formal process that doesn’t occur on every visit, but it keeps a guardian updated with the details of the nursing home resident’s condition. Harraman hears about McMahon and Beck’s care plan, discussing in detail everything from what they’ve been eating to if they need therapy.

Harraman is alerted more regularly via phone calls about changes in medication, health complications and other time-sensitive topics. As a guardian, he needs to be available 24/7 to respond to inquiries when needed from nursing home or medical staff. This means that even in the middle of the night, Harraman might have to take a phone call about one of the people he represents.

Both McMahon and Beck live at Oak Grove Manor, but once he’s done there, he drives down the road to another nursing home to visit Diane Pahlow, 59.

She had been sleeping when Harraman previously visited, but she still vaguely remembers him. Awake on this occasion, she asks him more about himself and his role as her guardian. He assures her that he’ll make sure she’s taken care of correctly.

In turn, Pahlow shares a little about herself. She likes singing, dancing and listening to music, especially gospel. The Iowa native moved to Mansfield where her husband lived.

"But now, I don't have family in Ohio anymore," Pahlow said.

Harraman and other Catholic Charities volunteers are appointed to be legal guardians by the probate court. And if an elder needs someone to speak on their behalf, the guardians step in and look out for the elder's best interest.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer guardian can learn more by calling 419-524-0733.

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Volunteer guardian for the elderly shares experiences

Nevada: Clark County Adult Guardianship Program Taking Shape

A new program in Clark County will provide volunteer advocates for adults who are deemed incapacitated and in need of services, a population considered underserved and vulnerable.

Dennis Royse (Photo Credit Josh Hicks)

Dennis Royse, program director for the budding Clark County Adult Guardianship Program, knows just how important a court-appointed advocate can be. He was formerly a Court-Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, a volunteer group serving children of neglect or abuse.

Like CASA, the adult guardianship program will pair volunteers with someone (in this case someone over 18 years old) who needs an advocate to look out for their wellbeing. For adults, the person must be deemed incapacitated by a judge.

Royse said "incapacitated" could mean several things, including mental illness, developmental disabilities or dementia. He pointed out that not everyone — especially the elderly - has a loved one who is willing or able to look out for them.

In 2015, almost 200 adults were deemed incapacitated and in need of services in Clark County. Data for the first nine months of 2016 were on track to reach the same number, according to Circuit Court Judge Andrew Adams.

"Most of those guardianships we locate an attorney to do it or someone contacts an attorney," Adams said. "This program is for the people who don't have the money to get an attorney. They're out there."

Most of the adults who end up in Adams' court to be evaluated are referred by Adult Protective Services or local longterm care facilities. Royse said he's already getting calls from facilities looking for volunteer guardians.

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Clark County Adult Guardianship Program Taking Shape

On Thursday a press conference was held to announce the need for Montgomery Adult Guardianship Services (MAGS), a Volunteer Guardianship Program serving Montgomery County’s at-risk elderly and other incapacitated adults.

“This program is available to assist any mentally incapacitated adult in Montgomery County regardless of income who is in need of a guardian to act on their behalf, and who has no family or friends to step in and offer assistance.” said the Honorable Heather Barajas of Montgomery Superior Court 1. Judge Barajas also added that since MAGS is a no-fee service the program can save Montgomery County taxpayers the cost of a competency assessment for an alleged mentally incapacitated individual, these assessments can cost the county upwards of $5,000 per individual involved.

Erica Costello of the Indiana Adult Guardianship Office explained how Indiana is one of the few states that do not have a state supported public system of providing adult guardianship services for the indigent. There is an increasing need in Indiana communities to expand adult guardianship services for vulnerable at-risk adults who have nowhere else to turn. In 2013, the Indiana General Assembly provided funding to establish the Adult Guardianship Office under the Indiana Supreme Court’s Division of State Court Administration. The VASIA (Volunteer Advocates for Seniors or Incapacitated Adults) Fund was created. VASIA administers the grant funding to increase the number of volunteer-based guardianship programs throughout the state. In 2016 grant funding was awarded to Wabash Center, Inc. to provide a volunteer-based guardianship program for Montgomery County. Matching funds to support MAGS have been provided by Montgomery County and Wabash Center, Inc.

The MAGS (Montgomery Adult Guardianship Services) program is an innovative volunteer guardian initiative designed to address the critical health care, social service and legal representation needs of the growing population of the vulnerable, ill and at-risk incapacitated adults in Montgomery County by using trained volunteers to serve as court appointed Guardians.

The program recruits, trains and supports volunteers to serve as limited guardians appointed by Montgomery County Superior Court 1’s Honorable Heather Barajas. MAGS Volunteers undergo criminal history and social service background checks, personal interviews, provide references and complete a comprehensive training program that covers the National Guardianship Associations Adult Guardianship Standards, The National Guardianship Association’s Code of Ethics, decision making, communication skills, and other tools to provide volunteers with a strong advocacy skill set. They are sworn-in as officers of the Court, and as Montgomery Adult Guardianship Volunteers. Volunteers are supported by a professional staff member who is a Nationally Certified Guardian certified by the National Guardianship Association.

What do these volunteers do? MAGS Volunteers are guardians appointed for vulnerable at risk adults in need of protection who have no family or friends willing, able or suitable to take on this role in the protected person’s life. The Volunteer Guardian Advocate will typically spend 2-4 hours per week visiting with their assigned client, just checking in on their welfare, and needs. They are responsible for making decisions about the care of protected person for example; health care decisions or determining an appropriate place to live.

Wabash Center, Inc. applied for the VASIA Grant for Montgomery County so they can provide a pool of trained, Volunteer Guardian Advocates to draw from when area vulnerable at-risk adults have nowhere else to turn. “Without volunteers there is no MAGS, we can’t do the work we do without the volunteers, they are the very backbone of VASIA adult guardianship programs across the state of Indiana. MAGS Volunteer Guardians have the opportunity to make a real impact on the incapacitated person’s life; they have the opportunity to provide safety, security, stability and dignity to an individual who otherwise would not have any of these.” MAGS Program Coordinator Sharon White said on Thursday.

Volunteer applications are now being taken by Montgomery Adult Guardianship Services. Funding for this program is provided by the Indiana Supreme Court VASIA Fund, Wabash Center, and Montgomery County. Please contact Sharon White, MAGS Program Coordinator at 765-423-5531 ext. 423 for more information.

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At-risk adults get aid

Jewish Family Service helps ‘forgotten population’ with Volunteer Guardian program

Volunteer Lynn Spencer (right) spends time with her ward, Margie as part of Jewish Family Service’s Volunteer Guardian program. Photo Credit J.J. Mesko-Kimmich.

There’s a forgotten population of adults here in Akron: those who are mentally or physically impaired or developmentally disabled and without anyone willing or able to care for them.

Two years ago, Jewish Family Service of Akron (JFS) and Summit County Probate Court Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer partnered to institute a Volunteer Guardian Program to help serve this hidden population.

There are currently have 77 volunteers, but the baby boomer population is aging, creating increased need for additional volunteer support, says J.J. Mesko-Kimmich, who works for JFS as director of Volunteers for the program.

Says Stormer says of the program: “The need for compassionate, committed guardians is growing every year. I invite you to consider becoming a guardian through the JFS Volunteer Guardian Program. As a trained Volunteer Guardian, you can make a real difference to someone facing the most challenging time of their life.”

Volunteer Jay Regallis with his ward, Odie. Photo Credit J.J. Mesko-Kimmich.

Program clients (wards), who are only accepted by referral from the Summit County Probate Court, must be 21 or older and must reside in Summit County. All JFS Volunteer Guardian clients live in nursing facilities and group homes that accept Medicaid.

The responsibilities of Volunteer Guardians include contacting their wards by telephone, letter and/or personal visit at least four times per year. Guardian paperwork is minimal; they are required to submit only one report per year to the court. Volunteer Guardians may be asked to assist with decisions involving medical treatment, housing, transportation and personal care necessities and options for their clients.

Says Kimmich: “In both the nursing home and the group home setting, there are supports and care teams in place to work through the decisions.  They all work together on behalf of the client, and the guardian is a part of that team, plus the Coordinated Care Team (CCT) at our office can help too. There are many supports in place.”

Volunteers must be 21 or older with a valid driver’s license. They do not have to reside in Summit County. JFS and the Summit County Probate Court require that all Volunteer Guardian applicants submit to a background check. Once accepted, they are asked to make an 18-month commitment to the program.

Volunteers receive training before beginning to work with clients. Photo Credit: J.J. Mesko-Kimmich.

Volunteer Guardians are carefully matched with their clients. Kimmich takes gender, age, location, special client needs and Volunteer Guardian skills into consideration when pairing volunteers with their clients. Volunteers choose their clients from those identified as matches. They may visit the client first before making a commitment to a specific individual.

JFS Volunteer Guardians have no financial or estate management responsibilities, nor do they have any personal care duties.

Each volunteer receives comprehensive training so that they may enter the field well-prepared and confident about their role in their client’s life. There are also optional supplemental quarterly volunteer training sessions, and program staff are always available to provide added support.

JFS and the Probate Court work together closely to administer the program, and it receives a significant portion of its funding from the Court.

To learn more about the JFS Volunteer Guardian Program, go to http://jfsakron.org/volunteer-guardians.

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Jewish Family Service helps ‘forgotten population’ with Volunteer Guardian program

Volunteers needed for little-known guardian program

With the number of Virginia residents in need of a volunteer guardian growing by 85 percent over the past five years, social service departments in the Lynchburg area have had to look for new ways to recruit people about a volunteer program most have never heard of.

“Most people don’t know there is a need within their own community for someone to step in and be that decision-maker,” said Tracey Ballagh, of the Lynchburg Department of Human Services.

When an individual no longer can make informed decisions that keep them safe, courts in Virginia can appoint a guardian to make decisions about that person’s health, diet, residence and social activity. Conservators deal with their finances. Right now, there are more than 300 individuals in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties who have guardians.

“It’s a very big responsibility,” said Becky Neilans, adult service supervisor for Lynchburg Department of Human Services, who said she understands why some may be hesitant to step forward. The appointment is a long-term commitment — clients currently in the program range in age from 18 to 95 — and relationship is one only the courts can sever.

“They could outlive you and that’s a lot of years that you’re going to be the decision-maker for that individual,” Neilans said, adding guardians are unpaid volunteers.

Fran Briley, a public guardian for two individuals in Lynchburg, has cared for as many as three at one time. While it can be heartbreaking at times, she enjoys it.

“The work that is involved is really small compared to the good that is being done,” said Briley, who now helps a man in his 80s and a middle-aged man with a mental disability and cerebral palsy. Like most of those in Virginia’s guardianship system, neither had family willing or able to be their surrogate decision-maker.

Briley’s clients are two of the 70 in Lynchburgwho have court-appointed guardians.

Bedford County has 106 clients under guardianship, while Amherst County has 105 and Campbell County, 37.

“Most don’t have family and that’s how we end up in a bind,” said Robin Zimmerman, adult services supervisor for Bedford County Department of Social Services.  (Continue Reading)

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Volunteers needed for little-known guardian program

Guardianship program seeks volunteers

ASHTABULA — The Patrick Sorohan Volunteer Guardianship Program at Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County is in search of volunteers in the community to serve as Guardian of Person for the frail elderly living in a local health care facility. The elderly people in need have little or no financial resources, family, or other support system, and the Guardian of Person would fulfill the role of surrogate decision maker.

A volunteer guardian provides the opportunity to nurture, advocate for, and safeguard the well-being of another person in Ashtabula County, who otherwise would have no one in his or her life.

Orientation night is 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 29 at Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County, 4200 Park Ave. (third floor of the First Merit Building). Light refreshments will be served.

To sign up or to find out more about this volunteer opportunity, contact Jeanne Myers at (440) 992-2121.

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Guardianship program seeks volunteers

Marshall County Guardianship Program helps care for elderly citizens

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – There are so many elderly people who get abused, neglected or don’t have anyone to properly care for them. They deserve better. The Marshall County Guardianship Program is filling in that gap.

The Marshall County Guardianship Program is helping older adults, who have been deemed incompetent by the probate court. The non-profit provides legal volunteer guardians to serve and support the person.

“It’s our citizens of Marshall County and a lot of them are elderly,” says Andrea LeCroy, the organizations secretary and treasurer. “They have been such an asset in our county for their lifetime. We want to take care of them.”

For LeCroy, it’s more than an obligation. “It’s an honor to be able to do this for them,” she says.

LeCroy is a charter member of the Marshall County Guardianship Program, which started in 2009. Volunteers, who must undergo an application process and background check, are paired with an incapacitated person.

“They get to build a relationship with their wards,” explains Board President Rachel Syx. “We try to place our applicants/volunteers with people they would get along with and enjoy going to spend time with.”

Syx says volunteer guardians do many of the same things a family member would do.

“Some of our volunteers take their wards out to lunch, take them shopping, go to the grocery store and do things they want to do just to live a normal life,” explains Syx. “If they’re in a nursing home and not so mobile, then they will go visit them once a week or so and make sure they have everything they need and make sure they’re being taken care of.”

The organization operates out of LeCroy’s space in the probate office at the Marshall County Courthouse in Guntersville. That’s where our $319 would come in handy.

“Thank you so much,” says LeCroy. “That will go to such great use for our program. I appreciate you all so much.”

LeCroy says the money helps them move toward some big goals they have like setting up their own independent phone line and getting their own office space. For more information or to apply to be a volunteer, call 256-571-7764, extension 3.

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Marshall County Guardianship Program helps care for elderly citizens

Guardian Angels Volunteering to Make an Impact

Nobody knew much about Roger. His niece had dropped him off at the nursing home one day, saying there was a family emergency. Could they keep him overnight?

Days passed, and then weeks.

Some thought that Roger’s niece had been pocketing his Social Security checks, and when authorities started catching on, she bolted. Whatever the reason, she never came back.


Mark Desmond

Enter Mark Desmond, Roger’s volunteer guardian. Mark, a newly retired sales manager, was determined to find out all he could about Roger, which was difficult given that he didn’t say more than a few words at a time. With a little digging, Mark learned that as a young man, Roger had worked on a dairy farm in Kansas.

Over time, Mark also discovered that Roger loved bananas. So each week before Mark would visit, he’d stop at the grocery to pick up a bunch.

“He’d have two or three right off the bat, and we’d just sit outside his room, and he’d smile,” Mark remembered. “It cost 39 cents for a pound of bananas. … It was just amazing how much enjoyment he got out of that.”

Volunteering as a guardian is about honoring the little things that make life better.

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Guardian Angels Volunteering to Make an Impact