PAULDING – Paulding County Probate Judge Michael A. Wehrkamp has announced the creation of a volunteer guardianship program to help those in the community live with the dignity they deserve. Judge Wehrkamp and his staff will host two informational open houses in October for those interested in serving their fellow residents as a volunteer guardian.

“Sometimes an adult is not able to manage his or her own affairs because of advanced age or a mental or physical disability, and when this occurs, it may be necessary for a guardian to assume the decision-making responsibilities for the person,” said Wehrkamp. “In recent years, the demand for this individualized care has grown beyond capacity, and our new program aims to provide a pool of screened and trained volunteers to serve as guardians to fill the gap.”

A guardian is an adult appointed by the Probate Court to protect, act and make decisions for a person in need of a guardian, known as a ward.

Currently in Paulding County, there are residents who do not have a family member or other suitable person willing to serve as their guardian. In the past, the Court has turned to local attorneys to serve as guardians in these cases.

However, the number of cases in the Probate Court has grown to the point that local attorneys no longer meet the demand.

Those interested in serving in this volunteer role are invited to attend an upcoming informational open house on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 5- 7 p.m. at the Black Swamp Nature Center, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, Ohio.

Alternatively, individuals may contact the Probate Court at 419-399-8256 to learn more.

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Paulding County Probate Court to launch volunteer guardianship program

LifeTime Resources Receives Grant for Volunteer Guardianship Program

Dearborn County Hospital

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Thanks to a monetary donation by Dearborn County Hospital and the support of Circuit Court Judge James Humphrey, LifeTime Resources was recently awarded a grant to better assist seniors and incapacitated adults in Dearborn County.

Monies derived from the $50,000 Volunteer Advocates for Seniors or Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) grant, awarded by the Indiana Supreme Court, will be combined with Dearborn County Hospital’s donation of $12,500 and additional funding to help maintain and operate a volunteer guardianship program.

As a requirement to receive a VASIA grant, applicant programs must have a commitment from one or more entities in their service area to provide matching funds.

Designed to address temporary and/or emergency guardianship needs, the program, operated by Sentry Services and administered by LifeTime Resources, will serve as a guardian/representative payee for seniors or incapacitated adults whose family and/or friends are either unable or unwilling to assume the responsibility. The intent of the program is to assure that the rights and interests of all seniors and incapacitated adults are protected under the full extent of the law.

The VASIA grant will also allow for the program to expand its scope of services for seniors and incapacitated adults through the use of volunteers. The program will utilize volunteers to provide various forms of assistance such as calling and/or visiting the individual; escorting them to healthcare appointments; helping them apply for benefits; and other appropriate activities or duties.

For more information on the program and its services and requirements, please contact Sentry Services at LifeTime Resources by calling (812) 432-6220.

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LifeTime Resources Receives Grant for Volunteer Guardianship Program