What is the Volunteer Guardian Program?

The Volunteer Guardian Program serves seniors age 60 and over who are in need of a guardian due to such conditions as advanced dementia or chronic mental illness, and who have no family members or friends able to act as a guardian.

The program recruits, trains and provides ongoing support to volunteers willing to serve as legal guardians for older adults in need. The preferences and abilities of the volunteer and the specific needs of the disabled older adult are taken into account in the assignment process.

Who Needs Guardians?

Guardians are matched to individuals who have been found legally incompetent by a court due to mental disability. These are individuals who are unable to make decisions independently due to dementia, chronic mental illness, developmental disabilities, brain trauma or alcohol/drug abuse.

What is a Guardian?

A guardian is a person who has the legal responsibility to advocate on behalf of an individual unable to make competent decisions for her or himself. Guardians make decisions regarding that individual's care and welfare and sometimes also manage his or her income and property. They are compassionate people who can make positive differences in the life of another person.

What Are the Responsibilities of a Guardian?

There are two types of guardians (a person can serve as one or both). Each type has different responsibilities.

A guardian of a person visits the person regularly; makes decisions regarding care, such as the place of residence and medical needs; maintains regular contact with caregivers; acts to ensure that the person is receiving optimal care; and reports annually to the court on the person's welfare.

A guardian of the estate receives and manages all income and assets on the person's behalf, pays all bills for care and other need, and makes an annual financial accounting to the court.

Who Can Serve as a Volunteer Guardian?

A guardian must be a caring adult in good physical and mental health. He or she should possess good verbal and bookkeeping skills and a desire to advocate the rights and needs of another person. The guardian needs to be able to volunteer three to six hours per month.