What are alternatives to appointing a guardian?
Guardianship is a highly intrusive form of advocacy and should be used only as a last resort when all other alternatives have been examined. Some alternatives to guardianship may be: Health Care Surrogates, Trustees, Durable Power of Attorney, Geriatric Care Managers… When is guardianship appropriate? When a person lacks the capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning personal or financial matters guardianship may be appropriate. The fact that someone has some sort of diagnosis or disability does not automatically equate to the need for a guardian. In most states, mental illness, developmental disability, physical incapacity, chronic intoxication, or even advanced age can be identified as the basis for the lack of decisional capacity. A voluntary guardian may be appointed for a person who is not incapacitated. The person requesting the assistance of a guardian must understand that he or she is delegating the authority to another person. In addition, a physician s
