Most adults enjoying their retirement years pride themselves on independence. They may try to avoid calling their families or neighbors for help in all but the most serious of circumstances. In some cases, they make choices that put themselves and even other people at risk because they fear giving up their independence.
Guardianship of adults exists for a reason. Some people eventually become incapable of making choices that are in their own best interests. They may require the intervention of family members or professionals who agreed to serve as guardians. A guardian has legal authority over a vulnerable adult’s life much like a parent does over a child’s life.
While it can be difficult for people to adjust to the new dynamics of adult guardianship, pursuing one is sometimes the best option. The following are common warning signs that a loved one may need a guardianship.
A refusal to stop driving
Perhaps an older adult has already caused a crash that put them or someone else in the hospital. Maybe they suffered a medical emergency while driving. Perhaps they take pills on a daily basis which make driving a dangerous undertaking. There are quite a few scenarios in which older adults may have to accept restrictions on their driving ability or give up their licenses altogether. Some people adamantly refuse despite clearly lacking the ability to drive safely. Guardianship may be the fastest means of resolving that issue and keeping a vulnerable older adult off the road.
A failure to obtain proper medical care
Many older adults who recognize the early signs of decline want to avoid medical diagnosis. They worry that guardianship and other legal actions could deprive them of the independence they currently enjoy. Some older adults go years without medical care specifically because they don’t want their physicians to recognize how much their physical or cognitive abilities have declined. In scenarios where older adults routinely forego medical care to their own detriment, their failure to seek medical treatment can be an indicator that they have ceased to act in their own best interests.
Difficulty managing finances
Older adults may struggle to balance their budgets while living on a fixed income. For some, managing finances becomes difficult because they start forgetting bills and other obligations. When older adults have failed to pay their rent or mortgages, when their utilities get cut off or when they end up losing assets due to debts, that financial hardship is a warning sign. Family members may need to take over the management of their resources and obligations so that they don’t end up destitute in their golden years.
Legally pursuing guardianship can be a difficult choice to make. Yet, many adults who care about older, vulnerable people may eventually realize that guardianship is the best form of protection for their loved ones.