[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
In past columns, I have addressed the challenges, and options available, when an aging parent needs assistance.\u00a0 <\/span>In some cases, a \u201cpower of attorney\u201d may be sufficient.\u00a0 <\/span>This document allows a parent to transfer to a trusted child (or other person) the authority to also handle certain responsibilities on behalf of the parent.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At the other end of the spectrum is a guardianship, in which a person (often a child) is appointed to make decisions for someone who is mentally incapacitated.\u00a0 <\/span>A guardianship is intended to protect incapacitated individuals from themselves and those who would take advantage of them.<\/p>\n However, a guardianship is an extreme remedy.\u00a0 <\/span>When a guardian is appointed, the person to be protected is essentially stripped of the ability to make his or her own decisions. \u00a0 <\/span>It should be used only in limited circumstances.<\/p>\n What if a person is not fully incapacitated, but still has serious cognitive limitations?\u00a0 <\/span>Must his or her rights be taken away in order to provide proper protection? In recent years, a new approach has begun to take root.\u00a0 <\/span>Its focus is to preserve the liberty and rights of a person in need, balanced with the appropriate level of protection.\u00a0 <\/span>This approach is called Supported Decision-Making.<\/p>\n Supported Decision-Making allows people with disabilities to keep their rights, including the right to make their own choices.\u00a0 <\/span>Trusted advisors, including potentially friends, family, or professionals, serve as supporters. These supporters help the person in need to understand, make, and communicate his or her own choices.<\/p>\n Currently, there is no legal process formally adopting Supported Decision-Making.\u00a0 <\/span>Nor should there be any illusion that Supported Decision-Making will be simple to implement.\u00a0 <\/span>By its very nature, it is intended to allow individuals with needs to utilize their capabilities but have appropriate support when their limits have been met.\u00a0 <\/span>The process will be unique in each case.\u00a0 <\/span>However, Supported Decision-Making will also help vulnerable adults to retain their dignity . . .\u00a0 <\/span>and their rights.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In past columns, I have addressed the challenges, and options available, when an aging parent needs assistance.\u00a0 In some cases, a \u201cpower of attorney\u201d may be sufficient.\u00a0 This document allows a parent to transfer to a trusted child (or other person) the authority to also handle certain responsibilities on behalf of the parent.\u00a0 \u00a0 At […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[93,20,75],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377163"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=377163"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":377165,"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377163\/revisions\/377165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=377163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=377163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wrightlawidaho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=377163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}