Adult Guardian Services

The Adult Guardian Service (AGS) program in Cleveland, Ohio provides court appointed guardians to adults who are completely alone and need an advocate or may not be alone, but not have a person appropriate to make health care and financial decisions. There are guardians for person and the estate. This is a volunteer program that relies very much on its volunteers and fund raising.

I heard about the program through 2 professors at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. AGS provides training and ongoing support and oversight. I did make a trip to court to be formally appointed to the 2 wards that I was assigned to. I visit my wards monthly, review their charts as needed, attend quarterly care meetings, and talk with staff as needed. Both wards have some cognitive impairment and forming a relationship with them is a work in progress. I have been their guardians for a year and have not had to make any important medical decisions. I do have the responsibility for advance directives and that was very thought provoking. I do know that if there was an emergency and needed to consult with AGS, they would be there for me.

As a gerontological clinical nurse specialist, I have a special interest in the elderly and really enjoy this type of service work. However, it is really rewarding and should be considered if someone is looking for a volunteer opportunity that is not time intensive and is flexible. If interested contact AGS - http://www.agscleveland.org/aboutus.html