Guardianship Archives » Northwest Elder Law Group

14 May, 2019

Can My Aging Parent Still Handle Their Own Finances?

2020-05-22T19:31:25-07:00May 14th, 2019|Categories: Elder Care, Guardianship, Health & Wellness|

Your aging mother has stopped cleaning the house, your father forgets to eat unless he is reminded, or perhaps, someone took advantage of him in a financial scam. These are common symptoms of aging and you may be concerned that your loved one is developing dementia. How do you know when it is the right time to step in to take over the checkbook? Signs to look for People don't usually start having trouble with their memory all at once. The process is gradual. What matters to you is whether your parent can still take care of themselves without help. ...

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10 March, 2018

Can I Find A Guardian For My Elderly Neighbor?

2020-05-22T19:33:16-07:00March 10th, 2018|Categories: Elder Abuse, Elder Care, Guardianship|

Elder abuse, neglect or deteriorating health can be a difficult subject to broach, especially when speaking to a neighbor. What can you do as a non-family member? Can you legally get involved with their well-being? Is it even your place to get involved? If you're a concerned neighbor, you do have options for helping an elderly neighbor. Things to consider First and foremost, if you suspect elder abuse or neglect of a neighbor, then it is appropriate to call Adult Protective Services. You do not need proof of abuse or neglect, but can report the circumstances that are causing concern. ...

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12 March, 2015

When Your Loved One Needs A Guardian

2020-05-22T19:41:50-07:00March 12th, 2015|Categories: Elder Care, Guardianship|

If the time has come to seek a guardian for your loved one, you're probably already feeling overwhelmed with emotions, from confusion to guilt to sadness. To further complicate matters, you inevitably have many questions and concerns. You haven't done this before, and you don't know where to begin. Here are some of the most common concerns. When is a guardianship necessary? A guardianship is typically a last resort when a vulnerable adult needs assistance managing their affairs and no longer is able to execute or refuses to execute a Durable Power of Attorney, or someone has a Durable ...

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13 May, 2014

What Is The Role Of A Guardian When Selecting Housing?

2020-05-22T19:51:47-07:00May 13th, 2014|Categories: Elder Care, Guardianship|

Being someone's court appointed guardian is a big responsibility. You want to do what is best for your loved one, while still respecting their wishes. This can be a hard balance, especially when it comes to deciding where your loved one will live. What are a guardian's responsibilities? Under Washington law, every guardian of the person has two main responsibilities when it comes to selecting housing: To safeguard a protected person's health and safety To enable the protected person to exercise his or her rights to the maximum extent under the law, consistent with his or her capacity Exactly how these responsibilities ...

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9 July, 2013

Elder Financial Abuse: A Silent Epidemic

2020-05-22T19:53:27-07:00July 9th, 2013|Categories: Elder Abuse, Guardianship|

Financial exploitation of the elderly is a serious problem in this country, and one we don't talk about nearly enough. According to data provided by the National Adult Protective Services Association, one in 20 elderly people will suffer financial abuse in their lives. Sadly, only about 2 percent of cases are ever reported. Financial exploitation deprives elderly people of the money they need to fund their retirements, pay for long-term care, and afford basic necessities like food, housing and medical care. It can also have serious repercussions for the victim's mental and physical health. Financial abuse takes many forms Financial ...

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23 November, 2012

Elder Abuse Is More Common Than You Realize

2020-05-22T19:54:26-07:00November 23rd, 2012|Categories: Dementia, Elder Abuse, Elder Care, Guardianship|

After so many years of taking care of us, we hope that our elderly loved ones will be well cared for into their old age. The sad truth is that this doesn't always happen. Elder abuse is a real and persistent concern. A study published earlier this month in the New England Journal of Medicine found that at least 10 percent of elderly people will be abused. Because the study's data was based on self-reports, this number may actually be much higher. What is elder abuse? When most people picture abuse, they think of physical violence like hitting or shoving. ...

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