Guardian angels are believed to be angels assigned to guide and protect an individual. The Volunteer Guardian Program through the Williams County Department of Aging matches volunteer guardians with area seniors in nursing homes who would otherwise not have a voice. In a sense, volunteers become like a guardian angel, an advocate for the individual. Guardianship is a legally defined process whereby a person (the ward) has been declared by the Probate Court to be incompetent and needs someone to assist in decision making.
Presently, the Williams County Department of Aging is actively recruiting volunteers for the Volunteer Guardian (VG) Program. This program pairs trained volunteer guardians with individuals in nursing facilities who are unable to make informed decisions due to cognitive impairment generally from dementia or mental illness or a combination of both and who do not have a family or legal guardian already in place. The VG Program provides training and ongoing support to community members who serve as Court Appointed Guardians for these designated individuals. Volunteer Guardians serve as guardians of person only, not of finances, and are responsible for medical and quality of life decisions.
Melissa Cronin, LSW, Program Coordinator for the Volunteer Guardian Program, emphasizes that the program is a “service of last resort.” “We always try to locate a family relative first, but most individuals we serve don’t have a family network.”
In order to become a volunteer, one must be an Ohio resident of at least 21 years of age with no criminal history. Although the nursing facilities are in Williams County, one does not need to be from Williams County to volunteer. A six hour required training session must be completed. All volunteers must provide three references and consent to a background check.
After the training has been completed, the program matches a volunteer with a ward within his or her comfort level. Although only two visits to the assigned ward are required a month, the program encourages relationship building between volunteer guardian and resident ward, both personally and professionally. The volunteer commitment is a long term commitment for the life of the ward.
A volunteer receives ongoing support. Cronin shares, “A support person is available 24/7 if a volunteer has questions. A volunteer will never be told what to do but will be assisted in weighing out the pros and cons of the decision to be made.”
As a Volunteer Guardian, the primary expectations are health-related decision making, managing personal relationship issues, and advocating for the ward. Although the program is designed to assist individuals in these unfortunate circumstances, Volunteer Guardians often find that they themselves also benefit from serving. Barb, who has been a Volunteer Guardian since 2011, encourages others to consider the training to become a VG. She expresses, “It’s a very rewarding experience knowing you are an influence on someone who doesn’t have a family. I know I am there for my person to be her voice.”
Volunteer Guardian Deb who has been involved since 2012 works with a female resident. She shares, “I know for me it [the VG program] was filling a void, having the ability to care for someone who really needs someone. It’s a very rewarding experience.”
Likewise, Volunteer Guardian Jacque has experienced similar positive feelings about being involved in the program. “When I became a volunteer, I mostly did it because I had lost my mom six months prior, and I saw the advertisement in the paper for the program. I mostly did it to fill a gap, but found it has been beneficial for both me and for my ward. She has someone to rely on, and I have someone to care for and make part of my family.”
The next training session will be held Thursdays May 22 and 29 from 6-8:30 at the Bryan Senior Center. Both sessions must be attended for completion of the training. Cronin stresses that completing the training does not require one to become a guardian. In addition, a person is also invited to attend if they are interested in becoming a guardian in the appropriate situation for a family member in the future. For more information about the program or to register for the training, please call Melissa Cronin at the Williams County Department of Aging at 419-633-5053.