Kentucky state officials are working to bring care to adults in need of guardianship. The Division of Guardianship works to protect legally disabled individuals who have no options for caregivers besides the state.
Guardianship is a legal relationship between a guardian and an adult. Court appointed guardians are given different duties depending on the person’s decision-making needs. Jessica Wayne is the Director of the Division of Guardianship. She said state guardianship is different from other forms of legal care.
“A guardian is a court appointed individual, person, or entity that has the duty and the power to make personal and or financial decisions for the individual. For state guardianship, that’s when a family member or private entity is not available or appropriate. Then the court appoints the state as an alternative,” said Wayne.
The Division of Guardianship currently cares for 4,645 Kentuckians and helps to restore their partial or full rights after a court settlement. Wayne said some people misunderstand legal disabilities.
“It’s important to understand this is a legal disability, not a medical disability. Many people think just because you have social security disability that you are appropriate, or will get a guardian, but it is very different. This is about inabilities to make decisions,” said Wayne.
The division is working to meet goals in worker caseloads, supporting people, and promoting consistent referral standards. The Division of Guardianship works with Adult Protective Serves to identify cases of abuse among older adults and people with disabilities and refer them to state guardianship.