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Rethinking alternatives to guardianship
1Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-0191, USA.
The Gerontologist
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Guardianship alternatives are analyzed using a framework assessing capacity, risk, complexity, and support. This helps determine interventions
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Legal Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- Guardianship is a legal mechanism for adults unable to make decisions.
- Alternatives to guardianship are increasingly explored for older adults.
- Existing decision-making interventions require systematic evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare guardianship with decision-making interventions.
- To analyze the roles and functions of guardianship alternatives.
- To develop a framework for assessing intervention effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Development of an analytical framework (capacity, risk, complexity, support).
- Comparative analysis of guardianship and four decision-making interventions.
- Illustration of framework application using case examples.
Main Results:
- The framework assesses performance expectations and limitations of interventions.
- Interventions' capacity to address needs and substitute/divert from guardianship is examined.
- Case examples demonstrate practical application of the analytical framework.
Conclusions:
- Propositions are introduced to guide future research on guardianship alternatives.
- The study provides a basis for understanding intervention effectiveness.
- Further research is needed to refine and validate these interventions.