What you should know
Frequently asked questions
Definitions
Understanding of the terms that define our services is essential
The terms of Guardianship and Conservatorship are often misunderstood or misused which may result in some negative connotations. It is important that public understands the exact meaning of these terms.
Guardianship:
an individual or organization appointed by and subject to oversight by the Court, after a finding that an individual is legally incapacitated. Guardians are authorized to make personal decisions, including medical, social, housing and service
Conservatorship:
an individual or organization appointed by and subject to oversight by the Court, after a finding that an individual is legally incapacitated. Conservators are authorized to manage money, assets, property and financial affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful and important information about Public Guardianship Services
What is Public Guardianship and what do public guardians do for their clients?
Public Guardianship is a service for indigent, adult incapacitated persons, who have no family or friends to help with making decisions about their lives. Guardians generally provide stability by making informed decisions about needed personal, medical, social and housing services, respecting the individual’s wishes, preferences, values and capacity, maximizing independence, choosing the least restrictive alternatives, and intervening only in areas where the incapacitated person lacks capacity to make decisions.
There have been reports outside of Massachusetts involving abuse and neglect by guardians. How are you planning to avoid these issues at PGS?
While it is true that there have been cases of some guardians overstepping their authority due to a lack of training, PGS plans to offer comprehensive training for our staff through a partnership with the Guardianship Academy. Also, oversight of PGS will occur through regular statutory reporting requirements for guardians under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code, and the continuing oversight of the session judges themselves.
Do you have any geographic restrictions for whom you serve?
As PGS is a pilot or demonstration program which will serve as guardian for a limited number of eligible incapacitated persons in Suffolk, Norfolk and Plymouth counties, we are currently limiting the service area to persons in those counties in light of our available resources.
Do you plan on expanding your service area in the future?
It is our long range goal that once we show that our pilot program is a successful model that it can be expanded or replicated in other counties around the state and eventually throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
How many people Do you serve?
Currently, in order to ensure that our resources are not overwhelmed, we are capping our total guardianship caseload at 80 clients with plans to expand that in the future. We have developed methods to evaluate our caseload based not on numbers but on the needs of the persons for whom we will serve as guardian.
How many clients will each PGS caseworker serve?
Following the recommendation of the National Guardianship Association (“NGA”), each caseworker will have no more than 20 guardianship clients in an effort to provide the most personal and thorough service possible. We want our case workers to have a solid relationship with those they are serving and know their personal wants and needs.
How much training Do your caseworkers receive?
PGS staff receive extensive training on their role and responsibility as guardians, clinical assessment, supported decision making, risk management, financial management, ethics, Probate Court processes and National Guardianship recognized trainings.
How is PGS Funded?
Funding for this project is made possible by a grant from Guardian Community Trust, a non-profit pooled trust organization in Andover, Massachusetts. PGS is also funded by a grant from Age Strong Boston Commission.
Where can I find guardianship training?
The Center for Guardianship Excellence (https://guardianshipcenter.
