Letter to the editor:
We were visiting my wife’s second cousin (in her upper 80’s) two years ago when my wife told her I was beginning my term of serving on the board of a new organization of our county. She was shocked and offended that I would be part of an organization that would make decisions for senior citizens, and that their rights were being taken away. Like many other people, she had a difficult time believing any senior should have another person making decisions for them.
The reasons for this vary. Sometimes there simply is no other living relative or friend who is willing, able or trustworthy to help. (We have had cases where children have pressured or simply taken the assets of their parents, leaving them destitute.) Dementia may be another reason. Many of these people live in care facilities without a responsible person to oversee their care.
While most seniors manage their finances, housing and medical care very well, a small number of them need help. This is done through the county court, where a judge must weigh evidence and rule that an individual (not always a senior citizen) needs help making their decisions and monitoring their finances. A vetted and trained and court-sworn volunteer is then assigned to help. These volunteers receive support from an executive director (trained in social services) and other professionals as needed. The relationships made between volunteers and persons served is often rewarding to both.
This program is called Johnson County VASIA (Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults). It is overseen by Judge Kevin Barton, Superior Court 2, and Executive Director Joe Erickson.
If you would like to help preserve the dignity of a senior in our community, I encourage you to contact Joe Erickson at 317-346-4414 for more information.
Peter Jessen
Board member, Johnson County VASIA
