Local VASIA volunteer honored as guardian of the year

Here was a chance to speak up for those who couldn’t speak for themselves.

Linda Krueger had never heard of adult guardianship before reading newspaper article. But then she learned about a new county office called Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults, or VASIA.

The agency would be tasked with providing help for local residents afflicted with conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and mental illnesses who are unable to care for themselves or make decisions on their own.

Krueger felt compelled to act.

“I was in the process of helping my mom with a similar situation, and I thought, what do people do who don’t have anyone to help them?” she said. “I was amazed how many people don’t have a family member or anyone to be able to help them make decisions, especially when they get to the point of needing memory care.”

Krueger has been a volunteer with VASIA ever since. For her tireless effort and dedication to her clients, Krueger has been named the Volunteer Guardian of the Year. The honor was presented by Nick Parker, staff attorney for the Children and Families Division Office of Court Services, during the Indiana Guardianship Symposium in June.

Her selflessness embodied all that the award stands for, Parker said.

“She’s worked passionately with her VASIA program for many years, and she has served as a volunteer guardian for numerous individuals. She has heart, she has dedication to the VASIA network and that was clear in the nomination,” he said. “We were proud to recognize her.”

Being recognized with a distinction was a proud moment for Krueger. But more important is the connection she forges with her VASIA clients week in and week out. She hopes her work spotlights the need for volunteers in the program and encourages other local residents to sign up.

“It could be a very rewarding volunteer opportunity,” she said. “You feel good when you’re helping someone else. It gives you a focus and helps you appreciate everything a little more that you’re helping someone and doing rewarding things.”

Johnson and Shelby County VASIA, or Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults, is a court-based guardianship program. The program is overseen by Johnson Superior Court Judge Kevin Barton and Shelby Circuit Court Judge Trent Meltzer and is administered by Lauren Rynerson as director.

But the key component to its success are volunteer advocates.

“VASIA is a volunteer-led program, so we have to have volunteers in order to operate and maintain a caseload,” Rynerson said. “In order to continue serving those in need, we need to continue to have more volunteers.”

Adults under guardianship are those who do not have a suitable family member or friend who has been empowered to make those decisions. A judge must rule, after medical and other testimony, that a person needs someone to make those decisions in their best interest, and assign that person to Johnson and Shelby County VASIA.

VASIA volunteer advocates are vetted, trained and court sworn in for their roles in providing medical decision-making support for those unable to make those decisions on their own. All visits are documented and reviewed by Rynerson and a judge.

Further supervision and guidance are given by the state, through the Supreme Court Office of Court Services. Volunteers meet for continuing education and support on a regular basis.

Each year, the office hosts its Indiana Guardianship Symposium, during which officials recognize a staff member, volunteer and director of the year. Nominations were accepted all across the state. Krueger was nominated by the local VASIA office.

“Linda just exemplifies the kind of volunteer we want to highlight with this award,” Parker said.

As the Johnson County/Shelby County VASIA office was getting established in 2017, Krueger saw an article in the Daily Journal explaining what they were looking for in terms of volunteers as well as the point of the program.

She had been retired for a few years and was looking for a way to fill her time. The mission resonated with her. Krueger went through three nights of training to learn the expectations of a VASIA volunteer, legal aspects of the role and strategies for working with the people in need of guardianship. Soon, she matched with her first local resident.

Though challenging at first, the experience was immensely fulfilling.

“It was a quick learning experience. There was all this information you had to find out,” she said. “You have to be very patient, because no one responds as quickly as you wish they would. You have to be persistent because you get put on the back-burner if you don’t keep asking questions. But I’ve never been afraid to appear as if I don’t know the answer, and I’ll keep asking questions until I can understand what’s happening.”

Krueger is currently one of 14 VASIA volunteers for Johnson and Shelby counties. She currently oversees three adults under guardianship, helping them with everything from ensuring funeral preparations are in place to helping manage financial situations.

Sometimes she’ll bring them their favorite treats or a book for them to read. Her goal is to see them three times a week to catch up and touch base with staff at the care facilities where they live to ensure everything is going smoothly.

“I’ve seen results, and I’ve seen people who I’ve been able to help that would not have anyone otherwise,” she said. “We get people taken care of, and we can put their minds at ease.”

When Krueger learned she was Indiana’s Volunteer Guardian of the Year, it came as a complete surprise. She never expected any recognition for the work she was doing; to her, it was all part of the process.

“I feel like what I’m doing is what we signed up to do. I don’t feel like I’m doing anything special,” she said. “But I also know that over the years, we’ve had a lot of volunteers come and go. So sometimes people get into it and find out there’s more involved than they thought.”

Still, those who know Krueger emphasize her importance to the program.

“Linda has been with our local VASIA program from the beginning, in 2017,” said Peter Jessen, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. “There were fewer programs when we began, but quickly our county program was considered one of the best. She is one of the principal reasons for that. She’s one of our best representatives of an ethical, committed volunteer who goes the extra mile for those she has served as volunteer guardian over the years. May her tribe increase.”

Those who are interested in becoming a compassionate volunteer advocate for an adult under guardianship should visit the VASIA website at indianavasia.org.

Volunteers should be over the age of 21, and expect to put in an average of six hours each month in meeting with clients, though people can set their own hours. Activities include monthly visits, personal shopping, recreational activities, service monitoring, and advocacy.

“I am so thankful for people like Linda and our other volunteers. Without having volunteers to fill those roles, we cannot take on additional cases,” Rynerson said.

AT A GLANCE

Johnson County/Shelby County VASIA

How to help: Johnson County/Shelby County Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults is in need of volunteers to be public guardians for its program.

Information

Anyone 21 and older can volunteer.

Volunteers should expect to put in an average of 6 hours monthly. The time commitment will vary according to the need of the protected person.

Communication with the protected person may be hampered by cognitive decline due to impairment. Patience is a welcomed attribute in being a volunteer.

You can apply by filling out the volunteer application form and scheduling an interview to determine whether this opportunity is what you are really seeking.

Usually, a volunteer will be able to set their own hours. However, consent for a change of medications or the need for emergency care may be needed at about any time.

VASIA helps prepare volunteers by offering training and tools.

Anyone interested can go to indianavasia.org/volunteer or contact Johnson County VASIA executive director Lauren Rynerson at [email protected] or 317-346-4414.