By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The number of older or disabled people unable to make important decisions for themselves is outpacing the number of people volunteering to help them. So Wood County officials are looking at teaming up with another county experiencing the same problem.
Each year, Judge Dave Woessner encounters people in Wood County Probate Court who are facing huge issues in their lives – without family to help them make life-altering decisions.
As of last month, there were 433 ongoing cases – but just 17 volunteers. Woessner recently explained to the county commissioners that 46 guardianship cases were filed so far this year, compared to 52 filed in all of 2022.
“This is being generated by the aging generation and family dynamics,” the judge said. Unlike the past, when children often lived close to their parents, now many children live far away. Ohio law requires that guardians must live locally.
The Volunteer Guardian program pairs up volunteers with adults declared incompetent by the court. Many of the adults are referred to the court by local nursing homes, Adult Protective Services, local mental health services or Wood Lane. Some of the older adults are no longer able to look out for their best interests and don’t have family members to help. Some of the younger adults have developmental disabilities and lack family to take that role.
“They have nobody to care for them,” Woessner said. “Bottom line – this isn’t going to be going away.”
So every once in a while, the judge makes a pitch for people willing to serve as volunteer guardians with Wood County Probate Court. The work can be time intensive – but also rewarding. Oftentimes, long-term relationships are created, he said.
On good days, the volunteers might go to the movies or out to dinner with their match. On bad days, the guardians might have to give permission for medical procedures or be with the person at the end of their life.
Wood County’s guardianship program is currently a “piecemeal system,” Woessner said. While attorneys often provide similar guardianship services, the volunteers can often respond faster to needs, Woessner said.
Plus “everytime a lawyer does this, it’s being billed,” he added.
The volunteers do not handle any monetary issues.
“We purposefully keep them out of volatile situations,” he said.
Hancock County officials have approached Woessner about forming a joint guardianship program, with Hancock County Probate Court having office space and employing a person to be in charge. Wood County would hire a case manager and help with the expenses of the joint program.
“It’s a good program. It can help us,” Woessner told the county commissioners. “As our population ages, it’s going to be something needed more.”
Also in attendance at the meeting with the county commissioners were leaders of Wood County Developmental Disabilities, Wood County Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, and Wood County Adult Protective Services.
Dave Wigent, director of Wood County Job and Family Services, agreed the need is increasing.
“The baby boomers are coming into this category,” he said.
Wood County Commissioner Doris Herringshaw said the commissioners support the program, and will await figures of how much funding is being sought.
“Hopefully we can add this. But we’ve got to see the numbers,” she said.
To qualify, a volunteer must be 21 years or older, fill out an application and go through a background check. They must complete six hours of training, then three hours of continuing education each year. The volunteers must make at least once a month face-to-face contact with the person they are matched with.
Anyone interested in becoming a Volunteer Guardian may call Wood County Probate Court at 419-354-9230, and speak with Jennifer Robeson, office manager for probate court.
