Since 1994, the Adult Guardianship Program at REAL Services has provided legal guardianship of to over 230 vulnerable, older adults who can no longer make their own decisions. Clients come to the Guardianship Program from a variety of circumstances; some have outlived or are estranged from their family, sometimes family members do not have the capacity to help the client because of their own life situation, others have been neglected or endangered by family members. Without someone to advocate for excellence in care, these older adults miss opportunities for medical treatment. Without someone to be consistently involved in their lives, their quality of life is diminished.
Staff members and volunteers from the Guardianship Program visit, advocate with medical and care workers, purchase personal need items, and resolve financial issues. The Program works to make decisions that reflect the known wishes of the client. As a client’s health declines, every effort is made to provide additional support and care to make sure that their life ends with dignity and comfort.
The Guardianship Program depends on Federal, State, and local funding to continue its efforts. Government grants have diminished over the last few years placing the Program’s future at risk. The Milton Grant of the St. Joseph County Community Foundation has provided a Challenge Grant, which matches donated contributions, to help us continue our work through this downturn and develop sustainable funding for the future.
You can help make a difference through a donation to the Challenge Grant.
Thank you to our financial contributors!
The Robert P. and Clara I. Milton Fund for Senior Housing of the
St. Joseph County Community Foundation
Barbara Warner
Community Services Block Grant
Community Services Block Grant of South Bend and Mishawaka
Family and Social Services Administration
The Allstate Foundation