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Guardianship Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 11481
Fort Worth, TX 76110
phone: 817.921.0499
fax: 817.921.0680
email:gsi@guardianshipservices.org
Guardianship Program

Guardianship is a legal process and should be used only as a last resort. Guardianship clients have severe memory loss, dementia, and cognitive impairments that seriously jeopardize their health and well-being. Many clients have experienced self-neglect, physical abuse or financial exploitation. A guardian is appointed only when it has been determined that the client lacks decision-making capacity and must have a surrogate decision-maker appointed to advocate for services and give informed consent for medical procedures.  Read more about the work we do for our clients by reading the Client Profiles.

ELIGIBILITY

Clients must be adult residents of Tarrant County who have been adjudicated incapacitated and in need of a guardian. They must meet the Texas Probate Code definition of incapacity. GSI is appointed only when there is no family member or friend willing, able, or suitable to serve.

DECISION-MAKING PRINCIPLES

As guardian, GSI follows two basic decision-making principles.

Substituted Judgment – Our goal is to find out what the client would have wanted if he or she had capacity and could have communicated that decision. If possible, we then carry out the client’s wishes. 

 

Best Interest – When it is impossible to learn what a client would want, we evaluate the risks and benefits of a course of action and decide what would best serve the client. 

 

Applying these principles ensures that we preserve clients' rights and preferences while protecting them from abuse, neglect or exploitaiton.
 
Volunteer Activities

 

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

 

Money Management Training

Volunteer Guardian Training

 

 

Call Debbie Schutkowski

817-921-0499

for information.

 
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Educational:

The Alzheimer's Association has organized a new program, REACH, which provides resources for caregivers. Call 1-800-272-3900 to learn more about the program.

Are you experiencing problems obtaining services for older adults and people with disabilities? Call the Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1-888-730-2372. You are also welcome to visit the center from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76119.

Cancer Care Services hosts quarterly professional programs. CEU's are available. Reservations required.  For more detailed information, or to RSVP, contact Jane Oderberg:  janeo@cancercareservices.org or 817.921.0653, ext. 206.
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