Resource Link

https://acl.gov/news-and-events/acl-blog/preserving-right-self-determination-supported-decision-making

Resource Description

Introduction: This article was written by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging and Former Commissioner of the Administration on Disabilities. It talks about helping people with disabilities and older people make choices. It was written by a government leader who worked with aging and disability programs. The article explains why guardianship can be a problem and why supported decision-making is often better.

Resource Summary

Content Summary: Guardianship is a legal process that can take away people's right to make their own choices. When courts put someone under guardianship, they say that person cannot make decisions anymore. Someone else makes all their choices for them. This happens to many people with disabilities and older people with memory problems. The Administration for Community Living thinks there are better ways to help people. They support something called supported decision-making. This means helping people make their own choices instead of taking over for them. With supported decision-making, helpers get to know each person well. They learn what kind of help that person needs. Some people need a little help. Others need more help. The help changes based on what each person needs. In 2015, the government gave money to start a new center. This center would teach people about supported decision-making. It would gather information about how supported decision-making works. It would help states learn about ways to help people besides guardianship. The government knows that some people have trouble understanding or telling others what they want. But supported decision-making can still help these people. It can be changed to give more or less help as needed. Even when someone needs a lot of help, supported decision-making tries to respect their wishes. Supported decision-making works in different ways for different people. Some people just need help understanding choices. Others need more support to make choices. The important thing is that it lets people keep their rights. It helps them stay in charge of their own lives as much as they can.