The National Association of Social Workers Ad Hoc Committee on Protective Services for the elderly is recommending a total package of legislation for adoption in Missouri for adult clients. It is embarking on a campaign for a broad base of support through various organizations, social agencies, the Missouri Bar Association, legislators, business men, the elderly themselves and Missouri citizens in general.
The package of Protective Services Legislation which it is urging would accomplish the following objectives:
1. Provide for a form of temporary guardianship.
2. Provide for judicially authorized protective services without a declaration of incompetence.
3. Create a responsive office of the public guardian.
4. Obligate all guardians to use the least restrictive means to care for their wards (such as home delivered care as opposed to institutional care.)
5. Provide a mechanism whereby the less than wealthy can prepare for the advent of their own incapacity.
6. Inter-relate the activities of the social service system and the courts so that authority for effective action can be obtained to protect indigent and often alone individuals who are unable to appreciate their own acute conditions.
Originally published in The Paper, November 1976.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1976_11.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
