Justice Alaska on Hometown Alaska returns after its brief summer hiatus with a three-part look at the protective role courts play on behalf of the most vulnerable citizens—the elderly, children and new immigrants.
On this week’s program, special concerns of the elderly—from fraud protection to court-appointed guardians—will be our focus.
Older Alaskans are the fastest growing population group in the state. Practically everyone has an older relative or a neighbor aging in place. With that chapter of life comes challenges over health and medicine, safety and security, independence and even the dangers of loneliness.
Courts have a role; they can appoint a helper. This can come in the form of a limited or an expansive power of attorney; a conservator who basically pays the bills and files the taxes; or a guardian who oversees all aspects—from health and safety to finances. Guardianship is not a forever role; it can be reviewed, calibrated or reversed.
A magistrate judge working in this area said his first impression was the good work of helping those in need. But with time, he more fully realized that guardianship means eclipsing some rights—a decision the courts take very seriously.
If you have an aging relative or a friend and neighbor you worry about, bring your questions and concerns. Learn how to enlist the court’s help, and more chillingly, hear accounts of fending off too-good-to-be-true charlatans and opportunists who prey on vulnerable and lonely seniors.
Join us for this important look at legally caring for older Alaskans.
HOSTS: Senior Judge Elaine Andrews and Kathleen McCoy
GUESTS:
- James T. Stanley, magistrate judge, Alaska Court System
- Marieann Z. Vassar, court visitor, Office of Public Advocacy
LINKS:
- ASAGA, Alaska State Association for Guardianship & Advocacy, (907) 444-4015, asagaak@gci.net
- Self-help services: Guardianship & Conservatorship, FAQ, Alaska Court System
- Alaska Public Guardians, Office of Public Advocacy
- Powers and Duties of a Full Guardian of an Adult, Alaska Court System (20pg PDF)
- How to ask the court to appoint a guardian for an adult (13pg PDF)
- Petition for Appointment of a Full Guardian for an Adult (7pg PDF)
- Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska
- 7 legal issues that caregivers face, www.agingcare.com
- Elder law, legal planning for seniors and their families
- AARP Legal Matters: Power of Attorney, AARP.org
RELEVANT DATES:
- Free and open to the public:
Thursdays, Oct. 13 and Nov. 10, presented by ASAGA
Noon: How to Petition for Adult Guardianship
1:00 pm: How to Fill out your Annual Report
Snowden Training Room, 820 W. 4th Ave.
NOV. 8 ELECTION:
- Find out more about judicial retention in the upcoming election. Additional information at Alaska Judicial Council website, and the Alaska Division of Elections website
PARTICIPATE:
- Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752 (statewide) during the live broadcast (2:00 – 3:00pm)
- Send email to hometown@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air) hometown@alaskapublic.org
- Post your comment or question below (comments may be read on air)
- LIVE BROADCAST: Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Alaska time)
- REPEAT BROADCAST: Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Alaska time)
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