Just when I thought I could box up most of the guardianship files that were sitting on and around my desk, our Vegas Voice telephone kept ringing, reminding me that “elder abuse, especially in financial issues,” are still very much the name of the game.
I’ve written in previous columns about a large poster board that sits on a stand outside of Family Court, boldly titled Protected Person’s Bill of Rights. The term “Protected Persons” is the name that the original guardianship commission, on which I served, chose to refer to people with guardians, rather than “Wards.” The commission felt it was a far kinder name for those seniors who were victims of the guardianship scandal.
Following the name change designation, after hearing tragic, shocking, gut-wrenching testimony from the families of many of the “protected persons,” former Nevada Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley forged The Protected Person’s Bill of Rights. This Bill of Rights was approved by the Nevada Legislature and signed into law by then Governor Brian Sandoval.
As I spoke to the various friends and family members that have reached out to me in the past few weeks, I realized that the group homes and rehab facilities that house their “protected persons” knew nothing of these rights. In one instance, we were discussing the physical abuse of one senior lady whose “crime” was merely attempting to send an email to a friend on the outside.
I will place the complete Bill of Rights on our website, www.theVegasVoice.net and will also place it on my blog, www.AnthemToday.com so you can print out a copy. If you have a friend or family member who is in a rehab, assisted living, or any facility where staff deals with their day-to-day needs, that copy can be a handy document for them to have.
In my opinion, it’s always good for them to know that they still have rights – no matter how elderly or frail they might be.
*On a far happier and joyous subject, last month I wrote about my relationship with my youngest grandson Alex who was married in Lake Tahoe at the end of September. My bucket list dream: Dancing with him at his wedding.
Publisher Dan surprised me with a large canvas copy of this photograph which is now mounted in my home. Each time I pass by the picture, it reminds me of that wonderful weekend and how fortunate I am to have a large extended family.
With my last birthday I’ve come to terms with the fact that the years are flying by me at record speed. I only hope that when “my time” is up, my family will enjoy having these memories as much as I do.
Perhaps one day Alex, will look at that picture and tell his children about the promises we all make to each other, and how much happiness these special promises bring to everyone.
