The Chester County Orphans' Court is currently seeking volunteers willing to serve as its "eyes and ears" by visiting residents under guardianship throughout the county. Those interested in becoming part of the program are invited to attend a training session that will be held on Wednesday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W. Market St., West Chester, in Suite 3300A. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Diane Mulhearn, Orphans' Court administrator, explained that as part of the legal process, the court appoints guardians for individuals who are unable to manage their financial resources or meet essential requirements for physical health and safety. "These individuals cannot make decisions about their daily lives - where they live, medical decisions, and financial decisions due to serious physical or intellectual disabilities," Mulhearn stated. "They need an advocate to care for them because they are no longer capable of caring for themselves."
The individuals under guardianship might be someone with Alzheimer's disease, an adult who has sustained a brain injury, or an individual with physical or intellectual disabilities who has attained the majority age of 18. A guardian can be a family member, a friend, or a representative of professional agency
According to the Hon. Katherine B.L. Platt, an administrative judge with the Orphans' Court, the volume of open guardianships makes it impossible for the Orphans' Court judges to stay involved in each of the 750 cases that are open in the Chester County courts. This is where the volunteers come into play, serving as an extension of the court system by visiting those under guardianship. "This program is a godsend to the people we serve and to the court," Platt stated.
In addition to volunteer visitors, the court is in need of auditors who review annual financial reports, as well researchers, who create files for the volunteers that contain information about the guardian and the person under guardianship, including a doctor's report. The file is designed to familiarize the volunteers with the person they will visit.
"That is very helpful for us volunteers to have," said volunteer James Godbold of Downingtown, who retired from a career as a statistician in the field of medical research and is currently teaching at West Chester University. "It's also a great screening tool. Some people are more comfortable with (visiting) autistic individuals or those with Alzheimer's."
Volunteer Rebecca Stillman of Kennett Square, who was trained as a dental technician in the U.S. Navy, where she served for 15 years, enjoys visiting senior citizens. "For seven years, I worked with a corporation where we visited nursing homes to provide (dental) to care for seniors who could no longer go to the dentist," she said. "I love (seniors)."
"Volunteers can choose their clients based on their own preferences or geographical areas. Their time is their own," said Mulhearn. "Why this program is so successful is because it is so flexible."
Volunteers are asked to report any issues they might witness during the annual visit, which lasts between 45 minutes and an hour. Mulhearn noted that problems are not frequent because many of the guardians have made many sacrifices to care for their loved ones. "(During the visit), they can share their challenges and accomplishments and they have someone's undivided attention," she said. "These people have hearts of gold and have rearranged their lives and their homes to accommodate their loved ones. They are unsung heroes."
For more information about the program or to request an application for the upcoming training, readers may contact Kim Bainbridge, program coordinator, at 610-344-6484 or email kbainbridge@chesco.org.
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