As an elder care columnist, I'm frequently asked what to do in a situation where there is extreme estrangement between adult children and their aging parents, or another scenario, a neighbor is concerned about a senior with no family. In both cases, one suggestion I offer is that they look into arranging guardianship. Obviously, the process is different if you are related than if you are just a neighbor trying to help out (where your county social services should likely be called). This process can be costly, and as a legal action, it can be burdensome to follow through on, but it is the right solution for some people.
The following article, Petitioning for Guardianship, is by the social services team at the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, and offers some valuable tips. The article begins:
"We are often asked for advice about legal issues, in particular why a person would need to petition the court for guardianship of a loved one who has dementia and what to expect during that court process. A guardianship proceeding is generally brought on by an interested party who desires to make decisions for a person who he or she feels lacks the capacity to make financial or medical decisions, and who has not drawn up advance directives (will, living will, health care proxy, power of attorney)."
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