Frequent readers of our website blog may remember an article we wrote last year regarding guardianship of elderly parents. In that article, we discussed how some diseases such as Alzheimer’s may create situations in which family members need to obtain the authority to make decisions on behalf of their loved ones.
That article pointed out certain “red flags” family member should look for when deciding whether to intervene. Things such as unpaid bills piling up, missed doctors’ appointments and a general disinterest can all be signs that it may be time for you to seek guardianship authority.
However, there are also some other very important reasons to establish guardianship of your elderly parents besides diseases associated with advanced age. Having guardianship can also allow you the necessary authority to act as your parents’ spokesperson in critical situations.
As an interested third-party, you can provide oversight and monitoring for your parents’ caregivers and other health care providers. For example, if you notice that your elderly parents have experienced some unusual weight loss, that may be an indication that you need to step in and take charge of the situation. Other red flags such as dehydration or poor hygiene are also indicators that your parents may not be receiving adequate care. Perhaps one of the telltale signs that something is not right regarding your parents’ care is when their caregivers restrict or deny you visitation access.
Based in Houston, our law firm has over 20 years of experience representing clients in family law matters throughout Harris County and the greater Houston Metroplex region. Knowing what rights and authority you have regarding your parents is important whether you have questions about your parent’s current care situation or you are looking to establish legal guardianships. You can arrange an appointment with our law firm about your concerns either online or via telephone for an initial free consultation.