Volunteer Guardianship

USS provides guardians for Clark County nursing home residents, age 60 or better, who are incapable of making informed decisions and do not have family who are willing, able, or appropriate to be their advocate.

Our volunteers are Guardians of Person only. They are tasked with making personal decisions, such as healthcare and housing. They also have access to the resident’s personal needs allowance to make sure funds are being spent on items the resident needs.  Volunteers have no financial obligations.

Some nursing home residents have lost the capacity to advocate for themselves, and they do not have help to ensure that decisions are made in their best interest.

Having regular visitors improves quality of life for residents. It gives them something to look forward to and can positively impact their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Eligibility to become a Volunteer Guardian:

• Has compassion and an interest in helping older adults.
• Age 21 or older.
• Undergoes a criminal background check.
• Commits one year to the program, visiting twice a month.
• Submits a volunteer application and completes an interview.
• Completes guardianship training.

Eligibility to receive a Volunteer Guardian:

• Age 60 or better.
• Resides in a Clark County nursing home.
• Medicaid eligible or has limited financial resources.
• Has been evaluated by a licensed physician who determined the person can no longer make informed decisions.
• Does not have family who are willing, able, or appropriate to be appointed guardian.

The USS Advocacy Coordinator walks volunteers through every step of the following processes.

Application Process

• Volunteer submits a USS volunteer application and completes an interview.
• USS completes a criminal background check.
• Volunteer completes a 6-hour online training from the Ohio Supreme Court.

Assignment Process

• Volunteer is matched to a nursing home resident and then the two are introduced.
• If the Volunteer Guardian and the resident are agreeable to the match, an application will be made to Probate Court.

Probate Court Process

• The needed forms are prepared and submitted to Clark County Probate Court.
• The hearing is attended by both the Advocacy Coordinator and Volunteer Guardian.

• 1-year commitment of visits twice a month to establish a relationship with the ward.
• Reports hours to Advocacy Coordinator.
• Submits annual report and plan to Clark County Probate Court.
• Completes a 6-hour online training course provided by the Ohio Supreme Court prior to being assigned a ward. 
• Completes a 3-hour online continuing education course provided by the Ohio Supreme Court annually.
• USS provides each appointed Volunteer Guardian with an informational toolkit on care conferences, medical records, resident rights, guidelines for making decisions, and resources.
• Volunteer Guardians are supported by the Advocacy Coordinator, staff of Clark County Probate Court, and fellow volunteers.

USS believes the job of a guardian is to protect their rights, and guard them from any form of abuse or exploitation. Volunteer Guardians are asked to form relationships with their wards and to honor their wishes whenever possible, keeping in mind the mandate to keep them safe.