“People who don’t cherish their elderly have forgotten whence they came and whither they go.” ~ Ramsey Clark
Our Mission
To protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of incapacitated adults by providing ethical, compassionate guardianship services and systemic advocacy throughout Southern Indiana.
Our Vision
To ensure the people in our program can continue to live as safely and independently, as possible. With the help from community donations and compassionate volunteers we will be able to provide the peace of mind to our clients with overseeing quality healthcare and finances.
Our Values
- Compassion
- Inclusivity
- Respect
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Accountability
Reliable Decision Making with Compassion and Respect
VACA will serve as the court-appointed legal guardian of incapacitated adults in Southern Indiana and provide assistance to those adults through trained Volunteer Advocates. The Guardianship Program promotes the dignity of a person who no longer has the capacity to make major life decisions by helping them find the least-restrictive assistance that also prioritizes their best interest, safety, and self-determination.
Supported decision making (SDM) is a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision- making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices. A person using SDM selects trusted advisors, such as friends, family members, or professionals, to serve as supporters. The supporters agree to help the person with a disability understand, consider, and communicate decisions, giving the person with a disability the tools to make her own, informed, decisions.
For guardians, there is a lot to learn — about guardianship court processes, reporting requirements, fiduciary responsibilities, marshaling income and assets, accessing public benefits, making medical and end-of-life decisions, and much more. Guardians oversee a wide variety of healthcare, homecare, housing, benefits, budget, finance, and other basic needs.
A legal proceeding to appoint a person who is responsible to the court to take care of an incapacitated individual or minor and/or manage that individual’s property.
An “incapacitated person” is someone who cannot fully manage their property and/or provide self care because of insanity, mental illness or deficiency, physical illness, habitual drunkenness, excessive use of drugs, incarceration, confinement, detention, duress, fraud, undue influence of others, or other incapacity or a person who has a developmental disability. (IC 29-3-1-7.5)
- Guardian of the Person: oversees the proper living condition and treatment for the protected person
- Guardian of the Estate: responsible to oversee and manage proper investment and financial affairs of the protected person
- Guardian of the Person & Estate: responsible for both of the above aspects of a protected person’s life
- A power of attorney is voluntary; a Guardianship can be voluntary or involuntary
- A power of attorney is easily revoked; a Guardianship can only be terminated by a court order
- A power of attorney is made by someone who is competent; a Guardianship usually involves someone who is incompetent by age or health
- A power of attorney is private and does not involve a court; a Guardianship involves court proceedings
- An attorney in fact under a power of attorney has less formal accountability than a Guardian
- Do everything for the best interests of the protected person
- File an inventory of assets if guardian of the estate
- Keep all funds of the protected person separate from the Guardian’s personal funds
- Obtain permission from the court before selling anything of value belonging to the protected person
- Obtain approval from the court if making an unusual expenditure for the protected person
- Obtain approval before moving the protected person out of town or out of state
- Every two years, file an accounting of income, assets and expenses with the court and others
We extend our deepest gratitude to our Sponsors of Senior Strength. Your generosity and commitment make a tangible difference in the lives of seniors with dementia and their caregivers. Because of your support, we can continue providing essential resources, advocating for meaningful change, and fostering a compassionate community for those in need. Your partnership is invaluable, and we are honored to have you as a vital part of our mission. Together, we are making a lasting impact, ensuring that no senior or caregiver faces this journey alone.
