[Mountaindewed]

When you are over 18 but not your own guardian do you not have a say in your care? Like can you be sent to the hospital involuntarily if your guardian says you need to go? Also do you not have control over your finances?

I know people who only get $10 a week. And also this one Women’s family said she couldn’t get a mammogram done when she wanted one. Btw the women’s insurance would of paid for it. I’m guessing these people are not their own guardian?

Can you be taken advantage of if a family member is your guardian?

I’ve been my own guardian since I was 18. So I have no idea how it works.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Bozdickens

When you are over 18 but not your own guardian do you not have a say in your care? Like can you be sent to the hospital involuntarily if your guardian says you need to go? Also do you not have control over your finances?

I know people who only get $10 a week. And also this one Women’s family said she couldn’t get a mammogram done when she wanted one. Btw the women’s insurance would of paid for it. I’m guessing these people are not their own guardian?

Can you be taken advantage of if a family member is your guardian?

I’ve been my own guardian since I was 18. So I have no idea how it works.

short version it depends on why the courts awarded a person a guardian in their adult years.people dont just become guardians for another adult. a court makes a decision based on whether that adult is able to take care of their self, take care of their own medications, their own finances....including whether that adult is able to make their own health care decisions.

if the court has decided an adult needs a guardian the court tells the appointed guardian what their job is as guardian care taker for that person that cant take care of their own mental and physical health decisions.

the guardian keeps records for the court on things like where that persons money goes to, what meds that person is on, medical records and so on. this way if the court audits the guardian to make sure that guardian is doing their job, everything is documented.

after someone has been given a guardian they dont get to make their decisions about what ever reasons the court decided they needed the guardian... example if its been proven to the court that the person can not manage their own money then the appointed guardian makes all money decisions, if the court decides the person needs a guardian because they have proven they cant take care of their own mental and physical health problems and decisions, medications and so on then the guardian does that....

its all about why the guardian has been appointed in the first place, your friend will need to talk to their guardian to find out why they have a guardian that has been appointed to manage the money and doctor appointments. if they dont agree then they can contact a lawyer who will help them to go to court and have it fixed so that they dont have a guardian any more, they need to prove to the court that they are able to take care of their self, their money and doctor appointments on their own.

Where I am you need only be 14 to make your own health decisions. If there is a family disagreement (ex. religious beliefs) regarding medical care a legal guardian is assigned to the youth while a medical team and judge deliberate over the care of the child.

However, I think we are discussing a situation other than this. I am assuming you are referring to individuals who - for mental health reasons - have been deemed unable to make their own decisions. Age has no factor here.

You however have indicated you are a legal adult. Why is this relevant? Are you concerned you may lose the ability to govern your own affairs? Talk to you psychiatrist or therapist about this. They might be able to sort this out for you and put your fears at ease.

[Mountaindewed]

I’m saying I’m my own guardian because I have no idea what it’s like not to be. So I’m trying to understand these people’s situations without having any expirence of my own.

Yes I’m referring to adults with mental health issues.

My mom says I might not be understanding what they are saying. Or that their interpretation is not correct.

In the majority of cases an individual with mental health conditions remains in charge of themselves. For example, most people checked into a hospital are there so voluntarily. However, there are cases that arise when it is deemed that someone is of danger to themselves or others. This is when the voluntary status may be (usually temporarily) taken away while they receive suitable treatment. Now, there is still a recourse of action for these persons to grieve such decisions and take measures to have them reversed. Some countries, areas, etc even have court at the hospital where a lawyer (usually assigned) makes argument for the patient's rights as an individual to be restored to them. I want to stress this as you seem concerned that your own rights are tenuous perhaps.

[kecanoe]

Originally Posted by Bozdickens

When you are over 18 but not your own guardian do you not have a say in your care? Like can you be sent to the hospital involuntarily if your guardian says you need to go? Also do you not have control over your finances?

I know people who only get $10 a week. And also this one Women’s family said she couldn’t get a mammogram done when she wanted one. Btw the women’s insurance would of paid for it. I’m guessing these people are not their own guardian?

Can you be taken advantage of if a family member is your guardian?

I’ve been my own guardian since I was 18. So I have no idea how it works.

You would have a say in your care, but not the final decision. The final decision would be made by the guardian.

Guardians usually control finances as well. And yes, a person could be taken advantage of by their guardian. The guardian is supposed to have the best interest of the person as their goal, but there are always people who do not do what they should.

It is possible that the people you have been hearing from do not completely understand the situation. Maybe the woman wanting the mammogram has had one recently and the guardian knows it is too soon for insurance to pay. Or something.

Guardians are only appointed if a judge is convinced that a person is not capable of making decisions for themselves.