VASIA Lake County, Indiana

Overview

The Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) program - a collaborative effort between Franciscan Health and Lake County Superior Courts - provides trained and supervised volunteers to serve as court-appointed limited guardians to assist this vulnerable population and the courts in decision-making regarding their critical needs. Volunteers in the VASIA program complete a 30-hour training program and serve as a limited volunteer agent on behalf of the program for one case at a time.

History

The VASIA Program began in 2001 as an effort to address the healthcare and social services needs of the ever-increasing population of un-befriended elderly patients being served by Franciscan Health. Since then, the hospitals have worked with the Lake Superior Court, the local legal community and the major health care and social service providers in the region to establish the program. The Program is partners with other existing and emerging service delivery programs for seniors and incapacitated adults to develop a continuum of elder law advocacy, guardianship services and programs within the region.

Sponsors

The VASIA Program was founded by Franciscan Health in partnership with the Lake Superior Court. It is part of the Franciscan Health mission of exemplifying "Gospel values by respecting life, promoting the dignity and wholeness of all those we serve and responding to community needs within the limits of our resources through provision of a comprehensive range of quality healthcare services."

The VASIA Program is partially funded by grants from The Retirement Research Foundation, Indiana Bar Foundation, Arc Bridges of Indiana, Legacy Foundation, Inc. and other local, state and national funders and individual donors.

Required Documents

• Case Intake Referral Form
• Physician's Report
• Face Sheet
• History and Physical
• Progress Notes/Consult Notes/Nurse Notes
• Medication List

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VASIA referral and assignment process for adult guardianship?

A licensed physician determines that a person who is a patient, confined in a hospital, extended care facility, or hospice, age of 18 or above, is incapable of making his/her decisions or determining their best interest. The facilities’ social service department determines that there are not existing advance directives or involved relatives who are willing, able, suitable decision makers, or suitable to be the guardian of the person. Social services then completes a case referral form and collects additional information needed for submission of the complete referral package.

Once a referral is made to the VASIA program, their legal counsel prepares and files a petition to the Probate Court to be appointed as the Temporary Limited Guardian of the Person for a period of 90 days. This appointment can be emergent or nonemergent as determined by the legal counsel.

Once temporary guardianship is approved, it may change to permanent of the person only. Guardian of estate services are not offered by VASIA Programs, but referred to other resources.

How long does the process take to establish adult guardianship?

The petition is emergent or nonemergent, which is determined by the medical staff, VASIA staff, and the courts. If this petition is filed as emergent, then the petition is moved rather quickly between 48 to 72 hours. If the petition is nonemergent, then a date is set for a hearing, approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the date the petition is filed.

Who can apply for guardianship through our program?

Social services at a hospital, nursing home or hospice facility.

When does an adult guardianship end?

Guardianship legally ends when the person passes away, however, there are guardianship duties that may extend beyond the person’s passing.

Additional Guardianship Resources

Indiana Adult Guardianship Office

Indiana Code 29. Probate 29-3-8.5