The Center for Social Gerontology, Inc. (TCSG), since its inception in 1972, has been a non-profit research, training and social policy organization dedicated to promoting the individual autonomy of older persons and advancing their well-being in society.
Since the mid-1980’s, TCSG has devoted special attention to the issue of guardianship and older Americans because the imposition of full guardianship strips a person of all her/his decision-making rights. Thus, it is a major threat to individual autonomy. We do, however, recognize that it is needed in certain situations.
As a result of TCSG’s concerns about guardianship and the manner in which it is imposed and utilized, we have conducted numerous studies of various aspects of the guardianship issue, and done substantial work to promote less restrictive alternatives. This has included a landmark study on how the guardianship system operates in the courts; a number of studies and projects pioneering the use of mediation in guardianship cases, in an effort to avoid unnecessary use of guardianship. It also included very early recognition of an emerging service industry of individuals and organizations available to provide guardianship services for a fee – guardianship service providers (GSPs). We undertook the first-ever study of GSPs (in Michigan), and based on learning from that study and guidance from an excellent national advisory committee, we developed the first-ever standards for GSPs. These were issued as a Committee Print by the U.S. House Select Committee on Aging Subcommittee on Housing and Consumer Interests.
The TCSG publications section of this site contains valuable information on guardianship and alternatives, including reports on TCSG’s studies and policy recommendations, and our standards for guardianship service providers.