Alzheimer's and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth leading cause of death among all U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, the impact of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is likely to increase significantly in the next few decades as our population ages. Because cognitive decline is a primary symptom, many people with the disease will need a guardian to manage their affairs. This three hour course provides an overview of the symptoms, detection, and treatment for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including ways to detect it early and slow the progression. It also provides practical suggestions for relating to people with dementia as well as resources to help both patients and caregivers.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Identify signs, symptoms, and treatments for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
2. Explain methods for interacting with individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia
3. Describe resources available to help caregivers and patients

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Government Benefits

How can a guardian navigate the complex web of government benefits to ensure the person under their care has everything they need and everything for which they are eligible? This three hour course explores the basics of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, Medicaid, and Veteran’s Benefits.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Describe benefits available through programs administered by the Social Security Administration, the Ohio Department of Medicaid, and the Department of Veterans Affairs
2. Identify benefits for which persons under your care may be eligible
3. Determine the appropriate steps to take when applying for benefits
4. Find resources to further assist the person under your care

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Guardianship of the Estate

This three hour course is designed to provide guardians of adults the fundamentals of managing finances and preserving the income and assets of a person under their care.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Identify the steps to locate the assets of a person under care
2. Complete an accurate inventory
3. Identify the steps to complete monthly records in order to support accurate annual accounts
4. Identify the steps to properly manage the finances of a person under care
5. Complete an accurate Annual Guardian’s Account

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Introduction to the Developmental Disabilities System

This three hour course is designed to provide guardians of adults with the fundamentals of the system to support individuals with developmental disabilities.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Describe the core elements of the system in place to support adults with developmental disabilities
2. Identify the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities
3. Identify the criteria used to determine eligibility for County Board Developmental Disability programs
4. Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the team to support an individual with a developmental disability
5. Recognize the eligibility criteria for available services
6. Recognize key approaches to resolve disputes

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Medications and Medical Advocacy

As a guardian, you are often called upon to make decisions involving medical care. This course provides information about effectively managing medications, including questions to ask, tools to help you learn about specific drugs, and information about specific classes of drugs. It also provides an ethical framework that will help you understand your role as an advocate. You will learn questions to ask and methods that ensure you communicate the wishes and best interests of the person under your care. Also included is an overview of the roles that various health care providers play in a hospital setting.

As a result of participating in this Judicial College Medications and Medical Advocacy Course, you should be able to:

1. Be an advocate when evaluating medications and medical procedures in terms of safety and quality of life
2. Learn about tools that help you better understand potential risks of drug therapy
3. Gain confidence to approach medical staff with questions or concerns
4. Understand and navigate the hospital system
5. Ethically represent the wishes and best interests of the person for whom you are a guardian

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Fundamentals of Adult Guardianship (LAYPERSON)

This tuition-free online, self-study continuing education fundamentals course is six (6) hours in length and is geared toward a layperson audience.

All guardians are tasked with the extremely important responsibility of making critical decisions for another person, while focusing on protecting and preserving the rights of the individual being served. Uniform education will guide guardians to fulfill their duties in a way that is consistent with national standards and Ohio’s rules for courts. Ultimately, the result is to provide you, in your role as guardian, the information and tools to ensure that your decisions are grounded on the best interests of Ohio citizens under your care.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Identify the process of establishing adult guardianship
2. Determine responsibilities and reporting requirements of guardians of adults
3. Discuss appropriate resources for persons under care
4. Describe best practices in specific situations

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End of Life Decisions

Guardians are used to making difficult decisions on behalf of the person under their care. However, the decisions that arise at the end of life can be the most emotional and overwhelming challenges guardians face. This three hour course will help guardians prepare for the complex choices that go along with the final illness and death of a loved one.

As a result of participating in this course, guardians will be able to:

1. Identify legal responsibilities of guardians when the person under their care is ill or passes away;
2. Discuss medical decisions associated with serious illness and palliative care;
3. Explain factors to consider when selecting long term care facilities or hospice care; and
4. Describe options related to memorial services and the final disposition of the person under your care.

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Download Instructions

1. Click the Download Course Materials button.
2. Locate the video you need. The page contains a video and PDF participant manual for each course.
3. Click the blue Download button in the bottom right.
4. Right-click the Download 1080p Video button and select Save Link As… or Save Target As…
5. Select a location for the .mp4 file and click Save.

Note: These videos are large high definition files. To request a link to a smaller file, email AdultGuardianEDU@sc.ohio.gov.

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Mental Illness and Guardianships

Mental illness can be debilitating and mystifying for both the people that suffer from it and for their loved ones. Additionally, it impacts a broad section of our society. According to government statistics, every year 4-5 percent of Ohioans suffer from a severe mental illness. This three-hour course will help guardians build their understanding of mental health conditions, develop coping techniques, and better advocate for the people under their care.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Discuss mental health conditions that most often result in guardianship as well as their treatment;
2. Explain methods for interacting with people suffering from mental illness;
3. Describe mental health court programs available in Ohio; and
4. Identify resources outside the court system to help people under your care.

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STABLE Accounts and Special Needs Planning

Financial management is a core responsibility for guardians, and the stakes can be high when the person under your care receives means-tested government benefits. This 3-hour course will cover several primary methods for protecting the assets of disabled people, including Ohio STABLE accounts, special needs trusts (SNTs), and other planning strategies.

As a result of attending this course, guardians will be able to:

1. Discuss the benefits, limits, and requirements of STABLE accounts; and
2. Describe how SNTs preserve benefits while accomplishing other goals for the person and their family.

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