Examining Guardianship Risk of Unbefriended Persons
Author Information
Author(s): Marcel Solange Hunter
Primary Institution: Hunter College, CUNY
Hypothesis
The study aims to examine the prevalence of unbefriended persons at risk for guardianship and the gaps in healthcare provider knowledge.
Conclusion
Unbefriended persons face vastly different experiences compared to those with surrogates, highlighting the need for improved education and advocacy.
Supporting Evidence
- 258 articles were screened for relevance.
- 17 studies were synthesized using the socioecological model.
- Neurocognitive and psychotic disorders were identified as intrapersonal antecedents.
- Social isolation increased vulnerability at the interpersonal level.
- Inadequate healthcare knowledge was noted as an organizational factor.
- Lack of guardian access was a significant environmental factor.
- Health facilities lacked effective policies for ethical decision-making.
- A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to address the needs of unbefriended persons.
Takeaway
Some people can't make decisions for themselves and don't have anyone to help them, which can lead to problems with guardianship. This study looks at how often this happens and what can be done to help.
Methodology
A literature review was performed using electronic databases and hand-selected articles.
Limitations
The study is limited to articles published between 2010 and 2024 and may not cover all relevant literature.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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