RETHINKING ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP

This article describes, compares, and analyzes the roles and functions of guardianship and several decision-making interventions previously identified as potential alternatives to guardianship. An analytical fr amework, comprised of capacity, risk, complexity, and support, is deve loped to assess performance expectations and identify limitations of f our types of decision-making interventions. Using case examples to ill ustrate how the framework applies to practice, the capacity of differe nt types of interventions to address needs and to substitute or divert older adults from guardianship is examined. The article concludes wit h propositions introduced to guide future research.