Unbefriended Elders: Matching Values with Decisions Project

Location: Volunteers of America-Minnesota Senior Services, 2021 E. Hennepin Ave., Suite #200, Minneapolis, MN  55413

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Participants are: Individuals age 65 and up, who live in Ramsey or Washington counties (see additional eligibility criteria under "Referral Criteria" below.)

Fees: This project was initiated, in part, by a Community Service/Community Services Development grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and is currently supported by a grant from the Stevens Square Foundation. There are no fees for participating in this project.

Contact: Mary Bornong, LISW
Phone: 612-617-7815
Email: mbornong@voamn.org

Volunteers of America-Minnesota’s Unbefriended Elders: Matching Values with Decisions Project supports the rights and choices of unbefriended elders/adult orphans who are at risk of incapacity.  The project is aimed at proactive involvement with these seniors prior to incapacitation or a medical crisis. For the purpose of this project, an unbefriended elder (also called an adult orphan) is an older adult with no identifiable family or friends to assist in medical decision-making. Due to lack of a family member or friend to serve as a surrogate decision-maker, when an unbefriended elder/adult orphan experiences a medical crisis or develops cognitive impairment and is unable to state their wishes regarding care, they are at risk of: Medical treatment that is not consistent with their values and preferences; Over or under treatment when admitted to medical or care settings; Unnecessary guardianship. Through this project, Volunteers of America-Minnesota will support unbefriended elders/adult orphans through intensive work with participants.  Project activities include: Locating family members who have lost touch and seek reconnection; Facilitating communication between participants and their primary care physicians/practitioners to ensure medical wishes are known, discussed and documented; Working with the participant to identify a surrogate decision-maker when possible; Facilitating and distributing completed Heath Care Directives to health care and other professionals. Referral Criteria: To be eligible for the project, individuals must meet all of the following criteria: Must live in Ramsey or Washington County; Must be age 65 or more; Must have no emergency contact/responsible party known. To be eligible for the project, individuals must meet one or more of the following criteria: No written Health Care Directive; No verbal health care instructions; At risk of guardianship. This project is supported, in part, by a Community Service/Community Services Development grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and a grant from the Stevens Square Foundation.  There are no fees for participating in this project.