Acts That Make An Impact

Guardianship Division for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

Being a guardianship worker in the Guardianship Division/Intellectual Disabilities is challenging but also fulfilling. Our guardianship workers are responsible for ensuring that each person on their caseload receives the support and services that will give them the best quality of life possible. Sometimes, this includes accompanying an individual on their final journey in life. In September, Catholic Charities ND was appointed emergency guardian by the court for Anna, an 88-year-old woman with mild intellectual disabilities. She was in the hospital and no longer able to make and communicate decisions. Anna had been living in a nursing home and had no family. She was experiencing significant cardiac and pulmonary issues.



As soon as we were appointed emergency guardian, our guardianship worker went to the hospital and introduced herself to Anna. She also met with her doctors to get a handle on Anna’s medical condition. Our guardianship worker also contacted the nursing home and Anna’s Developmental Disabilities Program Manager to gather more information on Anna’s medical needs as well as some history about Anna’s life and who Anna was as a person and what was important to her.

Because Anna had no family, our guardianship worker visited Anna at the hospital at least twice a day as she was very anxious and lonely. After a few days, it became apparent that aggressive medical treatment was no longer helping Anna. After much thought and discussion with her doctors, our guardianship worker made the difficult decision to put in place a do not resuscitate order if Anna’s heart or breathing stopped. Anna remained in the hospital 10 more days until she peacefully passed away. Our guardianship worker continued to sit with Anna several times each day and comfort her during this time. She was with Anna when she passed away as she did not want her to be alone.



This is just one example of the compassionate and dedicated work of our staff. Anna was a stranger to our guardianship worker when we were appointed guardian by the court and during the last three weeks of her life, our guardianship worker worked tirelessly to provide Anna with quality guardianship services but more importantly, the human connection that Anna needed on her final journey.

Donna Byzewski, Director of Guardianship Division: Intellectual Disabilities