KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Probate Judges from both Kent and Ottawa Counties are reminding everyone that they may need to file for temporary guardianship to have their loved ones vaccinated if they are incapacitated and living in a nursing home.
As vaccines continue to be rolled out across the state, seniors at living facilities are expected be some of the next in line. But if residents within the facilities are not able to give consent themselves to be vaccinated, it can present a major issue.
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The responsibility then falls to their loved ones, who may have to file with their county Probate Court to get temporary guardianship of their relative, and provide consent for them to receive the vaccine.
“That's why the probate court is trying to encourage family members to make sure either that there is paperwork in place to receive the vaccination," said Judge David M. Murkowski, Chief Probate Judge in Kent County.
"The family member who is in a nursing home or long-term care facility can sign for themselves if they have that ability, or to approach the Probate Court for a guardianship.”
The Judges advised facilities to set aside a list of all those residents who need a third-party consent, to ease the process of getting folks vaccinated.
Judge Mark A. Feyen, Chief Probate Judge in Ottawa County told FOX 17 Monday, “We're not anticipating that we're going to have a rush of guardianship petitions filed but we if there are some that needs to be filed, we're encouraging people that run these facilities to get them filed as soon as possible, so that a guardian can be in place when the vaccine comes through.”
You can contact staff at Kent County's Probate Court HERE.
You can contact staff at Ottawa County's Probate Court HERE.
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