Developing Supported Decision Making for Older Adults
By admin
As New York’s population ages, more older adults face complex decisions about health, finances, and daily life—often amid cognitive change. Too often, guardianship is used as a default solution, even when less restrictive options may be appropriate. This new publication from Project Guardianship and its partners explores the potential of Supported Decision-Making (SDM) as an alternative framework for older adults. Drawing on a global environmental scan and direct engagement with nearly 100 older adults, the report finds that decision-making is deeply relational, values-driven, and shaped by trust, independence, and lived context. It concludes that effective support must be ongoing and embedded in trusted relationships—not a one-time intervention—and outlines next steps for integrating SDM into programs that are equitable, sustainable, and responsive to older adults’ evolving needs.