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HomeMy WebLinkAbout97-00155 \'" "'F !l!! " \ -, ,- o',i'~ ~~ ~ .,'. .. o. i ~. : ~{, " , i,Y' ':,,' "f'}~ ,;;\, ' . . II \ LAW OfF1CBS SOFFE & yqFFE, p,C, SUITE 203" 214 SIlNA'1'B AVENUE CAMP HILL. PA \70n (7\ 7) 975-\838 .'~f1""U '~J:Jg ~ , '-'.""';-' ~-t r ~, -", ,':', 'I'" It; " . ~ ) ~ '=1." "l-l ~, j_' ,.~ .. u e; '&,f~ ':, \ . r . . .;. .. , ~ J t~ /iIj' ~. 'I J U<" . ,. ij-"- ';f'-~ ' T, ~ -. - ...' ~~~~ ---- f""- ~ ;-'.......~M.. ~~rn..-...,~. c . ;, ., , 8. Dorothy E. Fry was never in the Military Services and is not receiving benefits from the United States Veterans Administration. 9. The Peti tionsr asks tha t Neighborhood Services of Lancaster, Inc. ~ocated at 100 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 be appointed as limited guardian of the person. 10. petitioner is aSking that the aforesaid be appointed guardian for the purpose of being able to make medical decisions for the alleged incapacitated person if the need in the future should ever arise and for the purpose of making funeral arrangements for the alleged incapacitated person. 11. The proposed Guardian has no interest which is adverse to Dorothy E. Fry. 12. 'l'here are no family members or close friends of Dorothy E. Fry who are available and qualified to serve as guardian. 13. A Power of Attorney would be a less restrictive alternative than the appointment of a guardian, however, Dorothy E. Fry lacks the mental capaci ty necessary to appoint a power of attorney. 14. No Court has ever received juriSdiction in a proceeding to determine whether Dorothy E. Fry is incapacitated. 15. Dorothy E. Fry does not already have a guardian. 16. Because of her impaired mental condit.ion, Dorothy E. Fry lacks the capacity to provide fer her own Qeneral care, maintenance and custody, lacks the capacity to desiQnate for herself a place to live and lacks the capacity to provide on her own behalf required consents or approvals necessary for the well being of her person. 17. Dorothy E. Fry is incapacitated as defined in Chapter 55 of the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code. 18. The proposed guardian, Neighborhood Services of Lancaster, Inc.. is in the business of providing guardianship services and is qualified to serve as guardian. 19. The consent of Neighborhood Services of Lancaster, Inc. to serve as limited guardian of the person is attached hereto as Exhibit "A". 20. The Estate of Dorothy E. Fry consists of assets valued at less than $2,000.00. Dorothy E. Fry receives $413.00 per month in Social Security. 21. In order to establish by way of qualified expert medical testimony the incapacity of Dorothy E. Fry, a deposition of Dr. Donald B. Freedman has been scheduled for March 31, 1997 at 8:00 a.m. in the Sub'.Acute conference room at Blue Ridge Haven Convalescent Center West, 770 poplar Church Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011. .-' ., Go " IN REI IN THE COURT OF COMMON PI,EAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYINANIA ORPHANS' COURT DIVISION DOROTHY E. l"RY, an alle~ed incapacitated person NO. 21-97-155 FINAL ORDER OF COURT APPOINTING GUARDIAN AND NOW, this 5th day of May, 1997, a hearing in this case having been held on May 5, 1997, and it appearing to the Court that Dorothy E. Fry was served with a Citation and Notice of this hearing on February 26, 1997, and was present at the hearing, the Court finds the following from the testimonYI 1. That Dorothy E. Fry suffers from dementia, Such condition partially impairs his capacity to meet essential requirements for her physical health, maintenance and safety. 2. That there are insufficient supports available to asoist Dorothy E. Fry in overcoming such limitations and that there exists no less restrJ,ctive alternative mechanism for decision making than the appointnll~nt of a limited guardian of the person. 3. That based on the incapacity of Dorothy E. Fry to receive and evaluate information and to make or communicate decisions, a limited guardian of the person is required on a permanent basis. NOW, THEREFORE. based 011 the clear and convincing evidence supporting the foreqoing findings, it is ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that Dorothy E. Fry be and is hereby adjudged an incapacitated person and that Neighborhood Services of Lancaster, Inc., is ,appointed limited guardian of the person. '.. 8. Dorotl1Y E. Fry was never in the Mili.tary Services and is not receiving benefits from the United States Veterans Administration. 9. The Pet! tioner asks tha t Neighborhood Se:!:'vices of Lancaster, Inc. located at 100 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 be appointed as limited guardian of the person. 10. Petitioner is asking that the aforesaid be appointed guardian for the purpose of being able to make medical decisions for the alleged incapacitated personlf the need in the future should ever arise and for the purpose of making funeral arrangements for the alleged incapacitated person. 11. The proposed Guardian has no interest which is adverse to Dorothy E. Fry. 12. There are no family members or close friends of Dorothy E. Fry who are available and qualified to serve as guardian. 13. A Power of Attorney would be a less restrictive alternative than the appointment of a guardian, however, Dorothy E. Fry lacks the mental capacity necessary to appoint a power of attorney. 14. No Court has ever recoi ved jurisdiction in a proceeding to 'detennine whether Dorothy E. Fry is incapacitated. 15. Dorothy E. Fry does not already have a guardian. 16. Because of her Impaired mental condItion, Dorothy E. Fry lacks the capacity to provide for her own general care, maintenance and custody, lacks the capacIty to designate for herself a place to live and lacks the capacity to provide on her own behalf required consents or approvals necessary for the well being of her person. 17. Dorothy E. Fry is incapacitated as defined in Chapter 55 of the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code. 18. The proposed guardian, Neighborhood Services of IJancaster, Inc., is in the business of providing guardianship services and is qualified to serve as guardian. 19. The consent of Neighborhood Services of Lancaster, Inc. to serve as limited guardian of the person ia attached hereto as Exhibit "A". 20. The Estate of Dorothy E. Fry consists of assets valued at less than $2.000.00. Dorothy E. Fry receives $413.00 per month in Social Security. 21. In order to establish by way of qualified expert medical testimony the incapacity of Dorothy E. Fry, a deposition of Dr. Donald B. Freedman has been scheduled for March 31, 1997 at 8:00 a.m. in the Sub-Acute conference room at Blue Ridge Haven Convalescent Center west, 770 poplar Church Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 . c~ DO\'tQTHY E 0 FRY, an alleQed incapaoitated person I IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS 1 OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, I PENNSYLVANIA 1 1 ORPHANS' COURT DIVISION .1 I NO. 21.97-155 IN REI PROOF OF SERVICE The undersigned oertifies that on the 5th day of May 1997 she BI!lrved and read to the above captioned incapacitated person the Guardianship Order. which was entered by the Court in this matter on May 5, 1997. . Blue Ridge Haven Convalescent Cent.er West ~/ 5.~iWlJfTjru l. !\my erns te in Social Worker 6sl<,) ~~ \0 '0:0 , ; ~ ....., ~-,. (~J , 'j, </-, $i~ ~ I' ... l.oJ .." ... :;) '1~ (Ii () , -, , .... , 1 ~ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 lO 11 12 0 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ~--J 25 3l MR. YOF'FEI Dr. Freedman, this is the time and place set for a deposition in reference to Dorothy E. Fry who allegedly is an incapacitated person. DONALD B. FREEDMAN, M.D., called as a witness, being duly sworn, testified as follows: EXAMINATION BY MR. YOFFEI Q Dr. Freedman, for the record can you state your full name, please? A Donald B. Freedman, F-R-E-E-D-M-A-N. Q Dr. Freedman, what is your office address? A My office address is 890 Poplar Church Road and that's the Medical Arts Building in Camp Hill. Q Where did you go to medical school? A University of Pennsylvania. Q What year did you graduate? A 1948. Q Did you do an internship after medical school? A Internship at the Harrisburg Hospital. Q D.td you do a residency after your internship? A I started at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine in 1949 and '50 and in their ~ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 diagnoals as to her mental condition? A Yes. This lady has cerebral arterioBclerosls that's caused a paralysis of her left arm and leg and complete motor aphasia. It is an inability to speak. Q The cerebral arteriosclerosis, is that causing damage to her brain? A It's caused a significant amount of dementia. 8 Q So would it be fair to say that Ms. Fry has 9 dementia as well as an inability to speak? c> 10 1.1 l2 l3 J.4 15 16 17 18 19 20 2l 22 23 24 25 ~-) A Yes. Q So, Dr. Freedman, it is possible for a person not to be able to speak but suffer from no dementia at all? A Absolutely. Q But here you're saying that both exist? A Yes. Q Were attempts made to communicate with Ms. Fry other than by speaking with her? A No. Q If Ms. Fry did not suffer from dementia in addition to her inability to speak, would It be fair to say that she could write you a note in response to your verbal questioning? A That's true. Q Okay. In your opinion, Dr. Freedman, what is the capacity of Ms. Fry's short-term memory? 1 ~ 2 (''''''c) 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 lO 1l l2 13 14 15 l6 l7 l8 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 \",) ._~.~-_._---_.__.._.~_.._..~-_.__.~-~_.---~-----~~ B She requires help feuding and other daily activltles. And beca~se of this observation and her answers to questions on two occasions, I'd say that she's only moderately demented. Q Would it be fair to say moderate dementia is more severe than slight dementia? A Yes. Q In your opinion, Dr. Freedman, can Dorothy Fry make medical decisions on her own behalf based on rational and logical thought processes? A No. Q In your opinion, Dr. Freedman, can Dorothy Fry make decisions concerning her own health and safety based on rational and logical thought processes? A No. Q Can Dorothy Fry adequately make her own funeral arrangements? A No. Q Do you have an opinion, Dr. Freedman, as to whether a guardian should be appointed for Dorothy Fry? A Yes, 1 do have an opinion. Q And what is that opinion? A I think she should have a guardian. Q And why do you have that opinion? A Because of her inability to comprehend, her 1 "'" 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2l 22 23 24 ) > '"->~ 25 11 COUNTY OF DAUPHIN ss COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA I, Sherri A. Reitano, Notary Public, authorized to administer oaths within and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and take depositions in the trial of causes, do hereby certify that the f.oregoing is the testimony of DONALD B. FREEDMAN, M.D. I further certify that before the taking of said depositions, the witness was duly sworn; that the questions and answers were taken down stenographically by the said Sherri A. Reitano, Notary Public, approved and agreed to, and afterwards reduced to typewritlng under the dIrection of the said Reporter. I further certify that the proceedings and evidence are contained fully accurately in the notes taken by me on the within depositions, and this copy is a correct transcript of the same. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my hand this l5th day of April, 1997. " YL~ II i i( l{~!c" Sherri A. Reitano Notary Public My commission expires on August 28, 1999. I' NoWlal S..I 1 Shorrl A Hnltollo, Notary Publlo Hamt;ll\Jfg, D llJrhln County \ t._~y ~~~,~,~:I.~O!l Aug. 28, 199~ 1.1.!lliOOI', PennsyMllliOfI.sso:jatklr\ ~ NotariOS ..., .-. Itr~ c. Thc incapacitated person has been living tlwre s1l1ce ____~l..~l'!c..,:~;;..L.(l... If the incapacitated pcrsonl11('vcd withinlhc pasl year, stnle ti'olll where and the rcason for the chllnge ~.._..~!!.c1l.._2Lf;.t.__d:(..!L,IL:L.i.L_, ,._____..__._...._... ____________.._ _._ b. d~I-;t;t; , , It ,'/ (l. V /) .' , .. . f. Please provide II brief description of the incapacitated person's living lll1'UngC1l1cnt!; and the social, medical, psychological and other suppot1 s.erviccs he/she is receiving: ____.__,..__._.__ , . 1" A.,.. M7'lI . 1/./ ~l 1"1 (' A;L{.!.. . .<1.' ).", /",.1( .Jf(/ .t~ ~-'-;w,.;d"...:' <'.f'( .2^fAJ d ~.!,~( yo ~71 /)11 .I'll' /J.i!.L.r.J .) " . (I .' 1.:&.:.a....: l,~ " d.:...f!...ll.L-t ,<<1.1;4f ..1ii ..:.'" /}1~' </-"-:1L1..tUIIcl,lf' [; g. I rate his/her living arTUnge1l1ent at: ./f{. lJ4 17.u'( ,,(, V"/f j.> (L'r' {/ ~'.(:f''i:t'(.., .r _ Excellent_ Above Average -4- Average __, Below Average Explain: ...,.kt~LJ~'..L. -.:.~ j(, 0:1.4/"'-"'1/ ,t.,e~.!-;;rtl:1[1)(Z.~t.Lld.:/<6 )1.\;~A;t ,:/ c!."I-~/!/t~(/;H(f^U;/ )''lJNA.ii~-''<,4/J.I-(' "dI.A.,d"U(;:j /\L>l..(u',,'" ('''I :1.t! "L'fr ( oJ ufT"'.rq. h. I believe he/she is: J L content with the living situation unhappy with the living situation unaware of the living situation Physical health: a. Cunent physical condition of the incapacitated person is: Excellent J- Good Fair Poor His/her major physical health probleJTlS are as follows: (!..vl) '~'7.C;( ('vU~{.L<U,1 ,,~"x:1..e<.~.""(...-U!-.t~<2H(:4 44{~LI..(f".{,;;J ,.1 j-"7r. 0 I T""'"I ./ (! ,f;U{J)./f {J.,1:J 5. c. During the past year, his/her physical condition has: -4- remained the same _ improved. Explain: worsened. Explain: d. During the past year', he/she received the following medical treatment (include check-ups and dental work): Thili< Ailment Tvpe of Treatment QQctor's Name 2 . . . , " . I certify under the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. fi 4904 (relating to Wlswom falsification to authorities) that the infonnation contained in this report is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, infonnation and "eHef DATE: ;/-..1t'J -4/ Signature of the Guardian of the Persqn Name~~:6~Ab Phone: (home) Address" . (work) 7/ 7 ~7ftf' - J.:2.dr L.,.N:A!S~ /!A./?~-/~1 . , ','.j , , . . if -,'~',~.' e. The incapacitated person has been living there .~ ..; '5 C' c .' sroce _Il c. 0, I ( f W.___ lfthe incapacitated person moved within the past year, state fi'om where and e reason for the change f. Please provide a brief description of the incapacitated person's living arrangements and the social, medical, ps~chological and other support services he/she is receiving. /I }l;cl l-..JJan~ tLJ_ ~l'(-t~.) J20{J)!.~ . flu t<'bdd-l rJ)Z~. r.U;'J 1#----- ~ J..fiJ....'l.f2(/ l.J!.tl .J.!2/1.0. if (/ g"Ji" I rate his/he living arrangement at: / Excellent Above Average _ Average Below Average Explain: h. I believe he/she is: ~ content with the living situation unhappy with the living situation unaware 0 f the living situation 5. Physical health: a. Current physical condition of the incapacitated person is: Excellent L Good Fair Poor b His/her major physical health problems are as follows: r;lhYU#';"). ('VA (j) iti .I (If;UO.-?1;;J ,J.f./:J/infl c!d../~:wlgJ>~/.t~~l~ /I-5CtlD . ,. 0 , c. During the past year, his/her physical condition has: JL- remained the same improved. Explain: worsened. Explain: d. During the past year, he/she received the following medical treatment (include check-ups and dental work): ~ Ailment ~J.j)O ~ f4zzbJd,..- 'I J,.{Cf J D,;J- rf,:?o/O.:L If J"jld/O..... , Ii/.! I /0.11- w/,.>%fL .I1.R I'> !<-:..."? Tvoe of Treatment fiJl1 ')('1/1.) &diP-. eL cJ.~=f---' -t{),.:.:b.. ~~ u.p r M ,,),;..f J.'l~,d..,' t.,Y' (iJiJnl/" d"!&.L~ ])1.,. V, jl f'iA.A.-!.,d.!..f.J.c.-./f 11/'IL- rei ,vf"F-~..J- ,.[t.( j. <--/" pel ,be, {1u/1w..u.}:J...jl Doctor's Name J t!uIJK~ Ilt ((;., (te. _- ~1Y'h/((JL A- Ii<~ .(~ J" ~~k~___ tIk !u.H<- --'- / Ii ...~ - ,_.' --1 I ~, iN TIll' ccn IIn OJ COMf\1ON 1'1 !-AS (1I ~btJ/2wd. COlINTY, !'FNNSYLV ANIA O]{I'JiANS' ('0\ II\.I DIVISION IN RE: Q~~~__, an incapacitall,d pcrson FILE N<li2LC}Z.g$6-- GUAlWIAN OF PERSON ANNUAL REPORT [20 Pa. C.SA 5521 (c)] FROf\~3fJ200.i T(~~ 2005- I. I am the _~imi1ed __ Plenary Guardian of the 'erson of my ward, named above. 2. ~inted Guardian by Order of the Court dated ?which ~ was . 'as no nodified by Court Order(s) dated _. : ,C) ,., I 3. Is the incapacitated person stillliving?~_~____ . ," " Ifno, answer the following: 'i'! I I.() (a) Date of Death? ____ ,',' (b) Place ofDeath? ..; . . , (c) Name of Administrator or Executor?~~;..r,..; (d) Date Guardian of111e Person filed the last Annual Report? -'-~~ 4. If the incapacitated person is still living, answer the following questions: (a) Date Guardian ofthe Person filed the last Annual Report?~S~o~'y _ B)~nt address of 1e incap~i te p rson . o .~ (c) Current age __.__ Datc of birth of incapacitated person 10/ 'f) / 7d $/_ (d) The incapacitated person's residence is: Ward's own residence _ My home/apartment _ <--Nursing Home Relative's Home __ Hospital or Medical Facility ._ Boarding Home (e) The incapacitated person has been living there sinc;hIl~;3D--I-/99 ~__ If moved within the past year, state from where ~nd'tf;e reason for the change ___~9~ . - .----=-_=~