The aim of this paper is to define the guidelines for the preparation of reports on protective service needs of the (impaired) elderly living in the community. Such guidelines are of special importance both because they have not been set down in detail, and because of recent moves to establish adult guardianship legislation in various jurisdictions. Three major areas are addressed in detail: a) the definition of an adequate assessment; b) the essential components of each report; and c) who should have responsibility for the assessment process. Medico-legal issues of guardianship are reviewed.
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