When a person cannot care for themselves, family or friends may step in to help. However, many people have no one to take over their affairs. In Idaho, a county board can step in when that happens. 

The Boundary County Board of Community Guardians, established in 1993, is a volunteer board of six people who assist individuals who need a guardian or conservator. 

“The board of guardians is considered the last resort,” Gini Woodward, chair of the Boundary County Board of Community Guardians, said. “We don't just step in and do that normally. We have to prove and show that there is not anybody else that will do this for them.” 

The Idaho Supreme Court defines guardianship as a person appointed by a court or through a will who has responsibilities similar to those of a parent over another individual. 

When a guardianship is established, the ability to make certain decisions — including financial decisions — may be removed from the individual and given to the guardian. 

A conservator, according to the Idaho Supreme Court, is a person appointed by a court or through a will to manage the estate and finances of a protected person.

While the Boundary County board operates collectively, one member takes primary responsibility for each case. 

“I’m the guardian and conservator for three people right now,” Woodward said. “The situations are all complicated and very different.” 

In her work, Woodward has encountered unusual cases. 

“This one woman this last year — you know what the most important thing for her was?” Woodward said. “That she’d get to visit her 15-year-old chihuahua. So now I’m fostering a 15-year-old chihuahua.” 

Though Woodward values her work on the board, she said she feels a responsibility to serve. 

“Here’s the way I feel: Somebody’s got to do it,” Woodward said. “If they don’t, you’ve got someone in a really bad situation. It’s a community service.” 

Woodward said she has seen an increase in people needing guardians or conservators since joining the board about 13 years ago.

“A big change is we have so many people coming into our county,” Woodward said. “A lot of them are retirement age, and they don’t bring their families with them.” 

“It’s a community need,” she said. 

Woodward said local agencies often have limited authority, making the board’s role more important. 

“I think about one case of somebody who had dementia and was wandering around town,” Woodward said. “The police couldn’t do anything. I see it happen repeatedly — different agencies play hot potato.” 

The issue is personal for Woodward, who said her involvement began with her own experience.

“I’m a guardian and conservator for a family member, and I saw the inadequacies,” Woodward said. “I’ve done it for a long time, and I know how important it is.” 

Many people are initially wary or resistant because their lives are being significantly changed. 

“I try to keep a good relationship with people, but they don’t like me at first,” Woodward said. “It’s about building trust. They think, ‘Why are my rights being taken away?’ It’s a fine line.” 

She said relationships often improve over time. 

“They can hate me for a while, but you find a crack of light someplace and stay positive,” Woodward said. 

“I'm glad I'm doing it because I learn so much,” Woodward said. “I'm glad that I can still do it at my age, but it's important for the longevity of this board because over the years it's fallen apart multiple times and then they have to get it restarted.” 

The board has the option to decline cases but has not done so. 

“We find a way,” Woodward said. “Because it is a small town, we work together. The commissioners support that.” 

Recently, the Idaho Legislature passed a bill updating sections of Idaho Code related to guardianship and conservatorship after five years of study by legal experts and community groups. 

The bill passed unanimously, with five members absent, and clarifies statutes while preserving policies that are working well. 

The board is currently seeking additional members. 

“We need people with administrative experience, especially those familiar with Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security,” Woodward said.