Currently, around 6,500 people have court-appointed adult representation through the VertretungsNetz platform. "Aggressive incidents" with represented individuals are rare, the association stated on Wednesday.

"It is not unusual for someone who is appointed an adult representative to initially disagree with the associated loss of autonomy, for example over their own finances," a spokesperson for the association told APA. This can lead to feelings of anger and helplessness. It is important for adult representatives to be aware of this and to strive for a good relationship with the represented person. This requires regular personal contact. Additionally, the wishes and needs of the represented person must be determined, and they should be allowed to participate in decisions as much as possible. Well-represented individuals can then experience their adult representation as support.

"Isolated" Aggressive Incidents

The VertretungsNetz association advocates for the protection of the fundamental rights of people with mental illness or intellectual disabilities and supports them. In half of the cases, the support relationship is voluntary. "Aggressive incidents have also occasionally occurred at our locations, but they are exceptions," the association stated. There are specific safety standards and training in de-escalating behaviors for potential conflict situations.

Since the 2nd Adult Protection Act came into effect in 2018, people with adult representation generally remain legally competent. According to the law, adult representatives have been obliged to ensure, "as far as possible," that represented individuals receive their own bank account. This has the advantage that they can independently withdraw money for everyday transactions. "No one should be dependent on cash payouts like a supplicant as in the past. The unfortunately still frequently used term 'pocket money' expresses it: adults with disabilities are treated like children. Of course, no one wants that," explained a VertretungsNetz spokesperson.

Everyday Account No Longer Makes Represented Individuals Supplicants

As a rule, a so-called everyday account is set up for the represented person - an account with a debit card but without an overdraft facility. Recurring amounts are transferred to this account by the adult representation, which the represented person can freely dispose of. By now, all Austrian banks have such an account model in their portfolio. "Cash payouts at our locations are now the absolute exception," emphasized the VertretungsNetz spokesperson.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.