How can I protect my parent’s autonomy with their safety?

Balancing your parent’s need for independence with the need to keep them safe can be a very big challenge.  How to approach this issue truly depends on the issues each family faces.  In many cases, if a conservatorship is necessary or anticipated, the probability of losing independence can be overwhelming or disconcerting.  Conservatorships should never be sought simply because a parent makes a decision that you do not understand or agree with. A conservatorship should not be sought based only on a particular disability or medical diagnosis.