When Ilse Barchnitzki woke up from an artificial coma after a serious heart operation, her world had changed. Although the 86-year-old was fighting her way back to her old life bit by bit, someone else was now making decisions for her. During her coma, legal guardianship was ordered because the authorities were unable to locate any relatives. Guardianship with consequences, because from now on Ilse Barchnitzki had to fear for everything that was important to her: her apartment, her car, the right to live independently. Even when she had long since come to, it was clear that there was no turning back: others now had control over her life. Suddenly she was to be placed in a home permanently. And all she wanted more than anything was to go home. Ilse Barchitzki could not resist this, however, because there were doubts about her legal capacity. It was only when attentive neighbors got involved that the tide seemed to turn. Many people were in the same situation as Ilse Barchitzki. In total, over 1.3 million people in Germany are under legal guardianship. The reason can be a mental illness, a mental or physical impairment or dementia. And very few people know what it means to be under legal guardianship. The legal guardian takes care of financial matters, has an overview of the assets, makes decisions on health issues. Decisions that should be made in the best interests of the person concerned - but serious conflicts arise again and again, from which both the person being cared for and the carer suffer. And it also happens that carers abuse their position of power and even commit criminal acts against their carers. In January 2023, a new guardianship law will come into force, which has been a long struggle. The aim should be to strengthen the interests of the cared for, in particular their will should be given greater focus and gateways for criminal activity should be closed. Critics say, however, that the main focus has been on cosmetic paragraphs and that the situation of the cared for will not fundamentally improve in important respects. Because one problem runs like a thread through the issue. There is a lack of money in the system, money for better control of the carers who are allowed and must intervene so deeply in the right of self-determination of those in their care. ???? If you liked this video, give us a like! ______ ???? A film for The Story by Wolfgang Minder. This film was produced in 2023. All statements and facts correspond to the status at that time and have not been updated since then. ______ ???? More documentaries in the ARD Mediathek: https://1.ard.de/yt_doku More documentaries on the topic: ???? Death without relatives: What happens when there is no one left - • Death without relatives: What happens when... ???? When the salary is not enough: Women in crisis - • When the salary is not enough: Women in... ???? Centenarians tell their stories: What makes a long life? - • Centenarians tell us: What does a... ???? Abandoned parents: When children break off contact - • Abandoned parents: When children break off contact... ???? My terminally ill husband - How the brain tumor changes our relationship - • My terminally ill husband - How the brain tumor... ???? Professional carer - Who helps when life gets out of control? - • Professional carer - Who helps when life... ______ #Carer #Age #WDRDoku