December 17, 2025
In October, Wellspring and Consultants on Disability announced our new collaboration, Complex Guardianship Support. Our combined team provides crucial support for both the most vulnerable individuals and the legal community.
We’d like to introduce you to our team and their roles and expertise.
Our Medical Director, Steven C. Fox, D.O., brings a rare blend of geriatric expertise, home-based care experience, and advanced decisional capacity evaluation skills—positioning him as an essential leader in complex guardianship support.
Core Expertise Areas
Geriatrics and multi‑morbidity care. Deep experience supporting older adults with dementia, frailty, and layered medical conditions—bringing nuanced insight into how health, function, and cognition intersect.
Home‑based care specialist. Years of providing care directly in homes and community settings ensures an authentic understanding of safety risks, functional realities, and the least‑restrictive care options.
Advanced decisional capacity evaluation. Highly skilled in evaluating medical, financial, and personal decision‑making capacity; delivers clear, defensible assessments essential for guardianship and court processes.
Medical expert witness. Translates complex medical findings into concise, accessible testimony for courts, attorneys, and protective agencies.
Complex care plan development. Expert at designing integrated, multidisciplinary care plans for individuals with significant medical, cognitive, behavioral, and social needs.
Value to Guardianship Programs
- Strengthens decision‑making with comprehensive clinical assessments.
- Identifies capacity issues early with accuracy and clarity.
- Provides court‑ready documentation and expert recommendations.
- Coordinates seamlessly with medical teams, legal partners, and community agencies.
- Helps reduce hospitalization risk and prevent crises.
- Promotes autonomy and safety through least‑restrictive solutions.
Service model
The Complex Guardianship Support team provides our support on a fee-for-service basis, which allows us to offer the dedicated time, expertise, and continuity that complex situations deserve. This model helps us remain independent, responsive, and focused entirely on the needs of the individuals and families we serve.
We also recognize that financial circumstances vary. Our team is committed to treating every person with dignity and respect, and we gladly assist in identifying community resources or funding options for those who may need additional support. Our mission is to make high-quality guidance accessible, compassionate, and person-centered.
For more information, please email Sheila McMackin, MSW, LCSW, founder of Wellspring Personal Care, or call (312) 648-1565.