What is the primary responsibility of a conservator in the context of end-of-life care?

The primary responsibility of a conservator in the context of end-of-life care is to protect the income and assets of the conservatee. This role is centered on ensuring that the conservatee's financial well-being is maintained, particularly during a vulnerable time when important decisions regarding care and assets are made.

A conservator is entrusted with managing the financial affairs and property of someone who is unable to do so themselves due to incapacity. This includes ensuring that any available resources are allocated towards necessary care and expenses while preserving the conservatee's assets for their benefit and possibly for their heirs.

In this context, choices related to enhancing the conservatee’s financial situation or providing experimental treatments do not align with the primary fiduciary responsibilities placed on a conservator. Experimental treatments, for example, pertain to medical decision-making that may fall outside the conservator's scope unless specified in the conservatorship agreement. Similarly, while some aspects of financial management may enhance the overall situation, the core duty remains focused on protection and stewardship of existing resources. The role of a physician, which indicates clinical practice, does not fall under the purview of a conservator's responsibilities, reinforcing that the conservator's main function is financial oversight rather than providing medical care directly.