I don't know about other states, but in california conservatorship doesn't necessarily mean long-term locked commitment, though that's one of the uses for it. In general it means a court rules that someone is not able to make decisions for themselves in the area of mental health treatment, and a surrogate decision maker is appointed (usually a county employee). That only allows the surrogate to give permission for psychiatric hospitalization and treatment. Other decisions, such as medical treatment, must be voluntary or go through a completely separate court proceeding.