Elder Law

What is “Elder Law?”
The subject of “elder law” is quite broad. Areas and issues relating to older people cross over into other legal specialties. The topics can range from estate planning and end-of-life documents to home care providers and nursing home information. Other areas of legal interest may include special needs trusts, guardianships, health issues regarding elders, housing needs relating to elders, and agencies that offer direct services to elders. As the population gets older, many of us are confronted with issues and concerns we are unfamiliar with. We hope that by learning, sharing and openly discussing the needs and legal rights of elders we can better understand what is store for our future, our families, our lives. Through research, policy development, technical assistance, advocacy, education, and training we can assure the dignity, autonomy, quality of life, and quality of care of elders.

Have questions? You can email Lisa Shapiro at LisaShapiro@rcn.com.
We welcome suggestions for future Elder Law seminar topics, locations to hold them and member input.

Useful Websites to Elder Law related areas:
http://www.health-ed.com/
http://www.geront.umb.edu/
http://www.mass.gov/portal/
http://www.heller.brandeis.edu/national
http://www.caregiver.org/

http://www.alzmass.org/
Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts. Alzheimer’s disease (pronounced AHLZ-hi-merz) is a disorder that destroys cells in the brain. The disease is the leading cause of dementia, a condition that involves gradual memory loss, decline in the ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation, difficulty in learning, loss of language skills, impairment of judgment, and personality changes.

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/elder.html
Massachusetts Law About Elders’ Issues

http://www.state.ma.us/dma/masshealthinfo/over65/over65_IDX.htm
Information for Seniors Needing Long Term Care Services

http://www.dce.harvard.edu/hilr/
Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement (HILR)

http://www.heller.brandeis.edu/national/ind.html
National Center on Women and Aging (through the Heller School at Brandeis University)

http://www.elderlawanswers.com/
Elder Law – Legal Information: Answers and Attorneys

http://www.state.ma.us/dph/fch/elderhealth/index.htm
The Office of Elder Health (OEH) of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health fosters healthy aging for the Commonwealth’s population by planning, advocating, coordinating and administering programs and policies that assure access to quality health care and enhance opportunities for older people to learn about and take responsibility for their own health.

http://www.caregiving.com/
Caring for an Aging Relative – Website for Support and Resources

http://public.findlaw.com/healthcare/life_events/le23_7tips.html
Patients’ Rights, Health Care, and Legal Information

http://consumer.checkbook.org/
Consumer Information and Guide to Healthcare

http://www.elderweb.com
The on-line eldercare resource guide

http://www.eldercare.gov
A way to find Senior Care for Elders and more

http://www.nfcacares.org
National Family Caregivers Association – Caregiving Resources

http://www.medicare.gov
U.S. Government Site for People on Medicare

http://www.caremanager.org
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

http://www.carescout.com
A website to search and compare nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health and hospice agencies; Obtain discounts on eldercare. Talk to an eldercare expert for advice.