Elder Law is a specialized legal area comprised of the laws, statutes, regulations and decisions that deal with the needs and issues specific to Senior Citizens. Federal law defines a senior citizen as a person who is 60 years of age and older. Some states follow this guideline and others use the age of 65. This specialized field is relatively new, having gained popularity in the early 2000's. As people's age expectancy has increased, Elder Law has grown in importance.

This field encompasses estate planning (wills, trusts, probate and advance medical directives); disability planning; long-term care insurance; long-term care planning; social security and retirement benefits; Medicaid, Medicare and other healthcare; nursing home issues; age discrimination; guardianship, conservatorship and commitment matters; and various other issues related to the elderly population.

Elder law also covers some aspects of criminal law, including protection against elder abuse; financial abuse of elders; nursing home abuse and neglect; fraud, exploitation and other consumer protection issues. All 50 U.S. states have created legislation that addresses elder abuse and neglect, although the laws vary from state to state. Visit Us at Google+ Copyright HG.org

ABA - Commission on Law and Aging
The mission of the ABA Commission on Law and Aging is to strengthen and secure the legal rights, dignity, autonomy, quality of life, and quality of care of elders. It carries out this mission through research, policy development, technical assistance, advocacy, education, and training.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of age and generally bans mandatory retirement. Covered employers are those engaged in an industry affecting interstate commerce and who employ twenty or more full or part time workers for each working day in each of twenty or more weeks in the current or preceding calendar year. Covered employees are generally those over the age of 40.
Elder Justice Act - Elder Justice Coalition
The Elder Justice Coalition was formally launched on February 10, 2003, to coincide with the introduction of the Elder Justice Act (S. 333), which was introduced by Senators John Breaux and Orrin Hatch.
Elder Law - Definition
Elder law is a legal term coined to cover an area of legal practice that places an emphasis on those issues that affect the growing aging population. There are three major categories that make up elder law: Estate planning and administration, Medicaid, disability and other long-term care issues as well as Guardianship.
http://www.elderlawanswers.com/Default.aspx
Support for seniors, their families and their attorneys in achieving their goals. This site provides the following services: the best information on the Internet about crucial legal issues facing seniors; a network of highly qualified elder law attorneys nationwide, and online practice tools for elder law attorneys.
Elder Rights Protection - Administration on Aging
The Administration on Aging is pleased to provide the following off-site resources to connect older persons, caregivers and professionals to important federal, national, and local programs.
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for retirement and health benefit plans in private industry. ERISA does not require any employer to establish a plan. It only requires that those who establish plans must meet certain minimum standards.
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
The NAELA membership is comprised of attorneys in the private and public sectors who deal with legal issues affecting seniors and people with disabilities. Members also include judges, professors of law, and students.
National Elder Law Foundation
Elder law attorneys may now be certified in this field by the Board of Certification of the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), a non-profit organization founded in 1993, and dedicated to the development and improvement of the professional competence of lawyers in the area of elder law. The purpose of the certification program is to identify those lawyers who have the enhanced knowledge, skills, experience and proficiency to be properly identified to the public as certified elder law attorneys.
National Senior Citizens Law Center
Since 1972, the National Senior Citizens Law Center has worked to promote the independence and well-being of low-income elderly and disabled Americans, especially women, people of color, and other disadvantaged minorities. Because we believe in publicly-funded safety net programs, we work to preserve and strengthen Medicaid, Medicare Part D, Social Security and SSI. To guarantee fair treatment, we work for greater access to federal courts for citizens and for better enforcement of consumer's legal rights in safety net programs.
Older Americans Act
Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965 in response to concern by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older persons. The original legislation established authority for grants to States for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging (AoA) to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the Federal focal point on matters concerning older persons.
Programs for Older Americans - Chapter 35
The Congress hereby finds and declares that, in keeping with the traditional American concept of the inherent dignity of the individual in our democratic society, the older people of our Nation are entitled to, and it is the joint and several duty and responsibility of the governments of the United States, of the several States and their political subdivisions, and of Indian tribes to assist our older people to secure equal opportunity to the full and free enjoyment of the following objectives.
Senate Special Committee on Aging
Throughout its existence, the Special Committee on Aging has served as a focal point in the Senate for discussion and debate on matters relating to older Americans. Often, the Committee will submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Senate. In addition, the Committee publishes materials of assistance to those interested in public policies which relate to the elderly.
Senior Citizens' Resources
As the U.S. government's official web portal, USA.gov makes it easy for the public to get U.S. government information and services on the web. USA.gov also serves as the catalyst for a growing electronic government.
Social Security Act
The Social Security Amendments of 1965 was legislation in the United States whose most important provisions resulted in creation of two programs: Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation initially provided federal health insurance for the elderly (over 65) and for poor families. While President Lyndon B. Johnson was responsible for signing the bill, there were many others involved in drafting the final bill that was introduced to the United States Congress in March 1965.
United States Senate Special Committee on Aging
The Senate Special Committee on Aging was first established in 1961 as a temporary committee. It was granted permanent status on February 1, 1977. While special committees have no legislative authority, they can study issues, conduct oversight of programs, and investigate reports of fraud and waste.

Elder Law - International

AARP International
AARP International aims to help people live longer, healthier, more financially secure and productive lives by identifying the best ideas and practices on key policy issues. We convene international opinion leaders and policy makers to share their expertise and develop research on health and long-term care, livable communities, older workers and retirement income.
Global Action on Aging
GAA carries out research on critical emerging topics and publishes the results on its website. GAA staff and interns research aging policy and programs, both in the US and worldwide: income support, health access, and human rights.
International Federation on Aging
The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is an international non-government organization (NGO) with a membership base of NGOs, the corporate sector, academia, governments and individuals. Founded in 1973, the IFA is a point of connection and a platform for knowledge exchange for those representing the needs and interests of millions of older people across the world.
International Institute on Aging
An autonomous body under the auspices of the United Nations, the Institute holds a number of training courses for persons from developing countries, carries out research projects, hosts conferences and offers consultative services.

Organizations Related to Elder Law

Administration on Aging
For over 35 years, the AoA has provided home and community-based services to millions of older persons through the programs funded under the Older Americans Act. Whether you are an older individual, a caregiver, a community service provider, a researcher, or a student, you will find valuable information provided in a user-friendly way.
Helpage International
HelpAge International has been working since 1983 to improve the lives of disadvantaged older people, through a global network that today spans more than 70 affiliate organisations in 50 countries.
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, Inc., (INPEA)
NPEA is an organization, founded in 1997, which is dedicated to the global dissemination of information as part of its commitment to the world-wide prevention of the abuse of older people.
Leadership Council of Aging Organizations
The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) is a coalition of national nonprofit organizations concerned with the well-being of America's older population and committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena. Recognizing that the strength of the coalition lies in the diversity of its membership, the purpose of the LCAO is to foster communication and resource sharing among its member organizations, to serve as a source of information about issues affecting older persons, to initiate joint advocacy strategies as appropriate, and to provide leadership and vision as America meets the challenges and opportunities presented by its aging society.
National Academy on an Aging Society
As a non-partisan public policy institute, the Academy actively conducts and compiles research on issues related to population aging and provides information to the public, the press, policymakers, and the academic community.
National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA)
The National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) is an association of researchers, practitioners, educators, and advocates dedicated to protecting the safety, security, and dignity of America's most vulnerable citizens. It was established in 1988 to achieve a clearer understanding of abuse and provide direction and leadership to prevent it. The Committee is one of three partners that make up the National Center on Elder Abuse, which is funded by Congress to serve as the nation's clearinghouse on information and materials on abuse and neglect.
National Council on Aging (NCOA)
Founded in 1950, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a nonprofit organization with a national network of more than 14,000 organizations and leaders. Our members include senior centers, area agencies on aging, adult day service centers, faith-based service organizations, senior housing facilities, employment services, consumer groups, and leaders from academia, business, and labor.
National Institute on Aging
NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.
UN Programme on Aging
The UN Programme on Ageing is part of the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). It is the focal point within the United Nations system on matters related to ageing. Its primary action is to facilitate and promote the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, including designing guidelines for policy development and implementation; advocating means to mainstream ageing issues into development agendas; engaging in dialogue with civil society and the private sector; and information exchange.

Publications Related to Elder Law

Aging Today - American Society on Aging
Aging Today, ASA's bimonthly newspaper, covers developments in public policy, research, practice, media and programming in the field of aging. A four-page pullout section, "In Focus," is devoted to in-depth coverage of a single topic.
Elder Law Journal - University of Illinois
The Elder Law Journal is an academic publication published twice annually by the students of the University of Illinois College of Law. The Elder Law Journal is the oldest scholarly publication in the country dedicated to addressing elder law issues. The Elder Law Journal publishes manuscripts that not only address policy decisions, but also serve as guides to attorneys practicing in the field. T

Articles on HG.org Related to Elder Law

Understanding the Veterans Benefits
Understanding Veterans benefits can be difficult. Not only do forms need completed, you must choose a plan. There are also many legal considerations. Find out what information you need for application, what benefit suits your individual needs, and how pension is calculated.
SSA Requiring Benefit Recipients to Go Paperless
Many people within the elder law community are concerned about the future solvency of the Social Security program. Indeed, given the rapid aging of the population there will be an added strain on the system. Exactly how to go about cutting costs is a matter of ongoing debate, but the Social Security Administration has been taking some steps that would seem to be quite logical to most people.
Protecting Your Assets from Expanding Nursing Home Costs
Nursing home costs are rising, which could be detrimental to your financial health should you find yourself in need of nursing home care, or even that of an assisted living community. In fact, the average annual cost for a nursing home is running around $75,000 per person. Having insurance won't be much of a help since most insurance plans do not cover the costs associated with a nursing home.
Study Reveals Dangers of Elderly Loneliness
Seniors who don't have a lot of strong social connections may be putting their health at a significant risk. Researchers have long known that social isolation and feelings of loneliness can contribute to a decline in health in almost anyone, but elderly people are especially susceptible. Now, researchers at the University of California at San Francisco have released the results of a new study, which further demonstrates just how dangerous being alone as a senior can be.
The New Age of Elder Care Law - An Interview with Buckley Fricker, Attorney, Author and Advocate
According to Buckley, her experience working with the elderly has reinforced the idea that as the age of society changes, the challenges will change as well. Compared to other types of law, such as personal injury or criminal law, the legal field pertaining to elder care is still relatively young. This is due to the simple fact that with new medical technologies, diets and lifestyles, the age of society's elderly continues to advance alongside these factors.
It's Your Choice: Plan Now or Pay the Price Later
When you are a younger adult you may well have a difficult time wrapping your head around the concept of aging. It can seem as though retirement planning is something that you really don't have to think about until you are much older. The above is understandable because we all have day-to-day challenges that we must address and it can be hard to think about the future.
Dovetailing Disabled Adult Child Benefits with Supplemental Security Income Benefits
A short window exists for a special needs child who is near age 18 to qualify for SSI by meeting the definition of disability. There is a distinction between SSI and DAC benefits. It is important to consult with an attorney who has expertise in both public benefits and special needs planning as both benefit rates and qualifications can and do change.
When Parents Reach Old Age, Bringing Up Finances Can Be Difficult
As life spans continue to increase and more people are living in extended family environments,many are having to deal with financial issues that affect their elderly parents. In many situations these financial topics can be a taboo subject in the family, especially when the elderly parents have a lot of pride and are reluctant to speak about financial difficulties.
New Study Reveals Deadly Risk of Loneliness
Adding to the increasing mountain of evidence which shows that remaining socially connected and interacting with others is key to maintaining your health as you get older researchers in California have recently revealed the results of a study which showed that seniors who feel lonely are at a significantly higher risk of dying than those who do not.
Elder Financial Abuse
While much effort has gone into bringing public awareness to the prevalence of child abuse over the last few decades, the frequency with which the elderly are also abused is just beginning to come to light. In many ways the elderly can be considered as vulnerable as a child, making them an easy target. The elderly are often victims of physical or emotional abuse; however, unlike children, the elderly are also prime targets for another type of abuse - financial abuse.
All Family Law Articles
Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Family Law including: adoption, alimony, child support and custody, child visitation, collaborative law, divorce, domestic violence, elder law, juvenile crime, juvenile law, juvenile probation, paternity, pre-nuptial agreement, separation.

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