Older & Wiser
Neighborhood Legal Services Association - 060016
Abstract Number: 060016
May 2006
Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLSA) launched the Older & Wiser Project to deliver legal information seminars to senior citizens through a collaborative effort between state legislators, private attorneys, and NLSA. NLSA hosted an information session in June 2003 in the State Capital Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to publicize the program to legislators and to see if they would be interested in participating in the program. To participate in Older & Wiser©, NLSA requires legislators to agree to provide an accessible location and advertise the events in their districts. NLSA asks legislators to sign a letter of understanding which outlines the parameters of the Older & Wiser program and prohibits the legislator from using the presentation as a campaign device. Co-sponsoring legislators are advised that no Older & Wiser © seminars can be scheduled if the co-sponsoring legislator is involved in an election campaign and that there is a specific blackout period before the election. NLSA has developed posters and news releases that they provide to the legislators. An official kickoff event was held in the State Capital Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in October 2003 which was attended by several legislators and state officials. After the "kickoff" event, approximately 25 legislators expressed interest in participating in the program, and Older & Wiser © continues to attract the attention of Pennsylvania legislators.
NLSA recruits private attorneys to volunteer as presenters to conduct the actual seminar presentations. The majority of the attorneys are recruited from the Alleghany County Bar Association's Elder Law Committee and Probate and Trust Law Section. NLSA developed PowerPoint presentations and handouts on substantive areas that impact older adults, caregivers, and families and provides these to the presenters. Some of the private volunteer attorneys assisted with the PowerPoint and informational materials, and the PowerPoint presentations and take away materials on two of the topics were prepared completely by private volunteer attorneys. NLSA also provides all the equipment that is required such as computers, projectors, and the actual materials and handouts. The attorneys explain the substantive topics and answer any questions from the participants. NLSA specifically tailored this program around elder law issues due to the high volume of questions both NLSA and legislators receive on elder law topics. NLSA has organized presentations on the following topics:
- Protection through Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
- Dealing Effectively with a Healthcare Facility
- Guarding Against Senior Fraud
- Understanding Retirement Benefits
- Learning about Last Wills and Living Trusts
- Avoiding Missteps in Medicare and Medicaid
Since its launch in 2003, Laurel Legal Services, Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, and Northwestern Legal Services replicated Older & Wiser© in their service areas in western Pennsylvania. Legal Aid of Southeast Pennsylvania has also replicated Older and Wiser in its service area. To learn more, visit the website below.
Contact Information:
Joe Olimpi
Neighborhood Legal Services Association
266 Franklin Avenue
Aliquippa, PA 15001
Phone: (724) 378-0595
Fax: (724) 378-9795
Email
Additional Information:
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