General Advice details about why do you require legal aid at later age. For more details, visit: www.generaladvice.org!

1. DO YOU REQUIRE LEGAL AID AT LATER AGE?
Last week I went for lunch with my friend in a club. On the next table, four elder persons like us were
sitting. I could hear what they were discussing. One of them was telling his story of his mortgage
home. It was not his mistake. But he had to suffer few sleepless nights. He was facing the loss of his
home due to a mortgage foreclosure sale caused by a tax error made in the County Assessor’s Office.
His brother-in-law suggested him to take the help of an attorney. He helped him to get the error
corrected. But for this, the gentleman had to spare few hundred dollars and scarify his health. I was
wondering why he did not approach elder legal aid to get his problem sorted out.
The Importance of Availing Elder Legal Aid
As you gradually inch towards old-age, certain problems will get accompanied. Our children may not
take care of us. Unfortunately, our life partner might have bid good-bye to start the journey towards
eternity. The expenses will be increasing with no or less income. The situation becomes darker and if
any legal problem crops up then one gets confused. When the problem becomes a bit more serious
it may lead a person to be depressed.
My cousin from Berkeley County in South Carolina narrated to me an incident of a 91- year-old
woman with dementia who was hospitalized for some medical issues. She was diagnosed with
dementia when she was in the hospital and then shifted directly to an assisted living facility, whereas
she should have been admitted to a secure nursing home. After a couple of months, they tried to
discharge her stating that she had “recovered” and she does not require nursing home care. Her
agent under a Power of Attorney received help from an attorney. They appealed the decision of the
nursing home. A review of nursing home records proved the irregularities. The nursing home has to
withdraw the discharge order.
There are many such cases and instances. During old age, one needs support. It may be financial,
medical, or legal. According to data gathered in 2019 by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 54 million
of the population is within the old age category. These numbers are growing rapidly.
About legal aid
The legal aid services can extend important assistance for older persons. They can protect older
persons against dangers to their independence, financial security, and health care. Legal aid provides
legal services to persons in areas of criminal, family, and civil law. Elder legal aid also helps people
who experience domestic and family violence. They provide free services on most legal issues.
1965 Older American Act
The Older American Act (OAA) of 1965 was the first federal-level initiative aimed at providing
comprehensive services for older adults. It created the National Aging Network comprising the
Administration on Aging on the federal level, state level, and local level. The network provides
funding-based primarily on the percentage of an area’s population of 60 and more. The overall goals
of the Older American Act (OAA) are the protection and improvement of autonomy, dignity, financial
security, health, and rights of older Americans.
How elder legal aid can be helpful

2. The elder legal aid assists older persons to solve a variety of legal issues such as:
 Financial issues-misuse of a power of attorney by a caretaker or relative
 Refusal of medical and other public benefits
 To save their homes from foreclosure and home repair scams
 Guardianships
 Preparation of deeds, wills, and other directives
Conclusion
Taking measures like availing elder legal aid is how you can ensure financial and legal security in the
final years of your life. Hold your ground and do not let anyone take advantage of your old age. The
law will always be by your side, provided you know how to claim your legal rights.
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