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Addressing the Growing Need for Elder Law Attorneys

published May 04, 2023

By Author - LawCrossing
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( 2 votes, average: 4.4 out of 5)
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Addressing the Growing Need for Elder Law Attorneys

The Growing Need for Elder Law Attorneys in the United States


In recent years, elder law has become an important issue related to access to justice. The U.S. has a growing number of elderly citizens who require legal assistance. Yet, very few lawyers have specialized training to cater to their needs, and only a few are willing to serve those who cannot afford to pay. Multiple organizations are working to address this problem, such as Equal Justice Works, which offers an elder law fellowship to train lawyers for public service. Lawyers like Megan Wood, a Prairie State Legal Services staff attorney, have gained access to specialized elder law training through this program. Other organizations have taken creative approaches to offer legal services, such as providing them in hospitals or through legal hotlines for elders. Despite these efforts, the demand for elder care is still significant, and there need to be more elder law attorneys to meet the needs of all those who require assistance. Many lawyers in this area of law are overwhelmed and exhausted, and there is a growing awareness that more needs to be done to support them and those they serve.

Limited Availability of Elder Law Attorneys and Legal Services for Low-Income Seniors

The growing number of seniors in the United States creates a high demand for legal services, particularly for low-income or impoverished people. According to the Administration on Aging, the population of seniors aged 65 or older is expected to rise to 22% by 2040. However, the number of elder law attorneys available to help them is limited, with only about 5,500 members in the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Additionally, many seniors cannot afford legal fees, with an estimated 5 million living in poverty and another 2.6 million classified as "near-poor." Despite facing legal problems, many seniors do not seek help, with a Legal Services Corporation study finding that seniors did not receive assistance for 91% of substantial legal issues. Private elder law attorneys may charge hundreds of dollars per hour, making legal services unaffordable for middle-income people. As a result, there is a growing need for affordable legal services for low-income seniors to address their legal problems.

Efforts to Expand Access to the Elder Law Field for Seniors of Color

Efforts to expand access to the elder law field are underway, focusing on serving seniors of color who are currently underrepresented. Bobbi K. Flowers, president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and director of the Center for Excellence in Elder Law at Stetson University College of Law, emphasized the need to bridge the access gap for communities of color. Stetson University has established a fellowship program to train law students of color in elder law, and fellows will be required to give presentations about elder law services in diverse communities. Additionally, partnerships between medical providers and legal services, such as the Medical-Legal Partnership for Seniors Clinic in San Francisco, are helping seniors access information on advanced health care and estate planning, public benefits, and other issues.

Legal Hotlines and Partnerships to Improve Access to Legal Services for Older Adults

Legal hotlines are another initiative to make legal services more accessible to older adults. For example, seniors across Florida can access attorneys and paralegals by calling a free hotline. Professionals at the hotline can also refer more complex cases to other free legal providers. In addition, the Legal Services Corporation, the Administration for Community Living, and the National Center on Law & Elder Rights have collaborated to launch a webinar training series on elder law, which covers specialized topics such as nursing facility eviction cases and representing clients with cognitive problems. The elder rule is crucial to everyone because legal assistance can help older adults live independently in their chosen communities. Sarah Galvan, managing director for elder rights at Justice in Aging, explained that having older adults in vibrant communities benefits everyone.

published May 04, 2023

By Author - LawCrossing
( 2 votes, average: 4.4 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.