BIFOCAL Extended Archive
PDF copies of archive issues of BIFOCAL are available below. A listing of current issues is available here.
PDF copies of archive issues of BIFOCAL are available below. A listing of current issues is available here.
Articles are listed under volume issue, by title (author in parenthesis) and page number.
BIFOCAL 33(6) July August 2012
New ABA Policy's on Aging Issues 72
Probate Courts & Community Connections: One Professional's Career Path 74
Longevity of Elder Law 77
Risk Management Essentials for Village Leaders 79
New Members of the ABA Commission on Law and Aging 85
2012 National Aging and Law Institute Scholarships 88
BIFOCAL 33(5) May June 2012
ABA Commission on Law and Aging Wins Award for Universal Power of Attorney Guide 61
David English Appointed Chair of ABA Commission 63
Summer Law Clerks Welcomed 62
Anthony R. Palermo Receives Pickering Award 64
White House Highlights Financial Exploitation of Elders, Announces Elder Abuse Initiatives 65
Book Review: Divorce in the Golden Years 67
Do I Really Need a Will? 68
National Aging and Law Institute Registration, Scholarships Available 69
Elder Law Day Program Keeps Focus on Rights 71
BIFOCAL 33(4) April 2012
Obtaining Visitation with or Custody of Grandchildren (by Jeff Atkinson) 47
New Administration for Community Living 48
National Legal Resource Center User Survey 48
Protecting Assets for a Child with a Disability (by Bradley J. Frigon) 51
New Name for Commission on Disability Rights (by Amy Allbright) 53
Free Webinar and Resource for Creating a Welcoming Agency for LGBT Older Adults
OAA Reauthorization and the Legal Assistance Misconception (by Charles P. Sabatino) 54
Another Look at the Numbers: Legal Services and OAA Reauthorization (by David Godfrey) 60
BIFOCAL 33(3) February 2012
There’s No Place Like Home: The Vera Institute of Justice’s Guardianship Project (by Laura Negron, Esq., and Julia Kaminsky) 35
Charitable Giving and Medicaid Issues (by Hyman G. Darling) 40
Developments in Model Approaches to Statewide Legal Assistance Systems (by David Godfrey) 42
Dedicated Senior Helplines Reach More Seniors, Identify Trends in Legal Needs (by Jan Kruse and Odette Williamson) 43
Book Review: Checklist for Family Heirs (Review by Erica Wood) 45
Access your copy of the ABA Commission’s new, free booklet offering a simple durable power of attorney for health care, designed to meet the legal requirements in nearly all states (by Charles P. Sabatino) 46
CLE: Spousal and Domestic Partner Issues in Pension and Retirement Income (April 12) 47
BIFOCAL 33(2) December 2011
Speak Up This Season! 23
Commission on Law and Aging Wins “Most Innovative Presentation” for CLE Webinar 23
First National Aging and Law Institute Draws 350 Advocates (by David Godfrey) 24
Pro Bono Summit Generates Ideas and Commitment (by David Godfrey) 26
Helpline Report Reveals Data, Shares Stories of Elderly Who Have Been Helped (by Shoshanna Erlich) 27
Third National Guardianship Adopts Standards and Offers Recommendations (by Erica Wood) 29
Medicare’s Hospice Benefit for Beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s Disease Explained (by Leslie Fried) 31
Book Reviews A Bitter Pill: How the Medical Care System Is Failing the Elderly (Review by David Godfrey); and Turn of Mind (Review by Lori Stiegel) 30
Giving Someone a Power of Attorney for Your Health Care: A Guide and Easy-to-Use Legal Form for ALL Adults 34
BIFOCAL 33(1) October 2011
Protecting Vulnerable Adults Living in Congregate Settings from Financial Abuse (by Iris C. Freeman) 1
New “Bare Bones” Health Care Power of Attorney Is Valid in All but Five States (by Charles P. Sabatino) 1
Handbook for Courts Boosts Guardianship Oversight (Erica Wood) 2
Commission Welcomes Distinguished New Members 3
Court’s Elder Abuse Initiatives Benefit Victims, Courts, and Professionals (by Lori Stiegel) 9
How to Work with a Geriatric Social Worker (by Leland Kiang) 10
Twelve Awarded Scholarships to National Aging & Law Institute (by David Godfrey) 13
Local Coverage Determinations for People with Alzheimer’s Disease: An Examination of Policy Changes Since 2001 (by Mollie Gurian) 14
BIFOCAL 32(6) August 2011
Summit to Develop Standards for Guardianship Performance, Decision-making 75
What Happens to Hotline Clients After the Call? (by Shoshanna Erlich) 75
Take the Survey of Aging Service Professionals 76
Five Key Legal Issues of Older LGBT Adults (by David Godfrey) 77
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness (Review by Charles P. Sabatino)
NYSBA Publishes Journal Devoted to Planning for the Elder Years (by Jamie Philpotts) 83
Call for Nominations for Elder Rights Advocacy Hall of Fame
What Is Systemic Impact Advocacy? (by David Godfrey) 87
CLE: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Elder Abuse (Webinar) 88
BIFOCAL 32(5) June 2011
Call to Join the Elder Justice Act Postcard Campaign 63
Commission on Law and Aging Awarded Grant 64
Commission on Law and Aging Welcomes Summer Interns 65
Report Analyzes Barriers, Identifies Ways to Improve Outreach to Seniors 65
States Report Success with Physician Orders to Honor Patient’s Treatment Wishes 66
Vote for the Best Legal Novel of the Year 67
Join Us at the ABA Annual Meeting 67
National Aging and Law Institute 68
Upcoming Webinar: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Elder Abuse 69
Understanding Ethical Issues in Elder Law 70
Book Review: Jan’s Story—Love Lost to the Long Goodbye of Alzheimer’s (Review by David Godfrey) 71
Communities Advancing—Slowly—to Meet the Needs of an Aging Population (by Mollie Gurian) 72
Wyoming Joins States with Emeritus Pro Bono Rule (By David Godfrey) 73
Complimentary CLE on Representing Veterans 74
BIFOCAL (32)4 April 2011
Special Elder Abuse Issue
Jilenne Gunther Details Costs of Financial Exploitation of Elderly (interview by Lori A. Stiegel) 41
Power of Celebrity at the Senate Special Committee on Aging Hearing; EJA Update; New Bills Introduced (by Lori A. Stiegel) 43
Commission to Develop Pocket Guide on Legal Issues Related to Elder Abuse (by Lori A. Stiegel) 43
Research Demonstrates Effectiveness of Wisconsin’s New Individual-at-Risk Restraining Order 45
The Cost of Financial Exploitation (by Jilenne Gunther) 46
Nation’s First Elder Abuse Forensic Center Wins U.S. Attorney General’s Award 57
New Resource: Planning for Future Health Care Decisions . . . Your Way (by Charles Sabatino) 58
Florida College of Medicine-Law Center Adapts ABA Commission’s Health Proxy Guide 59
Book Review: ERISA and Employee Benefits Law (by David Godfrey) 60
Continuing Legal Education: Sign up Now for Ethical Issues in Elder Law Webinar (June 28) and Download Complimentary Webinars on Representing Veterans 62
Plus: National Aging and Law Institute to Be Held Nov. 10-12, 2011, in Boston (42); and How Do Consumer’s Find a Lawyer? (42)
BIFOCAL (32)3 February 2011
American Bar Association Launches redesigned Web Site 29
National Healthcare Decisions Day Is Around the Corner 30
Medicare Matters: New Benefit Provides Beneficiaries with Annual Wellness Visit (by Leslie Fried) 31
Elder Rage or Take My Father . . . Please (book review by David Godfrey) 33
Call for Participation in Elder Law Study
Announcement of 2011 - 2012 Borchard Fellowship in Law and Aging 34
Complimentary CLE Webinars on Representing Veterans 35
How to Give a Better Workshop Presentation (by David Godfrey) 36
Florida Adapts Making Medical Decisions forSomeone Else Guide (by Erica Wood)
BIFOCAL 32(2) December 2010
What Is Quality in Elder Care Mediation and Why Should Elder Law Advocates Care? (by Ellie Crosby Lanier) 15
Why a Client’s Status As a Veteran Should Be an Important Component of Your Planning (by Felicia Pasculli) 21
CLE Webinar : A Closer Look at the Veterans Administration Schedule for Rating Disabilities 21
Military Service and the Law (CLE DVD/book review by David Godfrey) 23
Start Planning Now for Law Day 2011!
Updated Resources on the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act (by Erica Wood) 25
Highlights of 9 th Annual National Aging and Law Conference (by Jamie Philpotts) 26
CLE Webinar : What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Medicare in 2011
--Tues., Jan. 18, 2011
--1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EST (12:00 p.m. Central; 11:00 a.m. Mountain; and 10:00 a.m. Pacific)
--Register Today! Online at: http://www.abanet.org/cle/programs/t11enk1.html
-- Special Discount Rate of $75 for Legal Aid and Gov’t Lawyers!ABA Commission to Develop Pocket Guide on Legal Issues Related to Elder Abuse (by Lori Stiegel) 1
In Search of Adequate Funding for Legal Assistance for Low-income Seniors (by David Godfrey) 1
ABA Commission Welcomes Distinguished New Members 3
Report Shows Women Affected Most by Alzheimer’s Disease (by Jamie Philpotts) 5
GAO Report on Guardianship Underscores Need for Standards, Training, and Monitoring 7
ABA Commission Offers Legal Externship Opportunities for Winter/Spring 13
Free CLE Webinar on Representing Veterans: Establishing Service Connection on Disability Claims 7Register Now for the National Aging and Law Conference: www.aarp.org/nalc
BIFOCAL 31(6) August 2010
ABA Commission Project to Help States Establish POLST Programs to Honor Patients' Wishes for Advanced Illness Care (by Jamie Philpotts) 115
Borchard Foundation Invites Applicants for Academic Research Grant Program 116
Adapt Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else for Your State 117
ABA Family Law Section Committee Keeps Focus on Vulnerable Adults and Special Needs Families (by Paula Kirby)
Summary of Health Care Decision Statutes Enacted in 2010 (by Martina Mills and Charles P. Sabatino) 120
Links to State-Specific Advance Directive Forms (by Amy Gioletti) 127
CLE: Three (Free) Webinars on Advanced Topics in Representing Veterans with Veterans' Benefits Claims (124) and What Every Attorney Representing Elderly Clients Needs to Know (126)
Recommended Reading: Residence Options for Older and Disabled Clients (review by David Godfrey) and the Home Visitor Manual: An Advocates Guide for Helping Homebound Elderly (review by Jamie Philpotts) 125
Web Site Helps Consumers Choose Best Health Insurance Options (by Leslie Fried) 130
AoA Awards Grants for Model Approaches Statewide Assistance Systems and Pension Rights Projects (by Shoshanna Ehrlich) 131
Register Now for the National Aging and Law Conference: www.aarp.org/nalcBIFOCAL 31(5) June 2010
Guardianship in Israeli Law—Need for Revisions (b y Carmit Shay) 101
Virginia Elder Rights Coalition Renames Award in Honor of Erica F. Wood (by Jamie Philpotts) 102
ABA Commission Welcomes Summer 2010 Interns 103
Employment Opportunity at the ABA Commission 103
Recommended Reading: Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence by Gail Sheehy (review by David Godfrey) 108
List of Adult Guardianship Education and Training Videos, DVDs, and Movies (by Danielle Valdenaire) 109
New! Special ABA Dues Rates for Legal Aid Attorneys, Gov't Attorneys, Solo Practitioners, and More 111
Save the Date: National Aging and Law Conference—Dec. 9-11, 2010, Alexandria, Virginia 112BIFOCAL 31(4) April 2010
A Decade of Partnerships in Law and Aging: A Retrospective of the Innovative Grant Program Aimed at Increasing Awareness and Access to Legal Services for Older Persons (by Jamie Philpotts) 71
Comments Sought on Proposal Requiring Banks to Protect from Garnishment Social Security and Other Federal Retirement Income (by David Godfrey) 71
Elder Justice Act Becomes Law, But Victory Is Only Partial (b y Lori A. Stiegel) 73
Partnerships Legacies Continue Helping Elders Today (by David Godfrey) 76
The Brooke Astor Case: “An Appalling Set Of Circumstances” (Part 3 of an Interview with Alex Forger conducted by Lori Stiegel) 83
Can the Development of Elder Law in the U.S. Work As a Model for the Israeli System? (by Carmit Shay) 93
Recommended Reading: Everyday Law for Seniors (review by Jamie Philpotts) (82) and Public Guardianship: In the Best Interests of Incapacitated People? (84)BIFOCAL 31(3) February 2010
BIFOCAL 31(2) December 2009
Advocacy Victory for People with Younger-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Results in Expedited Benefits (by Leslie Fried) 51
Access Express/Resputos Rapidos Brings Knowledge of Legal Issues to Remote Elders and Lawyers Who Serve Them (by Janay Haas and Robert Mead) 53
More Help Is Needed for Persons with Cognitive and Other Brain Impairments Who Want to Vote (by Ellen Klem) 55
The Brooke Astor Case: “An Appalling Set of Circumstances” (Part 2 of an Interview with Alex Forger) (by Lori Stiegel) 60
Borchard Center on Law and Aging Announces Fellowship 64
Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders Is Awarded Grant to Establish 67
New Article Appraises of Elder Law Education 69
Commission Welcomes Law Intern from Israel 59
In Memory of F. William McCalpin, chair of the ABA Commission on Law and Aging (1996 - 2002)
State Advance Directive Registries: A Survey and Assessment (by Allison Hughes)
Delaware State Bar Honors Members Who Served, Launches Pro Bono Program to Assist Veterans (by David Godfrey) To Help Veterans with Claims, Lawyers Must Be Accredited: Learn How (by David Godfrey)
The Brooke Astor Case: “An Appalling Set of Circumstances” (Part 1 of an Interview by Lori Stiegel with Alex Forger)
Join the National Health Care Decisions Day Initiative April 16!
New Resource! Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill Helps People Understand Financial and Legal Options at the End of Life
Short Attention-span Theater: Training Tips for Webinar Presenters (by David Godfrey)
ABA Commission Welcomes International Law Intern
Communicating with Lawyers (by David Godfrey)
Harvard School of Medicine Publishes Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will
AOA and National Legal Resource Center Partners Launch Web Site (by Omar Valverde)
New Resource! Comprehensive Chart Features Links to State-specific Advance Directive Forms (by Danielle Valdenaire) Advance Care Planning in Health Reform (Formerly Misrepresented As “Death Panels”) (by Charlie Sabatino)BIFOCAL 31(1) October 2009
New Doughnut Hole Calculator Steers Part D Enrollees to Less Expensive Medications (by Sally Hurme, J.D., and Jane Lincoln, MSW) 1
Failing to Report and False Reporting of Elder Abuse: Penalties Under State Adult Protective Services Laws (by Laura Remick) 1
Tips for Providing Services on American Indian Reservations: An Individual Approach Works Best (by Alex Ward) 17
Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, and the SSDI Process: "Passage of Time is Not Your Friend" (by Leslie Fried, J.D.) 20
Administration on Aging Awards $1.1 Million to States to Help Older Americans Access Legal Services 14
Pennsylvania SeniorLAW HelpLine Expands Reach Through Electronic Newsletter (by Sue Wasserkrug, J.D.) 15
ABA Commission on Law and Aging Welcomes Six Distinguished New Members, Liaison 3
Coverage of Brooke Astor Case Draws Ink, Ire of ABA Commission Senior Attorney 9
Important Notice on Social Security Class Action 11
ABA Commission Updates Chart on States’ Emeritus Pro Bono Practice Rules 11
Book Review: Nasty, Brutish & Long: Adventures in Old Age and the World of Eldercare 14
ABA Commission Announces Summer 2010 Law and Aging Legal Internship Opportunities 16
New Presentation Template: Why States Should Enact the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act (UAGPPJA) 22
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