WASHINGTON, July 31, 2019 —The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging released its summer 2019 issue of BIFOCAL, which features stories about the challenges older immigrants face as they try to access public benefits; a critical approach to identifying elder fraud and abuse; a new online resource that helps families when older adults and adult children need assistance with decision-making, and more.
The July-August summer issue is a collection of articles written by some of the country’s foremost law and aging lawyers and experts, who are available to media outlets seeking sources. Experts and their articles include:
- “Our New Nursing Home Arbitration Mandate: Educate, Educate, Educate.” The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently issued a final rule permitting arbitration clauses in nursing home contracts. Read about what it means for lawyers and their clients, and for consumers. By Charlie Sabatino.
When Red Flags Go Up: “Informed Elder Fraud and Abuse Screenings Critical to Identifying Victims.” How to make sure you’re asking the right questions, in the right setting, to effectively screen for elder fraud and abuse — and what to do next. By Deirdre Lok.
Chilling Effects: “Older Immigrants Face Growing Challenges for Public Benefits.” How advocates can help older immigrants get public benefits and the chilling effects of proposed rules issued by the Trump administration. By Natalie Kean.
“Flying Without WINGS: Training for Court-Appointed Attorneys and Adult Guardians Ad Litem Piloted in Georgia.” Need Guardianship Reform? How to bring a training program to your state. By Ellie Crosby Lanier.
“Finding the Right Fit: Decision-Making Supports and Guardianship,” a new online resource for people to help loved ones who need assistance with decision-making as well as individuals considering what assistance they may need now or in the future. Also explained is what’s involved in a power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship. By Dari Pogash.
BIFOCAL e-journal provides important information about recent developments in law and aging and provides timely, legal resources pertaining to older persons. It is published bi-monthly. The summer issue contains eight articles and is available now.
To view BIFOCAL, click here.
The ABA can refer reporters to legal experts available to speak about helping older immigrants, guardianship and elder fraud abuse. Reporters seeking comment and analysis these topics may contact Betsy Adeboyejo at 202-662-1039 or at [email protected] for more information.
The ABA Commission on Law and Aging is a collaborative and interdisciplinary leader of the ABA’s work to strengthen and secure the legal rights, dignity, autonomy, quality of life, and quality of care of aging persons. The Commission accomplishes its work through research, policy development, advocacy, education, training, and through assistance to lawyers, bar associations, and other groups working on issues of aging.
With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary professional membership organizations in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at www.americanbar.org/news and on Twitter
@ABALawandAging releases summer 2019 issue of BIFOCAL featuring nursing home arbitration, immigration and elder abuse articles