Elder Law is a branch of law that gives emphasis or stress on issues relating or affecting the rapid population growth of aging people. This law comprises of three major categories that include real estate administration & planning as well as tax questions; disability, medicaid, or other long-term health care issues; and guardianship, commitment, or conservatorship matters.
Apart from the three major categories comprising the Elder Law, there are other issues as well such as:
- Discrimation
- Tax Issues
- Advocacy of Rights and Counselling
- Different levels of advices
- Mortgage and Real Esstate Assistance
- Tenant/Landlord requirements
- Powers of Attorney and Declarations
- Medical Care Directives or Physicians’ Directives
- Nursing Homes
- Consumer Protection
- Medicare Coverage
- Social Security benefits
- Retirement Planning
- All-levels of medical and disability care
- End-of-life planning
- Fraud
- Negligence
- Protection against elder abuse
- Trusts & Wills
Elder Law originated from the United States when the Older Americans Act or OAA was written into law on July 14, 1965 and signed by President B. Johnson. Along with this act, the Administration on Aging or AOA was established. AOA is a division inside the Department of Health & Human Services. OAA had authorized the states for training & demonstration projects, funding for research, services programs, and community planning in the area of aging.
In the succeeding years, OAA added funding benefits for various programs and services concerning elderly citizens and their families. In 2006, OAA was amended further in helping elderly people to avoid nutrition programs, improvement of state health, and institutional care. Instead, they should be given with increase coordination of local, state, and federal services for the elders. Part of the amendment also include regulation on elder abuse, financial & estate planning, and federal benefits.
Different careers are often associated with Elder Law that include the following:
- Insurance Providers
- Mortgage Brokers
- Real estate Agents
- Tour & Entertainment Guides
- Transportation Providers
- Product Developers
- Educators
- Fraud & Abuse Investigators
- Case Workers
- Grief Counselors
- Funeral Planners
- Researchers
- Health Care Providers
- Political Watchdog Groups
- Lawyers
- Paralegals
- Legal Assistants
- Legal Secretaries
- Psychologists
- Caregivers
- Financial Makers
- Policy Makers
- Legal Advocates
- Benefit Specialists
Retirement planning is the most important issue under the Elder Law. The primary goal of this issue is to ensure that the elderly will have enough money to maintain his or her standard of living after retirement. This issue affects two important factors: the number of years that an elder person is expected to live after retirement, and the length of time that an elderly person will have to save up for his or her retirement. In this case, it would be best to hire a qualified financial advisor who can help an elder person to sketch out his or her plans in terms of lifestyle and timing.