Financial and Legal Resources

Seniors and their caregivers have to maneuver many financial and legal decisions surrounding retirement planning, investment portfolios, estate taxes, life insurance, and living wills. In addition, it is important that you, the caregiver, are up-to-date on elder law and how to prevent elder abuse. The Links of Interest (right) provide you with answers to many financial and legal questions.

Elder Law

Elder abuse carries far-reaching legal implications and as such is monitored by federal, state and local governments. These bodies help through adult protective services, state elder abuse hotlines, long-term care ombudsmen, information and referral via local Area on Aging and local law enforcement. Elder abuse refers to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. State laws speak directly to elder abuse, but broadly defined, abuse may be:

• Physical Abuse – Inflicting or threatening to inflict physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving him/her of a basic need.
   
• Emotional Abuse – Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder through verbal or nonverbal acts.
   
• Sexual Abuse – Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
   
• Exploitation – Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.
   
• Neglect – Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.
   
• Abandonment – Desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.

Source: National Center for Elder Abuse – Administration on Aging