Practical Law Presentations Law Day for Senior Citizens: Elder Law Law Day is an ideal time for sponsoring programs to educate older Americans about their rights and call attention to legal resources available to seniors in the community. Since May is Older Americans Month, it is also a good time to sensitize attorneys to the concerns of the elderly and encourage them to volunteer in reduced fee or free legal programs for those with limited income. Program Suggestions There are many ways to plan a special elder law day program or to incorporate seniors into ongoing Law Day programs. Seminars for Seniors In Arlington, Virginia, two separate seminars with keynote speakers and workshops are scheduled, one in English and one in Spanish. Phone-In Programs The New Jersey Bar Foundation Committee on Aging and the state's Department of Community Affairs sponsor a toll-free call-in just for seniors. Mock Trials The Macomb County Bar Association of Michigan has held a mock trial of a case regarding termination of life support for an incompetent person. Other program suggestions include courthouse tours, cable TV programs, special luncheons, and ask-a-lawyer programs at malls, senior centers, or nursing homes. Program topics might focus on wills, health care power of attorney, reverse mortgages, telemarketing fraud, trusts, or guardianships. Planning Tips Keep in mind when planning a program that transportation can be a problem for many senior citizens. Choose a location which is well known, close to public transportation, and easily accessible for those with disabilities. Check to make sure the room has good lighting, comfortable seating, an adjustable temperature setting, and an adequate sound system. Consider scheduling your program in the morning or mid-day rather than late afternoon or evening. Avoid programs that are too long or include too many different speakers. If your program includes opportunities for seniors to meet with an attorney, try to arrange the room to ensure privacy for each participant and to reduce background noise. Ask volunteers to speak in a low pitched voice and to sit so people can see their lips. Avoid having people face a source of glare, such as a window, and consider extending the length of individual conferences from 15 minutes to a half hour or even 45 minutes if possible. Offer handout materials in a larger typeface for participants to take after the program and include a list of area organizations which offer low-cost legal services. Contact the ABA Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly or the AARP for additional handout materials. Remember that age bias is deeply ingrained in our society and can interfere with your program's success. While designing materials or making room arrangements to compensate for possible hearing or vision loss, avoid adopting a patronizing attitude. Help volunteers recognize "age-ist" stereotypes and check their own pre-existing perceptions. Recruit attorneys who specialize in elder law to brief volunteers or ask someone who regularly works with seniors to address your group prior to the program. With careful planning and enthusiastic volunteers, you can sponsor a Law Day project that will be appreciated by seniors and the community groups which serve them. An elder law program can generate positive media coverage for your organization while creating opportunities for members or potential members to serve the community. Your members may find the interaction between seniors and volunteers to be a learning experience for both groups. Also be sure to take a look at our Talking Points on Medicare. Reaching the Community Home | Practical Law Presentations Home