"Older & Wiser" Presentations Planned

After laying off for the Summer (and much of the Spring) as a blogger, I am resuming, coincident with my teaching of "Elder Law & Practice" at Widener University School of Law, beginning this evening.   This is my welcome message to the students.

It is also an announcement about a pro bono project undertaken by the Dauphin County Bar Association, using the template of the Older & Wiser® Program.

This program, conceived and implemented in 2003 by the Neighborhood Legal Services Association, is intended "to deliver important information on legal issues affecting older adults, their care givers and their families."  As a national template, it is "a free program set up in a seminar style where local state legislators and volunteer attorneys give information on these matters of special importance."

The materials for each Older & Wiser® seminar have been developed by Managing Attorney Joseph M. Olimpi and private attorney volunteers.  Each Older & Wiser® seminar is presented by a pro bono attorney who provides an informative overview of a particular legal issue, followed by a question and answer period. 

Current session topics include:

•     Protection through Powers of Attorney and Living Wills

•     Dealing Effectively with a Healthcare Facility

•     Guarding Against Senior Fraud

•     Understanding Retirement Benefits

•     Learning about Last Wills and Living Trusts

•     Avoiding Missteps in Medicaid

•     Predatory Lending and the Elderly

At each presentation, handouts and brochures are available to take home. Appropriate referral information is given if attendees are in need of direct legal services. For those attending who are income eligible, there are reduced fee and free of charge services available to meet your needs.

The goal of the Older & Wiser® Program is to provide information that will assist older adults and their families in making wise decisions that protect them and the things they own. Everyone who is interested is welcome, regardless of age, and the seminars are offered free of charge.

In an announcement to its membership on August 21, 2013, describing "another pro bono opportunity for Dauphin County Bar Association members", implementation in Central Pennsylvania was described:

[W]e are working with MidPenn Legal Services to make Older & Wiser® presentations in the community (see dates below).

The Older & Wiser® Program is a way to deliver important information on legal issues affecting older adults, their care givers and their families. It is a free program set up in a seminar style where local elected officials and volunteer attorneys give information on these matters of special importance. 

Legal services and private attorney volunteers have prepared all the materials for each Older & Wiser® seminar (a Power Point presentation, handouts and brochures) for you.   Each Older & Wiser® Power Point Presentation is presented by a pro bono attorney who provides an informative overview of a particular legal issue, followed by a question and answer period.  

At each seminar, the audience receives handouts to take home. * * *

In particular, Representative Sheryl M. Delozier is hosting three presentations using the "Older & Wiser®” and we are looking for pro bono attorneys to present on:

• Thursday, September 12 from 9:00 am – 10:30 am – Protection through Powers of Attorney and Living Wills

                Bethany Vlg East Comm. Rm (766-0279)

                325 Wesley Drive

                Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

• Thursday, September 26 from 9:00 am – 10:30 am.  – Understanding Retirement Benefits

                Essex House (730-7302)

                20 North 12th Street

                Lemoyne, PA 17043

• Thursday, October 10 from 9:00 am – 10:30 am – Dealing Effectively with a Healthcare Facility

                Simpson Public Library (766-0171)

                16 North Walnut Street

                Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

• Thursday, October 31 from 9:00 am – 10:30 am – Learning about Last Wills and Living Trusts

                The Woods at Cedar Run (737-3373)

                824 Lisburn Road

                Camp Hill, PA 17011

Attorneys interested in presenting can contact  Sandy Ballard, Esq., Public Services Coordinator, Dauphin County Bar Association, 213 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (Ofc: 717-232-7536; Fax: 717-234-4582; Email: sandy@dcba-pa.org.

Members of the public -- Look for such programs in your area, or plan on attending those listed above.