Newswise — From delving into veterans benefits to examining advance care planning, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) fall convention will offer insight into a range of issues impacting seniors and people with disabilities.
The Advanced Elder Law Institute " which runs from Oct. 23 to 26 at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri " will bring together the industry's top experts in an effort to network, share knowledge and experience and analyze existing and new legal trends in the area of aging and special needs. The meeting is expected to draw hundreds of attorneys and legal experts representing virtually every state in the nation.
"This is going to be an extremely informative convention," said event chair Bradley J. Frigon, an Elder Law attorney from Englewood, CO. "We have lined up some of the most interesting speakers and advanced topics in the area of Elder Law and planning for people with disabilities."
With the presidential election only weeks away, a hot topic among attendees will be the changing political landscape and how a new White House will affect America's aging population. The next four years is particularly significant for the 75 million-strong Baby Boomer population, with many approaching retirement age and becoming eligible for entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. One Advanced Elder Law Institute session, for example, features a mock debate designed to demonstrate where John McCain and Barack Obama stand on key tax issues.
"We serve as a voice for seniors and people with disabilities in Washington so it's important to understand the candidates' positions," said NAELA President Craig Reaves. "With the government passing new legislation designed to impose budget constraints, we want to make sure we find ways to ensure the growing senior population has adequate health care coverage."
Earlier this year, NAELA examined stated positions from the candidates' websites on Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drugs, universal healthcare, Social Security, taxes and elder abuse. Some of those details can be found here ( http://www.naela.org/ViewFullArticle.aspx?ArticleID=259 )
Throughout the event, attendees will be able to brush up on dozens of topics, from post-death litigation to emergency guardianship proceedings. They will also be able to mingle with successful author, attorney and advocate Elizabeth Edwards, who is delivering the keynote address on Oct. 24. Elizabeth " a breast cancer patient and the spouse of former presidential candidate and North Carolina Senator John Edwards " will discuss her own involvement in health care issues, as well as her role as a national symbol of the fight against cancer. She will also participate in a "talk show" style session dedicated to long-term care. There, Edwards will join a panel of NAELA experts in discussing current healthcare proposals to integrate and finance long-term, chronic and catastrophic care under a universal healthcare system.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak on such an important topic as health," said Edwards, who recently joined the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow. "We need universal and quality healthcare coverage for all Americans. Reform of the current system is warranted, especially now that Americans are living longer than ever."
For more information on the Advanced Elder Law Institute, visit http://www.naela.org .
What is Elder Law? Elder law is a specialized area of law that involves representing, counseling and assisting seniors, people with disabilities and their families in connection with a variety of legal issues, with a primary emphasis on promoting the highest quality of life for individuals. Typically, elder law addresses the convergence of legal needs with the social, psychological, medical and financial needs of individuals. The elder law practitioner handles estate planning and counsels clients about planning for incapacity with health care decision-making documents. The elder law attorney also assists clients in planning for possible long-term care needs, including at-home care, assisted living or nursing home care. Locating the appropriate type of care, coordinating public and private resources to finance the cost of care, and working to ensure the client's right to quality care are all part of the elder law practice.
About NAELA Established in 1987, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations and others. Members of NAELA are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities. The mission of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is to establish NAELA members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance and services to enhance the lives of people with special needs and people as they age. NAELA currently has more than 4,000 members across the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit http://www.naela.org.
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