Advocates for Seniors Shape Public Policy at White House Conference on Aging

Newswise — Elder Law Attorneys Advocating for Seniors at This Week's White House Conference on Aging

NAELA Delegates Making Recommendations to President Bush and Congress Regarding Long-term Care, Disaster Preparedness, Heath Care Decision Making and Aging in Place

Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) are actively participating in advocating for the urgent needs of our nation's seniors this week at the 2005 White House Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C., December 11 " 14, 2005. This year, for the first time, the White House Conference on Aging will be addressing the needs of the aging Baby Boom generation. The 78 million Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) will begin turning 65 in 2011. The White House Conference on Aging has historically had major influence on shaping aging policy. This year's conference is especially significant considering the increasing numbers of aging Americans.

NAELA Members plan to focus on making recommendations about relevant and critical issues for today's seniors including White House Conference on Aging agenda topics of long-term care, disaster preparedness, health care decision making and aging in place.

"Ensuring the availability and affordability of long-term care for seniors is among NAELA's top priorities," said Lawrence Davidow, NAELA President and White House Conference on Aging At-Large Delegate. "We are concerned that rising health care costs and longer life expectancy are making it more difficult for seniors and their families to adequately prepare for health care needs as they age. Planning ahead for long-term care is more important than ever and access to Medicaid, Medicare and other state and federal health care programs is vital for the health and well-being of America's older citizens."

"The recent disasters that took the lives of many older Americans are a call to action for us to immediately work to improve disaster preparedness for seniors," said Donna Bashaw, NAELA President-Elect and White House Conference on Aging At-Large Delegate. NAELA is working together with the AARP, the Alzheimer's Association, the Red Cross and other organizations to improve disaster preparedness on a state and federal level and to educate the public about private sector resources for seniors and their families.

Elder law attorneys often meet with individuals about living wills and other advance directives. But, the public interest this past March surrounding the Terri Schiavo case and NAELA's public education campaign about advance directives generated a flood of consumer calls to elder law attorneys around the country. A recent NAELA survey found that only one-third of adults in the age range of 35-49 have living wills. One of NAELA's top ten resolutions on the agenda is to educate consumers about end of life issues.

According to an AARP survey in May 2003, Eighty-two percent of American adults over 45 years old want to remain in their current home as long as possible and expect to receive the services necessary. Aging in place is a topic of interest to many seniors and is on the agenda. One of NAELA's top resolutions of interest is encouraging livable communities that enable aging in place. NAELA White House Conference on Aging Delegates:

At-Large Delegates: Lawrence E. Davidow, NAELA President from New York; Donna R. Bashaw, NAELA President-Elect from California; Michael A. Flory, NAELA Member from Michigan; Brian Lindberg, NAELA Public Policy Consultant from Washington, D.C.; Vincent J. Russo, NAELA Past President from New York; and Charles P. Sabatino, NAELA Past President from Washington, D.C.

Congressional Delegates: Helen Marks Dicks, NAELA Member from Wisconsin, appointed by U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin; David K. Lauritzen, NAELA Member from Utah, appointed by U.S. Representative Rob Bishop; Kerry R. Peck, NAELA Member from Illinois, appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich; Catherine Anne Seal, NAELA Member from Colorado, appointed by Governor Bill Owens; Judith A. Stein, NAELA Past President from Connecticut, appointed by U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd; and Paul A. Sturgul, NAELA Member from Wisconsin, appointed by U.S. Representative David Obey.

About the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (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 5,000 members across the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information, please contact NAELA at 520.881.4005 or visit www.naela.org.