Today I thought I would share some resources that are related to the legal aspects of caregiving. These links are associated with wills, work, disabilities, and other forms of advocacy. Please feel free to notify me of others which I may have missed. I would like this to become as comprehensive as possible.
Arkansas Adult Protective Services: Adult Protective Services assist vulnerable and elder adults to stop and prevent abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Anyone can make a report about suspected abuse to the Hotline. Adults age 60 and older and adults with disabilities.
(800) 482-8049
http:/ / www.aradultprotection.com
Arkansas Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): AAAs offer aging services, including:
• Information and assistance
• Care management
• Nutrition services (i.e., Meals on Wheels)
• Legal assistance
• Services for family caregivers through the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP)
(866) 801-3435
http:/ / www.arkansas.gov/ dhs/ aging/ aaamap.html
Arkansas Legal Services Partnership: Non-profit organization advocates for the legal rights of low income residents of Arkansas. Offers the following services:
•Legal representation
•Legal hotlines by county
•Education (elder, family, consumer law)
Low income residents of Arkansas
http:/ / www.arlegalservices.org
Arkansas Long Term Care Ombudsman: Ombudsmen investigate complaints made by, or on behalf of, individual residents in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They also answer questions about the quality of care or financial, physical, or mental abuse in residential facilities. (501) 682-2441
Arkansas People First: Non-profit self-advocacy group run and controlled by persons with disabilities that offers self-advocacy training. Also provides online community chat groups and message boards. Individuals with any type of disability. (888) 488-6040
http:/ / www.arkansaspeoplefirst.org
Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly, Inc. (AVLE): Organization provides free legal assistance and services to low income older adults. Services are not available in the following counties: Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, Lonoke, Jefferson, Garland, Hot Spring, and Clark.
Multiple requirements:
•Adults age 55 and older
•Low income
800-999-2853
Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly
Disability Rights Center (DRC): Non-profit organization advocates on behalf of people with disabilities in Arkansas. Also offers the following programs:
• Representation in cases of complaints filed against the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Advocacy for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (information, referral, and legal representation)
• Protection & advocacy for beneficiaries of Social Security
• Protection & advocacy for individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Eligibility varies by program. (501) 296-1775
http:/ / www.arkdisabilityrights.org
Senior Health Insurance and Information Program (SHIIP): Assists individuals and families with eligibility questions and problems related to Medicare, including prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D, managed care, long-term care planning, health insurance and other health care issues. (800) 224-6330
http:/ / insurance.arkansas.gov/ seniors/ homepage.htm
AARP (Online Resources): A consumer organization for people 50 years and older. Provides online information about issues related to aging, including:
• Long-term care and retirement
• Financial and legal information
• Resources on family caregiving
• Internet resources on aging
(888) 687-2277
http:/ / www.aarp.org
Aging with Dignity: Provides older adults and their family members with practical information, advice and legal tools to ensure wishes at end-of-life will be respected, including the Five Wishes Living Will document.
American Bar Association (ABA) – Commission on Law & Aging: Provides an online guide to finding legal services in each state, including lawyer referral, court information, state laws and legal rights.
http:/ / www.abanet.org/ aging/ home.html
To find legal help in your state, visit:
http:/ / www.abanet.org/ legalservices/ findlegalhelp/ home.cfm
Caring Connections: A program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization that offers free resources and information (online and over the phone) about end-of-life care and services. Includes information about:
• Advance care planning
• Financial assistance
• Hospice care and grief
(800) 658-8898
http:/ / www.caringinfo.org
Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC): Provides information, training and technical assistance and a free hotline on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
(800) 949-4232
Family and Medical Leave: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for themselves, or for a seriously ill family member, or for a new child without losing their jobs or health care insurance. Some states have additional benefits, such as paid family leave. Eligible workers must:
• Work at companies with 50 or more employees at or within 75 miles of the work site
• Have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12-months prior to taking leaveWorkers can take leave to care for:
• An ill spouse, child, or parent (some states include additional family members)
• A new baby or adopted child
• Themselves when they have a serious illness Department of Labor:
(866) 487-9243
http:/ / www.dol.gov/ esa/ whd/ fmla
National Partnership for Women and Families:
National Partnership for Women
LawHelp.org: Provides online directory of nonprofit legal services providers throughout the country. Anyone, with special attention on people living on low or moderate income.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC): LSC, also called Legal Aid, is a government resource that provides legal assistance to low income Americans. The LSC provides an online listing of member organizations that provide free legal assistance to eligible clients.
Must be low income (income limits vary by program)
Medicare Rights Center: Nonprofit organization that provides direct assistance to people with questions or concerns about Medicare. Information is provided about Medicare drug coverage, health plan options, and rights and benefits. Assistance is available online or by a telephone hotline.
(800) 333-4114
http:/ / www.medicarerights.org
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA): Provides an online directory of its members to locate attorneys that deal with legal issues affecting elderly and disabled adults, including:
• Public benefits
• Probate and estate planning
• Guardianship and conservatorship
• Health and long-term care planning
National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO): Provides assistance in obtaining veterans’ benefits and answers questions regarding rules and regulations concerning veterans. Website provides directory of Veteran Service Officers across the country.
Family members of a veteran
http:/ / www.nacvso.org
National Center on Elder Abuse: Offers an online “State Resource Directory for Elder Abuse Prevention” which includes help lines and hotlines to report suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Also includes state laws and regulations that protect older adults.
(202) 898-2586
National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform: Offers consumers, families and advocates resources and information on long-term care including; an overview of each state’s nursing home system and licensing agencies, and a consumer’s guide to choosing a nursing home. (202) 332-2276
http:/ / www.nursinghomeaction.com
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: An online resource that defines the role of a long-term care ombudsman and how he/she can help families of nursing home residents. It also includes a state-by-state directory of long-term care ombudsmen. (202) 332-2275
Patient Advocate Foundation: Provides mediation between patients and their employers and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis relating to the patient’s condition.
(800) 532-5274
WorkLife Law (WLL): WorkLife Law operates a hotline which provides legal assistance to caregivers who encounter discrimination in the workplace due to their family responsibilities. Services include:
• Legal advice/assistance
• Advocacy
• Attorney referrals
(800) 981-9495
worklifelaw.org/EmployeeHotline
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
We are delighted to see that you have listed Disability Rights Center, Inc. (Arkansas) in your list of legal resources. Thanks very much. DRC administers 8 legally based protection and advocacy programs for people with disabilities to fight discrimination and protect them from abuse, neglect and violation of their rights. July 1 – August 28 is the DRC public input period to help us develop 2010 priorities. As of July 3 the public input form will be on our website at http://www.arkdisabilityrights.org.
Much appreciation.
We are delighted to see that you have listed Disability Rights Center, Inc. (Arkansas) in your list of legal resources. Thanks very much. DRC administers 8 legally based protection and advocacy programs for people with disabilities to fight discrimination and protect them from abuse, neglect and violation of their rights. July 1 – August 28 is the DRC public input period to help us develop 2010 priorities. As of July 3 the public input form will be on our website at http://www.arkdisabilityrights.org.
Much appreciation.
I am located in Benton so I am always on the lookout for local resources as well as national. Thanks for the work you guys do!