At Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), our team of 69 lawyers and 17 paralegals provides free civil (non-criminal) legal aid to low-income individuals and families in and around Boston. The Department of Seniors, Health and Disability represents seniors, persons with disabilities and families to ensure they receive the income, health care and services they need to live independently in the community. Our work promotes affordable housing for seniors, access to quality health care, social security or HSI income. We work to move people away from institutions and improve the quality of life for those who live in institutions. We empower people to make decisions about their lives and support people with disabilities in their fight for accessibility. The Useful Resources section of this page also contains useful links. For example, the Massachusetts Attorney General`s Office, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Council on Aging, can provide helpful advice regarding elder care and potential problems with elder abuse. The Attorney General`s Office maintains volunteers who can provide information about Medicare, other health insurance issues, housing, and access to prescription drugs. The Council on Aging provides useful information on financial support and benefits, identity theft prevention and veterans for older veterans. *These responses do not constitute legal advice and are provided for general information purposes only. Individuals should consult a lawyer for specific legal advice. The Elders Law Unit of Community Legal Aid provides legal services in housing matters for people aged 60 and over. SSI and Social Security Disability and Other Social Security Issues; access to health services, including health insurance; rights in nursing homes; SNAP (food stamps) and other benefits; family law, including physical abuse; and financial use.
Greater Boston Legal Services does not discriminate against any person using the Services on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, age, religion, country of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. The Massachusetts Office of Seniors Affairs has established 22 protective services across the state to investigate and/or respond to reports of elder abuse. If you want to report elder abuse, you can do so by calling the Elder Abuse Helpline (1-800-922-2275), which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each week, Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free legal assistance and representation in civil (non-criminal) matters to hundreds of some of the neediest residents of the City of Boston and 31 surrounding towns and villages. The Volunteer Lawyers Project of Boston provides free legal information and referral services to Massachusetts residents 60 years of age or older. The Greater Boston Legal Services (EAPP) Elder Abuse Prevention Project ensures that older adults in the Greater Boston Area live free from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Using a community-based model that prevents and responds to elder abuse, the EAPP provides training to caregivers, community members and seniors to raise public awareness. provides legal advice and representation to victims of abuse; calls for systemic reforms; and builds local community networks that prevent and respond to abuse. As part of its legal project for seniors, MWLS offers services to people aged 60 and over who live in our service area. Our lawyers help clients to: The current priorities of our impact advocacy are guardianship reform, guaranteeing the rights of isolated residents of retirement homes, improving access to hospital and transportation services for people with disabilities, and access to health services.
Under Massachusetts law, certain providers, health care professionals, or janitors are required to report suspected incidents of elder abuse in « good faith. » These « mandatory filers » include, but are not limited to, physicians, nurses, family counsellors, social workers, therapists or physiotherapists. If a mandatory reporter fails to report elder abuse, they can be fined up to $1,000 if they fail to do so. Federal and state laws governing Medicaid eligibility are complex and subject to frequent changes. While you are not required to hire a lawyer to help you with Medicaid planning, it is highly recommended that you consult with an attorney before committing to any Medicaid planning. The institute is also developing guidelines to improve support and resources for family members and volunteers who wish to serve as tutors. Institutions promote less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, including a broader use of health-related powers of attorney to maximize personal control and self-determination. Click here to consult the MBA`s 2022 Seniors` Law Training Guide for more information on seniors` law. Click here for a booklet from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys explaining why nursing home residents and their families should say « no » to arbitration. Read their stories and how GBLS is making a difference. Every week, there are hundreds of people we can`t help because of lack of resources.
Do I waive the rights in the power of attorney? Our main objectives include strengthening the protection of vulnerable people, including the right to counsel, as well as creating a high-quality public guardian to prevent abuse and exploitation, reduce poverty and stabilize hostile people who do not have family or friends who can stand up and help. MGPI organized a series of four seminars that brought together community leaders, policymakers, advocates, and academics from across the state to develop better policies to address Massachusetts` unmet guardianship needs. In December 2016, we introduced a bill, H 3027, S 1177, to create a much-needed public guardian through a public-private partnership. When they have nowhere else to go, low-income families and individuals, seniors and people with disabilities turn to GBLS for help in getting life`s most basic necessities. Examples of elder abuse include physical abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility, identity theft or scams where older adults are exploited, undue influence to harass or otherwise pressure older adults against their will to participate in estate planning, and/or negligence by a caregiver or family member regarding: Hygiene. Nutrition or medication. Some warning signs of elder abuse may include unexplained physical injuries (such as burns, cuts or fractures), withdrawal from normal activities, sudden changes in finances, poor hygiene, or signing documents without explanation. In 2009, after twenty years of advocacy, we successfully passed a comprehensive guardianship reform law that includes strong due process protection and liability protection for persons under guardianship. Here is some information and resources for people who are facing potential elder abuse and are interested in seeking additional support here in Massachusetts: Power of attorney can be customized to meet the specific needs of each situation. Generally, powers of attorney are used to grant others the right to access and use your personal property.
In these situations, you lose the right to have full control of your assets. The Seniors Legal Project is made possible in part by funding from the U.S. Seniors Act, which is administered by BayPath Elder Services, Inc., HESSCO and Springwell, Inc. is granted. The Massachusetts Bar Association`s Consumer Advocacy Task Force recommends that consumers visit the following websites and phone numbers for additional information on elder rights issues: Elder abuse is a serious crime defined by the Massachusetts legislature as acts or omissions that cause serious physical or emotional harm to older adults. including, but not limited to, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Caretaker negligence and financial abuse. Under Massachusetts law, a person is considered older if they are 60 years of age or older.
For nearly thirty years, Greater Boston Legal Services, in collaboration with our client groups, has campaigned for guardianship reforms to protect the fundamental freedom and independence of older and disabled people who lose their independent decision-making by imposing court-ordered guardianship. As the growing elderly population lives longer with an inability to work, the vulnerable population has increased. Yes. There are private companies that offer home care as an alternative to a nursing home. In some cases, Massachusetts law provides for possible criminal penalties against those who abuse the elderly. For example, a person who cheats and attacks an elderly person who causes bodily harm could face up to five years in prison. In addition, the guardian of an elderly person who recklessly allows another person to abuse or neglect an elderly person may be punished with up to three years in prison. Do I need a lawyer to help me plan for Medicaid? In 2014, we helped organize the Massachusetts Guardianship Policy Institute, MGPI, in partnership with the Northeast Justice Center and the Guardianship Community Trust. Our work includes research, education and advocacy to advance ideas and policies that improve the lives of all adults who, due to functional impairments, are unable to care for themselves or manage their property without assistance, especially those who do not have the personal and financial resources to seek help privately.
MGPI`s website is guardianship.institute/index.php and we welcome new subscribers. If you have any questions about these or other consumer protection issues, we strongly encourage you to contact the Massachusetts Bar Association`s Lawyer Reference Service.