Closing the Justice Gap for Older Adults Part 2: Representing Clients with a Range of Decisional Capabilities
Closing the Justice Gap for Older Adults Part 2: Representing Clients with a Range of Decisional Capabilities
Closing the Justice Gap for Older Adults Part 2: Representing Clients with a Range of Decisional Capabilities
RESOURCE TYPE
Training | Information
LANGUAGE
English
AUDIENCE
Policymakers | Lawyers
Resource Description
Introduction: This webinar helps lawyers and legal advocates better support older adults who face challenges to making their own choices. The one-hour and fifteen-minute video was created by several US government and legal aid groups. It teaches lawyers how to protect their older clients' right to make their own choices.
Resource Summary
Content Summary: The webinar shows how lawyers can help older adults keep control of their life choices, even with memory problems like dementia. It explains that the power to make choices isn't fixed. Instead, it can change from day to day or even hour to hour. Age alone doesn't decide if someone can make good choices. Lawyers often have hidden biases about older people that can get in the way of letting clients make their own choices. The webinar teaches lawyers to see themselves as helpers rather than as gatekeepers of their clients' choices. The video points out that other people in an older person's life can help or hurt their ability to make choices. Family members, friends, and social workers can offer good support, like helping with rides or setting up video calls. But lawyers need to watch out when these helpers try to make choices that the client doesn't want. Money managers and other official helpers need to listen to what older clients want. Lawyers should make sure these helpers are doing what's best for the client, not what's easiest for themselves. The webinar also teaches lawyers how to change their usual ways of working to better help older clients. This means giving clients more time, taking breaks when needed, and making sure the meeting place works well for them. Lawyers should use large print and simple words in documents. They should fill out forms for clients who need help. These small changes help older adults stay in charge of their own choices. The main message is clear: lawyers should help older clients keep their power to make choices, not take that power away. With the right support and respect, most older adults can and should make their own decisions about their lives.