HOMEBOUND
ELDERLY LEGAL PROJECT
Addressing
the needs of low-income homebound, disabled and chronically ill
elders.
In September 1999,
SeniorLAW Center launched The Homebound Elderly Legal Project, a
new program to address the needs of the homebound, disabled and
chronically ill elderly, who are unable to access existing legal
and outreach services because of mental and physical
disabilities.
This new project is
funded through the award of an Independence Foundation Public
Interest Law Fellowship, and provides direct services through
home visits, focused outreach and education, and new
collaborations with in-home service providers, including those
who provide food, medical care, housekeeping and other in-home
services to homebound elders.
The homebound elderly
are among the most underserved and vulnerable populations in our
community. Being homebound and disabled exacerbates the
legal problems of the poor elderly and makes them that much more
vulnerable to fraud, consumer scams, home repair contractor
problems, abuse of powers of attorney, and other forms of
exploitation. Their survival on limited fixed incomes
averaging less than $650 a month makes this exploitation that
much more devastating.
SeniorLAW Center’s focused
services make a significant difference in the lives of homebound
clients facing legal crises, and help them to access crucial
services which can affect their homes, their quality of life,
and their future care.
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