What is Elder Law and how does it differ from estate planning? Elder law is a field of law that deals with legal issues unique to the elderly, such as Medicare and Medicaid, powers of attorney, living wills, medical directives and "end of life" issues that no one wants to talk about. It can include estate planning, but often it does not.
We all have family or friends who are affected by elder law issues, whether they be parents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, or, as we grow older, ourselves. It's a rewarding but difficult area of the law. We often deal with people who are used to being in charge, but find themselves incapable of caring for themselves, let alone others they've nurtured for years. Just last week I took my father, who is 91, to visit his brother, who is 95 and in a nursing home in Idaho. It was sad because my uncle is now to the point of not recognizing me, my father or even his own daughter. Elder law helps people like my uncle.
