title: Elder law, Medicare, and legal issues in older patients.
abstract: Elder law is a specialty area of law directed at the specific needs of older clients and clients with disabilities. This review discusses major legal issues faced by older patients, their families, and their health care providers, including the capacity to consent to treatment, advance directives, and surrogate decision-making. In addition, public benefit programs such as Medicare, Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicaid, and Supplemental Security Income are examined. Available options for long-term care, both institutional and community-based are also highlighted. Finally, elder abuse is discussed. All who provide care to an elder must be aware of the potential signs of abuse and the remedies available.
authors.affiliation: Elder Law Solutions, 49 Pearson Drive, Byfield, MA 01922, USA.
authors.forename: Margot G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Birke
mesh_terms: D032722:Advance Care Planning; D016223:Advance Directives; D000368:Aged; D004552:Elder Abuse; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D018868:Insurance, Disability / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007353:Insurance, Long-Term Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008484:Medicaid / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006278:Medicare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012943:Social Security / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States