Legal Information for Seniors and Families

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Provincial tour: Legal Information for Seniors and Their Families Published on May 6th, 2010
Published on May 6th, 2010
The News Topics : Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia , Nova Scotia Centre , Mount Saint Vincent University , NEW GLASGOW NEW GLASGOW – Seniors will be able to learn more about protecting their financial health and safety at an information session later this month.

The May 27 session will focus on how seniors can protect themselves from financial abuse – from telemarketing fraud to the misspending of their money by well-meaning family and friends. A second session that day, designed specifically for service providers, will also be held.

It is one of more than 20 sessions being held across the province to launch It’s in Your Hands: Legal Information for Seniors and Their Families, a free publication on financial abuse developed by the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging at Mount Saint Vincent University.

“The best forms of protection are knowledge and awareness,” says Maria Franks, executive director of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. “This publication will increase seniors’ understanding of the issues to consider when planning and arranging their legal and financial affairs – a major step in making them safer.”

It’s in Your Hands was developed for seniors and their families and friends, but it will also help educators and decision-makers, community volunteers, social agencies and enforcement agencies – as well as people planning ahead for their retirement years.

“The information sessions will help to raise awareness of the issues and give everyone a chance to have their questions and concerns addressed,” said Franks.

Participants will receive a copy of the publication, which will later become available online. Specific topics covered will include wills, power of attorney, Internet fraud, property transfers and grandparents’ rights.

“With today’s growing senior population, we are seeing an increasing interest in their physical and mental health,” says Dr. Janice Keefe, Director of the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging. “But financial health is crucial too.”

The booklet is designed specifically for Nova Scotians, because many of the topics covered fall under provincial law.

Session will be held at the New Glasgow Library from 10 a.m.-noon for seniors and from 1:30-3:30 p.m. for service providers. The sessions are free, but anyone wishing to attend is asked to pre-register due to limited seating.

For more information on the book, the info session, or to pre-register, visit www.legalinfo.org or call 902-454-2198.