The program is staffed by the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York Inc. The attorney provides advice and representation and/or referrals as appropriate to Albany County seniors age 60+. The attorney may assist on a variety of legal topics including: Social Security, SSI, Pensions, Medicare, Nursing or Adult Home Issues, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Utilities/HEAP, Tenants Issues, Home Repair & Consumer Fraud, Grandparents' Rights, Financial Abuse, and Elder Abuse.

Group presentations are given at Albany County senior centers and congregate sites; topics include: wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and estate matters. (The attorney does not provide direct representation on these issues.)

Appointments

The attorney makes monthly visits to senior and community centers. Call the site for an appointment.

• Town of Bethlehem Senior Citizens Services, 445 Delaware Ave., Delmar, 439-4955
• Cohoes Senior Citizens Multi-Service Center, 10 Cayuga Plaza, Cohoes, 235-2420
• Town of Colonie Senior Resources Department, 12 Metro Park Road, Suite 103, Colonie, 459-5051
• Town of Guilderland Senior Citizens Services, Guilderland Town Hall, Rt. 20, Guilderland 356-1980
• Senior Services of Albany, Westview Center, 680 Central Ave. Albany, 482-2120
• Senior Projects of Ravena, 9 Bruno Ave. Ravena, 756-8593
• Whitney Young Jr. Health Center, Lark & Arbor Dr. Albany, 465-4771, ext. 4496

Telephone Intake

The telephone intake slots are limited and are first-come first-serve; call (518) 462-6765 or 1 (800) 462-2922. The best times to reach intake staff are between 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. (Those who are not homebound are encouraged to sign up at one of the community sites.)

All Albany County seniors are encouraged to take advantage of this program, especially those who: are victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation; or physically isolated; proposed for or under guardianship; reside in nursing or adult homes or assisted living; have chronic health problems; or problems accessing health care; homeless or threatened with homelessness; live on a subsistence income; or limited English proficiency; are proposed for or under guardianship.

Helpful Websites & Contact Numbers

The New York State Attorney General's website has information and downloadable guides on a variety of topics including: crime victims' rights, health care proxy, identity theft, consumer tips, predatory scams, credit issues, tenant's rights, Advance health care planning, Living Will and Health Care Proxy and tips on choosing a health care plan. To contact the AG's office, call (518) 474-7330.

The National Center on Elder Abuse is a comprehensive website which helps define the forms of abuse, and information about laws protecting seniors, statistics, and contact numbers. The National Centers' number is: (202) 898-2586.

Albany County Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Unit handles elder abuse concerns, contact (518) 447-7177 or the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center at: (518) 447-7716 (hotline), or (518) 447-5500 (office). 

New York Department of Health website has information about birth and death certificates, Medicaid, and health care proxies.

The Elder Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool (TEPSAT) is an online, interactive, performance-based tool that will help you measure how prepared you are for the elder years. The higher your score, the higher your level of preparedness. As you "take the test," TEPSAT directs you to valuable tools and resources that will help you further prepare for decision-making in those later years.

NYS Bar Association to find an attorney at (518) 463-2200 who can assist with Advance health care planning, Living Will and Health Care Proxy.