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Elder Law

We protect the rights of seniors and help them navigate complex legal systems. From housing and healthcare to fraud prevention and guardianship, we’re here to ensure older Virginians are treated with dignity and respect.

VPLC provides legal support, advocates for stronger elder protections, and works to ensure that older Virginians can live with security, access essential services, and guard against financial or legal exploitation.

We collaborate with aging services networks, educate communities on elder rights, and push for policies that address abuse, neglect, and systemic barriers to care.

Our work in this area includes:

Protecting Seniors from Elder Abuse

Older Virginians deserve to live free from harm.
VPLC works to prevent elder abuse through legal services, advocacy, and awareness-building efforts:

  • Supporting stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to prevent abuse and neglect.
  • Educating seniors, caregivers, and service providers about warning signs.
  • Providing legal assistance to victims of abuse.
  • Advocating for adequate staffing and oversight in long-term care facilities.

Guarding Against Financial Exploitation

Seniors are frequent targets of financial scams and coercion.
VPLC helps protect their financial security through:

  • Legal support for victims of fraud, coercion, or undue influence.
  • Advocacy to strengthen financial protections and reporting requirements.
  • Outreach and education about common scams targeting older adults.
  • Promoting bank and caregiver accountability for suspicious activity.

Ensuring Fair and Accountable Guardianship

Guardianship can protect vulnerable seniors, but it must be used with care.
VPLC works to improve and monitor the system through:

  • Advocacy for stronger due process and oversight in guardianship cases.
  • Supporting alternatives like supported decision-making when possible.
  • Promoting training and standards for guardians and courts.
  • Working to prevent unnecessary or abusive guardianships.

Medicaid Planning

Navigating Medicaid is complicated, but essential for many older Virginians.
VPLC helps make the process easier by:

  • Providing legal guidance on eligibility and asset planning.
  • Educating families on how Medicaid supports long-term care needs.
  • Monitoring state policies that affect Medicaid access.
  • Advocating for fair treatment in the application and appeals process.

Lowering Out-of-Pocket Costs for Seniors

Medicare Savings Programs help low-income seniors cover critical medical costs. VPLC supports expanded access by:

  • Promoting awareness and enrollment in these underused programs.
  • Advocating for streamlined eligibility and renewal processes.
  • Offering guidance to seniors facing denials or delays.
  • Fighting for policy changes that reduce barriers to care.
Headshot of Rodney

Rodney’s Story

Rodney has limited mobility and applied for disability benefits. He contacted legal aid to ask for their assistance after he received a letter of denial. A legal aid attorney appealed the decision, and Rodney received the benefits he needed to be able to live independently.

Our Elder Law Team

Emily Hardy, Esq.

Headshot of Emily Hardy

Deputy Director of the Center for Healthy Communities

Staff Attorney, Elder Law

Featured Work

Featured:

Senior Legal Helpline

Virginia’s Senior Legal Helpline protects elders' rights and independence. This toll-free offers free legal advice for Virginians over 60 covering issues like Medicaid coverage, SSI benefits, long term care concerns, and much more.

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We help make Virginia better for low-income residents with work in:

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