Elder Law: A Guide to Working with Older Australians

This comprehensive, contemporary text examines the many issues facing legal practitioners, financial advisors, allied health professionals and medical practitioners relating to the older client and their families.

The book is structured around key questions that regularly face older Australians: Who will make decisions for me if I am unable to? Who can support me to make my own decisions? How can I record my decisions in advance so people can make decisions that are similar to my own? What services are available to support me? Where will I live? How do I plan my secure financial future? (And that of my loved ones?) How do I get a fair go?

The book takes a national approach to these issues. The expertise of a number of chosen experts is exemplified in the 20 chapters contained within this text. Chapters address issues such as the skills required of the professional practising in this area, both supported and substitute decision making including substitute decision making instruments, and the roles of tribunals hearing guardianship and financial matters. The many accommodation choices open to older Australians are also discussed as are the financial implications of these choices. The overall financial issues facing older Australians are covered in the chapters devoted to superannuation and Centrelink benefits, while financial elder abuse and age discrimination are considered in separate chapters.

The text is a current practical guide for professionals working with clients in this emerging speciality of law. Academics teaching in this area will find it an invaluable resource for teaching and research.