The National Legal Resource Center (NLRC), funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is now available to provide legal information and support to lawyers and advocates for the elderly. The partners supporting this effort are the National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC), the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Center for Social Gerontology, and the Center for Elder Rights Advocacy (housed at Elder Law of Michigan).  The NLRC has launched its website, http://www.nlrc.aoa.gov/ which provides information on many topics of interest to advocates including capacity, housing, elder abuse, financial security, best practices, legislation, and other issues.  In addition, advocates can request case consultation on a broad array of legal issues which will be forwarded to NSCLC, NCLC, or the ABA Commission. This service is open to:

• Title III-B legal assistance providers
• Legal Services Corporation (LSC) providers
• State Legal Assistance Developers
• Elder law and consumer law attorneys in the public and private sectors
• Members of the judiciary
• Aging services staff of Area Agencies on Aging, ADRCs, and State Units on Aging
• Professionals and advocates within organizations serving older persons
• Long-term care ombudsman staff

The NLRC website also provides many updates and links of interest to advocates for the elderly.  NLRC’s partners will continue to develop its website and resources; advocates are encouraged to check out this helpful new tool!