The Legal Aid Justice Center and Master of Ceremonies John Grisham present Protecting Our Seniors, a program examining the current challenges the elderly face and the ways in which concerned community members can be involved. The evening’s events include the documentary Last Will and Embezzlement, which examines what can happen when our seniors become the target of financial scams, and a panel discussion of experts on related topics. Protecting Our Seniors will help shed light on the importance of maintaining quality care, stopping abuse, and making critical changes that can help ensure a stable future for low-income elderly.
Featured Participants:
• John Grisham – Host and Master of Ceremonies
• Tim Heaphy – Keynote Speaker, U.S. Attorney, Western District of Virginia
• Alex R. Gulotta – Executive Director, Legal Aid Justice Center
• Claire Curry – Legal Director, Elder Law Initiative, Legal Aid Justice Center
• Emily Chewning – Elder Advocate
• Luv Berkley – LPN, Elder Caregiver, Trinity Mission Health and Rehab
The Problem
The number of elderly Virginians is expected to grow at a rate five times faster than the state’s total population growth rate between 1990 and 2025. Those needing long-term care could more than triple. In the greater Charlottesville area alone, there are currently more than 2,000 residents in nursing or assisted care facilities, and many more need quality care.
The elderly face a host of challenges, including financial exploitation and cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Eight in ten Virginians over the age of 50 worry about financial issues, and half have difficulty paying the monthly costs for household utilities. What protections exist for these vulnerable Virginians? How can the entire community be more involved in protecting our seniors?
About the Film – Last Will and Embezzlement
Last Will and Embezzlement, is a 23-minute documentary about the financial exploitation of the elderly. It features disturbing, first-hand accounts from real-life victims, including Hollywood icon Mickey Rooney. The film also includes in-depth interviews with experts who discuss such key issues as victim profiles, the perpetrators’ modus operandi, reasons for vulnerability, and potential solutions to this growing problem.