TESTIMONY
Elisa Tustian, Supervising Attorney at Senior Law Project, VOLS, on Advanced Directives for Older Adults
2:31:33
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124 sec
Elisa Tustian discusses the necessity of advanced directives for older adults to secure their futures.
- The Senior Law Project offers key services like wills and powers of attorney, focusing on those 60+ with low income.
- Over 700 documents have been drafted, benefiting over 2000 older New Yorkers this fiscal year.
- Many older adults lack future planning due to misconceptions about their assets' value or legal needs.
- Without proper directives, older adults face risks of homelessness, loss of income, and complex legal battles.
- Tustian emphasizes the project's hands-on approach and the significance of continued support for their services.
Elisa Tustian
2:31:33
Good afternoon, Chair Hudson.
2:31:35
My name is Ellie Cemento.
2:31:36
This is Testing, and I am a supervising attorney with the senior law project at consultated legal service.
2:31:41
At Voles, the senior law project is the largest project we have.
2:31:44
We serve low income New Yorkers 60 plus by providing last will and testament to power of attorney health our proxies and other essential advanced directives.
2:31:51
These life planning documents allow our clients to maintain income, avoid homelessness, and ensure that their dying wishes are fulfilled.
2:31:57
During the current fiscal year, they will see a little project together with pro bono power drafted over 700 life planning documents and served over 2000 older adult New Yorkers.
2:32:05
Sadly, too few older adults have poor planning for the future, and we received many calls from distressed loved ones, many lower income adults think that because they do not have great resources or wealth to pass on to the next generation, they do not need to have advanced directors in place, or they incorrectly believe that their children will be able to automatic access their finances when the time of need comes.
2:32:24
Meanwhile, an older adult who has executed a power of attorney authorizes their agents to seek a government benefit on their behalf to pay for housing costs, to sign leases, to do annual recertifications for NICA, to apply for and recertify for screen benefits, and to deal with any issues may arise in their apartment.
2:32:41
Unfortunately, a caregiver without a power of attorney may find themselves powerless and forced to go through guardianship do the courts, and it can be expensive and lengthy.
2:32:49
A lengthy process, most low income families cannot afford to retain counsel for the Guardian filed filing, and it is an administrative burden on already tax timed families to represent themselves in these years.
2:33:01
Even if a caregiver petition successfully for guardianship at that point, an older adult may have already lost their home and much needed public benefit.
2:33:09
Whereas documents like a power of attorney can mitigate risks of losing their benefits, housing, and help them maintain the ability to age in place.
2:33:18
We're on the ground chair Hudson.
2:33:19
We walked up the steps at the 109th Street location when the elevator was down recently.
2:33:24
And visited the Fort Washington Avenue location after the flooding because of the recent rains.
2:33:30
We work we love working with you, and we ask that you continue to support at work so we can continue to be with the seniors of New York.
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Kevin J. Kiprovski, Director of Public Policy at Live On New York on the Needs of Older Adult Services and Council Funding
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Barbara Bear, Director of the Home Sharing and Respite Program, New York Foundation for Seniors on Home Sharing and Respite Care Program Funding and Outcomes