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Library Journal Review
This is a practical and useful resource for older adults as well as for those concerned with providing for their legal interests. Similar in content and format to John Regan and the Legal Council for the Elderly's Your Legal Rights in Later Life (American Assn. of Retired Persons, 1989), the current work goes a little bit further by adding a special section that consists of an annotated list of organizations, publications, and other media to which the reader can turn for further inquiry. The first section consists of eight chapters counseling older adults in the legal and financial aspects of personal autonomy (e.g., living wills, guardianship, and commitment); income security (e.g., age discrimination, private pension management, IRAs, Social Security, income supplements, and taxes); healthcare (Medicare and Medicaid); housing; consumer issues; family law; and estate planning. The second section includes a glossary as well as the aforementioned list. Published in large print, this guide is essential for public libraries.-- Philip Y. Blue, Dowling Coll. Lib., Oakdale, N.Y. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
The aging of the U.S. population has created a need for information geared toward older adults. With the publication of this new volume, ABC-Clio's Choices and Challenges: An Older Adult Reference series has now issued nine titles designed to address this need. The latest volume deals with legal issues and provides basic background on eight common areas of law in which seniors might have reason to seek guidance. The first section of the book is divided into eight chapters that cover legal services, personal autonomy, income security, health care, housing, consumerism, family law, and estate planning. Each chapter begins with a list of basic facts that apply to the main topic. This is followed by a brief introductory overview of the topic. The chapter then expands on the facts and on the introduction. For example, the basics and the introduction to the income-security chapter present facts about Social Security, SSI, private pensions, and age-discrimination laws. The body of the chapter expands on this by explaining what Social Security is, who is eligible, how to file for benefits, and how to appeal a decision. The same detailed discussion is provided for other topics covered by the book. The information is clearly written, logically organized, and easily understood. The use of large print is a distinct advantage for older users. The second section of the book is a two-part resource list. A directory of organizations is topically arranged according to the chapter headings in the first section of the book. It also includes a general category covering such organizations as AARP, Gray Panthers, and the ABA. Nonprofit, for-profit, government, and professional agencies are represented. Each entry contains the group's address, telephone number, contact name, service description, and publications. The second part of the resource section is a list of reference materials (print and nonprint) that supplement the information in part 1. Print materials are subdivided into loose-leaf services, books, booklets, pamphlets, and articles. With the exception of the loose-leaf services, all titles are annotated, and bibliographic information is provided. Nonprint sources include electronic databases, software, and audiovisual material (film, video, and slides). Format, source, and cost are provided for software and length, date, cost, and/or rental fee for audiovisual material. The entries are indexed by topic and by title. This section also includes a glossary of terms. The information and format of the book are similar to that in Your Legal Right in Later Life (AARP, 1989). The latter title does not include a resources section, but it does discuss federal income tax law and nursing-home rights, neither of which are covered in the work under review. The strength of Legal Issues and Older Adults lies in its clarity of presentation of information emphasizing the older adult's options and means of legal recourse in specific situations. Its organization and ease of use make it a valuable resource for older adults and their advocates and for library reference desks. (Reviewed June 1993)
