Elder Law is a book for the legal practitioners, financial advisors, allied health professionals and medical practitioners working with older Australians. It is also a comprehensive and practical book for academics teaching the elder law advisors of the future.

The book takes a multifaceted approach to the issues facing older Australians and is structured around key questions including:

- Who will make decisions for me if I am unable to?
- How can I record my decisions in advance so people can make decisions that align with my preferences?
- What services are available to support me?
- Where will I live?
- How do I plan a secure financial future for myself and my loved ones?

It responds to these questions in 20 chapters, each written by experts who are actively engaged in the field. Chapters address issues such as: supported and substitute decision-making including substitute decision-making instruments; the roles of tribunals hearing guardianship and financial matters; the accommodation options available to older Australians and the financial implications of these choices; financial issues including superannuation and Centrelink benefits, and financial elder abuse; and older age discrimination.

CONTENTS

Preface
About the Contributors
Table of Cases
Table of Statutes

Part I – Introduction

1. Overview of Elder Law - Karen Williams, Carolyn Sappideen, Michael Perkins and Sue Field

Part II – Your Capacity to Make Decisions

2. Tribunals and Statutory Authorities - Anita Smith
3. Assessment of Decision-Making Capacity - Peteris Darzins
4. Powers of Attorney - Ray Ward
5. Enduring Guardianship - Karen Williams
6. Advance Care Directives - Cameron Stewart
7. Supported Decision-Making - John Chesterman

Part III – Where You Live: Support Services and Accommodation Options

8. National Disability Insurance Scheme - Bill Madden, Janine McIlwraith and Ruanne Brell
9. Commonwealth Home Support Programme - Karen Williams
10. Granny Flats - Sue Field
11. Boarding Houses - Carolyn Sappideen
12. Mobile, Relocatable, Manufactured Homes and Lifestyle Resorts - Carolyn Sappideen
13. Retirement Villages - Sean McCarthy
14. Residential Aged Care Facilities and Home Care - Brian Herd

Part IV – Funding Your Retirement: Sources of Income and Risk

15. Government Pensions and Benefits - Adam Steen
16. Superannuation - Michael Perkins
17. Reverse Mortgages - Adam Steen and James Taggart
18. Financial Abuse - Teresa Somes and Eileen Webb

Part V – Your Estate

19. Your Estate - Robert Monahan and Julia Monahan

Part VI – A Fair Go

20. Discrimination - Meredith Blake

Bibliography

Index