Below are guided online modules in English and Spanish that describe medical savings benefits that may be available to you in addition to medicaid or medicare benefits. For more information, please view the modules below.
https://www.idaholegalaid.org/
https://www.idaholegalaid.org/
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For more information on common financial scams and how to report them to the appropriate agencies or officials, please review our Common Financial Scams Flyer or Brochure below.
For other information regarding common digital scams, please visit: https://www.seniorlifestyle.com/resources/blog/protect-your-parents-from-common-digital-traps/.
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This brochure provides information on different ways to manage decision-making as we age.
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This brochure was created by Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. and provides general legal advice to seniors regarding Power of Attorneys, Living Wills, Wills, etc.
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Below are modules (guided informational programs) created by Idaho Legal Aid Services relating to End of Life Planning in Idaho, such as Power of Attorneys, Living Wills, Wills, etc.. The modules are available in English and Spanish.
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Seniors and their family, neighbors, friends and caregivers will find this Guide helpful. The Guide gives general information about legal issues that seniors frequently encounter and offers practical options for each situation. It will also give direction on where to look and who to call for more detailed information.
No guidebook can cover every single legal issue or give advice on your unique situation. However, we hope that this Guide will give you a better understanding of what to expect, what questions to ask, and what you can do next.
This Guide is not copyrighted. Any of its pages may be copied so the information is accessible to anyone who wants or needs it. We encourage you to view and download a copy of the Guide online at www.idaholegalaid.org.
You may need to talk to a lawyer about your unique situation. This Guide gives general information on legal issues. It is not a substitute for an opinion from an attorney or legal advice about your particular case. It also does not create an attorney-client relationship with Idaho Legal Aid Services or anybody else.
Your Safety First: Know about elder abuse
Your Lawyer: Do you need one?
Your Money: Scams, Contracts, Debt, Bankruptcy, Benefits, Income
Your Health: Medicare, Medicaid, Paying for Long Term Care
Your Home: Renters’ Rights, Homeowners Rights
Your Family: Guardianships, Grandchildren, Divorce
Your Future: Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Wills, Probate
Your Rights: Legal “Self Defense” Tips, Court System Basics
This project was supported, in part, by grant number 90LE0007-01-00, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
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The Idaho Senior Legal Risk Detector is a joint project of Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. and ProBono.Net. The purpose of the risk detector is detect issues for seniors or the elderly related to housing, debt, financial exploitation, healthcare, and abuse and to do so quickly and accurately.
To determine whether you, as a senior are at risk, or whether a loved one who is a senior is at risk, please visit our Idaho Senior Legal Risk Detector to answer some questions:
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This guide by the Self-Advocacy Speaker's Network details how supported decision making may be an alternative to a guardianship for a disabled adult.
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Elder Abuse has many forms. It can mean any mistreatment of a senior. Examples include confinement, neglect, abandonment, bodily injury, unwanted sexual contact, verbal intimidation and threats, and financial exploitation.
Myth: “We don't have that problem in our community.”
Fact: Abuse is often not seen or recognized.
Some people believe that elder abuse is not a problem in their community. Unfortunately, every community, no matter the size, nationality, income, or religion, has its share of invisible seniors suffering from abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Myth: “It's just part of growing old.”
Fact: Abuse is preventable. It should not be tolerated by anyone.
Every senior deserves respect, and no one should tolerate abuse. No senior should be physically harmed, deprived of food or medicine, sexually harassed, unreasonably coerced to live where they don’t want to, or have their money or property misused or stolen.
Elder Abuse May Look Like:
Civil remedies. If you are the victim of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, one remedy you have is the ability to revoke a power of attorney document if the person named in that document is not acting in your interest. You also have the option of bringing a civil lawsuit against an abusive party. A civil lawsuit is a non-criminal case that seeks money to compensate for physical or financial harms. For example, if an adult child took money from a senior’s bank account without her permission, a civil lawsuit could be filed to try and get the money returned. If you are interested in pursuing a civil lawsuit, you may want to talk with an attorney about your case. Another option available to victims of physical or sexual abuse is the Civil Protection Order (CPO), which orders an abusive family member or household member to stay away from you. To get a CPO, you apply at the local courthouse and give a sworn statement. A free CPO form is also available at idaholegalaid.org.
Criminal remedies. Criminal remedies are focused on punishing a person who has violated the law. Several Idaho laws protect seniors from fraud, theft, physical abuse, neglect, and unwanted sexual contact. If you suspect that you are a victim of a crime, you can call the police and they will investigate. Filing criminal charges can be helpful in ensuring your safety by getting an abuser behind bars and because you can request a No Contact Order in some criminal cases.
You shouldn’t have to live in fear or violence.
You don’t deserve abuse.
It’s not your fault if someone is abusing you.
You can make decisions for yourself.
People should have your permission to make decisions for you.
You can find help.
Many people have experienced what you are going through.
If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.
If you are suffering from ongoing abuse or neglect, call Adult Protection Services. Adult Protection Investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. Adult Protection can work with the police, Health and Welfare, nursing homes, banks and lawyers to investigate and address cases of abuse and neglect.
If you, a neighbor, friend, or family member is suffering abuse or neglect at the hands of an another person, call Adult Protection Services. You can learn more about Adult Protection on the Idaho Commission on Aging’s website: www.aging.idaho.gov.
Justice Alliance for Vulnerable Adults
The Idaho Justice Alliance for Vulnerable Adults (JAVA) is a network of organizations and individuals working to prevent elder abuse through action and education. JAVA’s vision is to help its members work together towards an Idaho where every vulnerable adult is visible and valued. You can visit their website at javaidaho.org.
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County |
Adult Protection Services |
Ombudsman |
|
Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, & Shoshone |
(208) 667-3179 or 1-800-786-5536 |
(208) 667-3179 x 223 1-800-786-5536 |
|
Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, & Nez Perce |
(208) 743-5580 or 1-800-877-3206 |
(208) 798-4195 1-800-877-3206 |
|
Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, & Washington |
(208) 898-7060 or 1-844-850-2883 |
(208) 898-7060 1-844-850-2883 |
|
Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, & Twin Falls |
(208) 736-2122 or 1-800-574-8656 |
(208) 933-2396 1-800-574-8656 |
|
Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, & Power |
(208) 233-4032 or 1-800-526-8129
|
(208) 233-4032 x 804 1-800-526-8129 |
|
Butte, Bonneville, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, & Teton |
(208) 522-5391 or 1-800-632-4813 |
(208) 522-5370 x 1031 1-800-632-4813 |
The Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA) helps provide Idaho’s seniors with basic necessities like transportation, nutrition, in-home services, and respite care. ICOA helps seniors remain independent and avoid going into an institution.
Aging and Disability Resource Center
Visit the Aging and Disability Resource Center at www.aging.idaho.gov to find helpful information for people planning long term care, to get help applying for government benefits, and to get answers to many of seniors’ most common questions about their rights and options. You can also contact the ADRC by calling 1-800-926-2588.
Area Agencies on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging in Idaho help seniors with many types of problems. Your local AAA may be able to help you with these services:
Ombudsmen
Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They provide information about how to find a facility and what to do to get quality care. They are trained to resolve problems. If you want, the ombudsman can assist you with complaints. However, unless you give the ombudsman permission to share your concerns, these matters are kept confidential.
For more information about these services, call your local AAA office, the numbers are listed above, or visit aging.idaho.gov.
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