Protecting Your Rights
|
There are a variety of senior legal services and adult protective services available to help you continue to make informed decisions about things like spelling out your healthcare wishes, stopping physical or mental abuse, or protecting yourself from fraud. SeniorsPlus can guide you to the resources you'll need to preserve your rights. |
Legal Services for the Elderly
If you are in need of legal advice, call the Legal Services for the Elderly Hotline at 1-800-750-5353. If you are 60 years or older, services are provided free of charge. Legal Services for the Elderly is a non-profit organization in Maine committed to protecting the independence and dignity of older persons. A representative will assist you over the telephone, or if your situation requires extended representation, they will refer you to the lawyer at the SeniorsPlus offices in Lewiston for a consultation. (8 Falcon Road, Lewiston)
Hotline Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays
Legal Services for the Elderly can help you with problems and questions related to:
- Medicaid and Medicare
- Nursing homes, boarding homes and home health care
- Losing money or property to a relative, friend or scam artist
- Physical or mental abuse
- Power of Attorney and Living Wills
- Housing, such as evictions
- Overdue bill and debt collectors
Advocacy
We can help you deal with a situation that has become overwhelming. Call SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241 if you need support in getting better access to existing or additional services. We're available to assist you or speak on your behalf.
More Resources
Adult Protective Services
If you need help dealing with abuse directed at you or someone you know, call us. We will put you in touch with an Adult Protective Services caseworker who will investigate your situation.
Long Term Care Ombudsman
The Ombudsman (a private, non-profit agency) are specially trained advocates who are given authority under Federal and Maine law to investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, long term care consumers.
Office of Aging and Disabilty Services
Department of Health and Human Services, State of Maine Refer to the section on Knowing Your Rights for detailed information about Aging and Taking Care of Business, Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship, Adult Protective Services, Health Care Advance Directives, Health Insurance.
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
The Senior
Medicare Patrol (SMP) program provides Medicare beneficiaries with the most
current information on Medicare benefits and educates them on ways to identify
and prevent errors, waste, fraud and abuse of the Medicare system.
TRIAD
This is not an acronym. The term refers to the three founding organizations of Triad: AARP, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA).
Get involved in educating yourself and others about crime and fraud directed at seniors by joining a local TRIAD organization. TRIAD groups are made up of law enforcement officers, seniors and senior organizations like SeniorsPlus and AARP. Meetings are held to make seniors aware of scams and provide them with tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.
Androscoggin County TRIAD - (207) 784-6422 extension 375
Franklin County TRIAD - (207) 778-2680
Oxford County TRIAD - 1-800-733-1421