Media Releases

Legal Forum for Seniors Month

Do you know what to look out for in aged care and retirement village contracts? Do you know about recent changes in the law about medical decision-making in Victoria? If your answer is no, come and learn from the experts!

 Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is pleased to announce that the Centre will be hosting a FREE forum for seniors month together with Seniors Rights Victoria and Peninsula Advisory Committee for Elders. The event is proudly sponsored by the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

The forum will address some of the most important issues people are faced with during their lifetime – planning for their retirement and decision-making as they age. Seniors are invited to attend the forum to learn about some of the most common legal issues affecting older people from experts in the field.

The keynote speaker, John Corcoran AM, is a Principal and former Chairman of Russell Kennedy Lawyers, a prominent Australian law firm which advises leading providers of aged care and retirement living. John’s talk will give seniors a better understanding of retirement village and aged care living and the contracts offered. Speakers from PCLC and Seniors Rights Victoria will talk about elder abuse, an issue that has recently received attention with the announcement of a Royal Commission into elder abuse and media revelations about poor standards of care in some aged-care facilities, as well as recent changes to medical decision-making laws in Victoria. The changes in the law have introduced the ability to appoint a medical treatment decision-maker and to make advanced care directives that are legally binding.

PCLC encourages seniors who want to learn more about the tips and traps of proper planning for their retirement and decision-making as they age to attend this forum. There will be a chance to ask questions in a Q & A session with the panel of experts.

The Legal Matters and Ageing Forum will be held at the Safety Beach Community Centre, 185 Marine Drive Safety Beach on Tuesday 16 October 2018 from 10.30am – 1:00pm. Morning tea will be provided. The forum is free, but bookings are essential.

PCLC is a not for profit organisation that provides free advice on most legal issues, with ongoing assistance available for clients experiencing disadvantage. The Centre’s head office is in Frankston, with branches in Bentleigh, Cranbourne, Frankston North and Rosebud, as well as visiting services in Chelsea and Hastings.

Seniors Rights Victoria provides information on issues such as elder abuse and how to safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, please contact their free confidential Helpline: 1300 368 821

To register for the forum, go to https://pclclegalmattersforum.eventbrite.com.au,

or call Peninsula Community Legal Centre on (03) 9783 3600, email pclc@pclc.org.au, or visit www.pclc.org.au.

26 September 2018

CONTACT:

Kirsten Young

Community Engagement Officer

PENINSULA COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE INC.