March 2021: March is Women’s History Month
Senior Citizens Legal Services (SCLS) is honoring Women's History Month by sharing an interview with Ellen Pirie, an inspiring attorney who served as the core of our organization for most of its history. In September 2020, when Executive Director Tanya Ridino replaced Creighton Mendivil, she had been aware that Creighton's predecessor had been Terry Hancock. But with just a little investigation she soon learned that everything Terry did at SCLS had been supported by the hard work of his wife and business partner, Ellen. Actually, the two formally switched back and forth in the role of Executive Director through the years! Read the Interview of Ellen Pirie below.
Ellen and Terry worked tirelessly to grow Senior Citizens Legal Services for over 30 years. SCLS was founded in 1972 as the first legal service organization geared to the needs of Senior Citizens and is the only organization in Santa Cruz County that focuses on direct legal service to the elderly.
SCLS continues to operate despite the pandemic. However, our services have been stretched to the limit, as shelter in place has forced us to work remotely and without the crucial assistance of our interns and volunteers. Because of the pandemic, we were also unable to hold our annual fundraiser gala this year, which is the main source of income beyond funding received from government contracts. While 2020 saw us serve over 4,000 seniors with information or referrals and over 600 with direct representation or limited scope services, we also saw a 925% increase in demand for services (measured by calls received). Of the clients we helped, 38% had issues related to COVID-19, such as assistance in obtaining unemployment benefits, renters needing help to stay in their homes, and more serious cases such as elder abuse.
While you have undoubtedly felt stretched to your own limits this past year, we ask you to step forward and help senior citizens receive the assistance they desperately need. We welcome your donation in any amount. And please consider supporting our legal service organization by becoming a Donating Member of SCLS. Generous monthly contributions give SCLS much-needed reliability in our budgeting. Donating Members will receive discounted admission to our 50th Anniversary Gala in February 2022, our monthly informational email helping you keep your finger on the pulse on issues impacting elders in our community, our occasional newsletter with a deeper look at pertinent legal issues, and our Pro Bono service opportunity list. Click HERE to Join the SCLS Team as a monthly Donating Member.
Recently, Tanya Ridino spoke with Ellen Pirie, former Executive Director of SCLS, to discuss our history and what it was like working as an attorney and Executive Director in our early years.
Q: Can you share a little about your legal career and especially what you did while with SCLS?
A: I graduated from the University of Oregon law school in 1976. My first job was as a staff attorney at Evergreen legal services in Walla Walla, Washington. In 1982 I left Walla Walla for a position in the Family Law Center of Multnomah County Legal Services in Portland, Oregon. California called to me in 1984 and I moved to Santa Cruz and took a position as the Staff Attorney at Senior Citizens Legal Services. I remained at Senior Legal until being elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in 2000.
Q: I know that Creighton Mendivil had been Executive Director of SCLS for almost ten years before I came on board and that Terry Hancock worked as Executive Director for almost 30 years before that. I now understand that you and Terry were a TEAM and would alternate jobs. Can you expand on that bit?
A: It's true that Terry and I would switch off the Directing Attorney position. Our running joke was that whoever drew the short straw was Directing Attorney at least until they could get the other to draw straws again [laughs]. After a while, we realized that he was better at litigation, and I was better at administration, so I stayed in the D.A. position for years. We really were a team and we both counted on the other to help do whatever needed doing, be it legal work, administrative work, supervising paralegals and volunteers, fundraising, or picking up the kids from Junior Guards. Of course, Terry was the Directing Attorney from 2000 on and ended up doing both the administrative tasks and the litigation.
Q: Since 1982, there have been significant changes in the workplace, particularly around women and sexism. What is your opinion and experience with the “glass ceiling” and what do you think about these problems as they were when you were in the field decades ago vs today?
A: When I started practicing law in Walla Walla I was the only female attorney and it was quite an experience. I didn't experience hostility or overt sexism, just curiosity and lots of flirting. The County Bar Association's Christmas Party that first year was a big deal because it had always been an all-male affair - no wives or dates. They were uncertain and a little perturbed about having me come but there was no way I wasn't going to go!
The situation has changed drastically since then with women in the majority in law school and probably in the field soon. A woman is no longer considered an oddity because she's a lawyer. I didn't experience the "glass ceiling", perhaps I wasn't ambitious enough to encounter it. I was able to do the things I wanted to do and have the jobs I wanted.
Ellen and Terry worked tirelessly to grow Senior Citizens Legal Services for over 30 years. SCLS was founded in 1972 as the first legal service organization geared to the needs of Senior Citizens and is the only organization in Santa Cruz County that focuses on direct legal service to the elderly.
SCLS continues to operate despite the pandemic. However, our services have been stretched to the limit, as shelter in place has forced us to work remotely and without the crucial assistance of our interns and volunteers. Because of the pandemic, we were also unable to hold our annual fundraiser gala this year, which is the main source of income beyond funding received from government contracts. While 2020 saw us serve over 4,000 seniors with information or referrals and over 600 with direct representation or limited scope services, we also saw a 925% increase in demand for services (measured by calls received). Of the clients we helped, 38% had issues related to COVID-19, such as assistance in obtaining unemployment benefits, renters needing help to stay in their homes, and more serious cases such as elder abuse.
While you have undoubtedly felt stretched to your own limits this past year, we ask you to step forward and help senior citizens receive the assistance they desperately need. We welcome your donation in any amount. And please consider supporting our legal service organization by becoming a Donating Member of SCLS. Generous monthly contributions give SCLS much-needed reliability in our budgeting. Donating Members will receive discounted admission to our 50th Anniversary Gala in February 2022, our monthly informational email helping you keep your finger on the pulse on issues impacting elders in our community, our occasional newsletter with a deeper look at pertinent legal issues, and our Pro Bono service opportunity list. Click HERE to Join the SCLS Team as a monthly Donating Member.
Recently, Tanya Ridino spoke with Ellen Pirie, former Executive Director of SCLS, to discuss our history and what it was like working as an attorney and Executive Director in our early years.
Q: Can you share a little about your legal career and especially what you did while with SCLS?
A: I graduated from the University of Oregon law school in 1976. My first job was as a staff attorney at Evergreen legal services in Walla Walla, Washington. In 1982 I left Walla Walla for a position in the Family Law Center of Multnomah County Legal Services in Portland, Oregon. California called to me in 1984 and I moved to Santa Cruz and took a position as the Staff Attorney at Senior Citizens Legal Services. I remained at Senior Legal until being elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in 2000.
Q: I know that Creighton Mendivil had been Executive Director of SCLS for almost ten years before I came on board and that Terry Hancock worked as Executive Director for almost 30 years before that. I now understand that you and Terry were a TEAM and would alternate jobs. Can you expand on that bit?
A: It's true that Terry and I would switch off the Directing Attorney position. Our running joke was that whoever drew the short straw was Directing Attorney at least until they could get the other to draw straws again [laughs]. After a while, we realized that he was better at litigation, and I was better at administration, so I stayed in the D.A. position for years. We really were a team and we both counted on the other to help do whatever needed doing, be it legal work, administrative work, supervising paralegals and volunteers, fundraising, or picking up the kids from Junior Guards. Of course, Terry was the Directing Attorney from 2000 on and ended up doing both the administrative tasks and the litigation.
Q: Since 1982, there have been significant changes in the workplace, particularly around women and sexism. What is your opinion and experience with the “glass ceiling” and what do you think about these problems as they were when you were in the field decades ago vs today?
A: When I started practicing law in Walla Walla I was the only female attorney and it was quite an experience. I didn't experience hostility or overt sexism, just curiosity and lots of flirting. The County Bar Association's Christmas Party that first year was a big deal because it had always been an all-male affair - no wives or dates. They were uncertain and a little perturbed about having me come but there was no way I wasn't going to go!
The situation has changed drastically since then with women in the majority in law school and probably in the field soon. A woman is no longer considered an oddity because she's a lawyer. I didn't experience the "glass ceiling", perhaps I wasn't ambitious enough to encounter it. I was able to do the things I wanted to do and have the jobs I wanted.
April 2021: Our Gratitude to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Senior Citizens Legal Services (SCLS) is grateful to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County for their recent Community Support Grant of $20 thousand to help provide free legal services to senior citizens.
Since 1982, Community Foundation Santa Cruz has had the privilege of stewarding charitable gifts from generous locals who wanted to see our community thrive. Together with their donors, they have awarded a total of $131 million to local community organizations. The majority of these funds are restricted to children, youth, and seniors and are focused on education, end of life care, youth development, historic preservation, and human services.
This generous grant will enable SCLS to continue to provide free legal services to seniors in the following areas:
While this grant helps SCLS immensely, our annual fundraising efforts have been enormously impacted by COVID-19. We welcome your donation in any amount to help make up this difference. And please consider supporting our legal service organization by becoming a Donating Member of SCLS. Generous monthly contributions give SCLS much-needed reliability in our budgeting. Donating Members will receive discounted admission to our 50th Anniversary Gala in February 2022, our monthly informational email helping you keep your finger on the pulse on issues impacting elders in our community, our occasional newsletter with a deeper look at pertinent legal issues, and our Pro Bono service opportunity list. Click HERE to Join the SCLS Team as a monthly Donating Member.
Since 1982, Community Foundation Santa Cruz has had the privilege of stewarding charitable gifts from generous locals who wanted to see our community thrive. Together with their donors, they have awarded a total of $131 million to local community organizations. The majority of these funds are restricted to children, youth, and seniors and are focused on education, end of life care, youth development, historic preservation, and human services.
This generous grant will enable SCLS to continue to provide free legal services to seniors in the following areas:
- Medicare and Medi-Cal
- Health insurance
- Elder abuse
- Social Security & SSI
- Age discrimination
- Consumer problems
- Debt collection defense
- Mobile home problems
- Tenant rights
- Nursing homes, residential care facilities, and patient rights
While this grant helps SCLS immensely, our annual fundraising efforts have been enormously impacted by COVID-19. We welcome your donation in any amount to help make up this difference. And please consider supporting our legal service organization by becoming a Donating Member of SCLS. Generous monthly contributions give SCLS much-needed reliability in our budgeting. Donating Members will receive discounted admission to our 50th Anniversary Gala in February 2022, our monthly informational email helping you keep your finger on the pulse on issues impacting elders in our community, our occasional newsletter with a deeper look at pertinent legal issues, and our Pro Bono service opportunity list. Click HERE to Join the SCLS Team as a monthly Donating Member.
May 2021: May is Older Americans Month
Senior Citizens Legal Services (SCLS) invites you to pause a moment in your day and honor the elders that have guided you through your lifetime. Your teachers, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. All those who learned their life lessons some years before you and did their best to share their wisdom. We all have an inherent duty to protect the elders in our lives, just as we would a young child. SCLS does our part to help seniors live decent lives free from abuse or neglect or discrimination. And we can't do it without your help! Please consider a donation to our organization, in any amount. Donations above $120 (just ten dollars a month) can be made in honor of the elder you choose and will be listed as such on the donation page of our SCLS website (please list the name of the elder you wish to honor in the 'Message of Support' section of donation page).
May is Older Americans Month and each year in May Senior Rally Day, a day of legislative advocacy and action, occurs to coincide with Older Americans Month. Today is Senior Rally Day and Senior Citizens Legal Services will be attending Senior Rally Day in order to help raise awareness among legislators and the Governor about senior issues during the time period when the May revision of the Governor’s annual budget is being finalized.
The event will be recorded and shared later on Facebook. We look forward to providing updates for you on the status of the Governor's Master Plan for Aging and the State Budget.
May is Older Americans Month and each year in May Senior Rally Day, a day of legislative advocacy and action, occurs to coincide with Older Americans Month. Today is Senior Rally Day and Senior Citizens Legal Services will be attending Senior Rally Day in order to help raise awareness among legislators and the Governor about senior issues during the time period when the May revision of the Governor’s annual budget is being finalized.
The event will be recorded and shared later on Facebook. We look forward to providing updates for you on the status of the Governor's Master Plan for Aging and the State Budget.
June 2021: Welcome Summer Solstice
Senior Citizens Legal Services (SCLS) has been working hard throughout the pandemic and is now joining the rest of the state in feeling excited about returning outdoors this summer post-vaccination. Seniors were perhaps the most vulnerable group during Covid, frequently isolated by strict policies. We're happy to share the list below of upcoming activities happening in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties to encourage getting out for some summer fun. Also, read about our client's success stories below!
Speaking of summer, we all know what that means...Amazon Prime Days! And don't forget that AmazonSmile is the easiest way to support Senior Citizens Legal Services while shopping for deals or shopping at any time for that matter, at no cost to you. Just click on AmazonSmile to activate on your web browser or in the amazon shopping App for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile with Senior Citizens Legal Services as your charity, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to SCLS. If you are already signed up with a different charity and would like to change to SCLS, see how to do that HERE.
Of course, a direct donation of any amount is always appreciated. SCLS does our part to help seniors live decent lives free from abuse or neglect or discrimination. And we can't do it without your help! Please consider a donation to our organization, in any amount. Click HERE to donate now!
Looking for some fun this summer? Here are some upcoming events of interest:
June 22: Sunset Beach Bowls: Experience the tranquility, peace and calmness as the ocean waves harmonize with the sound of Crystal Bowls raising your vibration and energy levels. Every Tuesday one hour before sunset at Moran Lake Beach. Call 831-333-6736 or see HERE for more details.
June 25: Food Truck Friday with live music at Skypark (Scott's Valley) 5:00-8:00 p.m. For more information call 831-438-3251.
June 25: Annual Woodies on the Wharf. 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m, Santa Cruz Wharf
June 27: Summer Outdoor Market at The Farm Bertuccio's Market, 2360 Airline Highway, Hollister. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
July 2: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Free First Fridays (no admission fee). www.santacruzmuseums.org
July 4: World's Shortest Parade for 4th of July in Aptos. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of Soquel Drive and State Park Drive and will continue to Trout Gulch Road.
July 16: West Cliff Food Truck Summer Series, Steamer Lane at West Cliff Drive, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
July 17: BurritoFest 2021, Bolado Park, Tres Pinos. 12:00-8:00 p.m.
August 3: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Free Movies on the Beach: The Wizard of OZ
August 6: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Free First Fridays (no admission fee). www.santacruzmuseums.org
August 20: West Cliff Food Truck Summer Series, Steamer Lane at West Cliff Drive, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Speaking of summer, we all know what that means...Amazon Prime Days! And don't forget that AmazonSmile is the easiest way to support Senior Citizens Legal Services while shopping for deals or shopping at any time for that matter, at no cost to you. Just click on AmazonSmile to activate on your web browser or in the amazon shopping App for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile with Senior Citizens Legal Services as your charity, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to SCLS. If you are already signed up with a different charity and would like to change to SCLS, see how to do that HERE.
Of course, a direct donation of any amount is always appreciated. SCLS does our part to help seniors live decent lives free from abuse or neglect or discrimination. And we can't do it without your help! Please consider a donation to our organization, in any amount. Click HERE to donate now!
Looking for some fun this summer? Here are some upcoming events of interest:
- Community Bridge's SENIOR CITIZENS WITHOUT WALLS continues to provide low-cost internet, free tablets and on-line classes to eligible low-income seniors.
- ZOOM SENIOR FITNESS CLASSES at the Louden Nelson Community Center:
- GENTLE YOGA: Monday/Wednesdays/Fridays: 10:00-11:30am
- CHAIR YOGA: Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9:00-10:00am
- BEGINNER LINE DANCING: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday at 9:30-10:30am
- AWAKEN TO TAI CHI & QI GONG: Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Fridays: 11:00-12:15pm
- BOOMER QI GONG (Ages 45+): Thursdays 1:30-2:30pm.
- GENTLE YOGA: Monday/Wednesdays/Fridays: 10:00-11:30am
- Thursdays: Santa Cruz Walking Adventure Group, 9:30-11:30. Downtown Seniors Walking Adventure Group started in Sept. 2015.
June 22: Sunset Beach Bowls: Experience the tranquility, peace and calmness as the ocean waves harmonize with the sound of Crystal Bowls raising your vibration and energy levels. Every Tuesday one hour before sunset at Moran Lake Beach. Call 831-333-6736 or see HERE for more details.
June 25: Food Truck Friday with live music at Skypark (Scott's Valley) 5:00-8:00 p.m. For more information call 831-438-3251.
June 25: Annual Woodies on the Wharf. 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m, Santa Cruz Wharf
June 27: Summer Outdoor Market at The Farm Bertuccio's Market, 2360 Airline Highway, Hollister. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
July 2: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Free First Fridays (no admission fee). www.santacruzmuseums.org
July 4: World's Shortest Parade for 4th of July in Aptos. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of Soquel Drive and State Park Drive and will continue to Trout Gulch Road.
July 16: West Cliff Food Truck Summer Series, Steamer Lane at West Cliff Drive, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
July 17: BurritoFest 2021, Bolado Park, Tres Pinos. 12:00-8:00 p.m.
August 3: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Free Movies on the Beach: The Wizard of OZ
August 6: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Free First Fridays (no admission fee). www.santacruzmuseums.org
August 20: West Cliff Food Truck Summer Series, Steamer Lane at West Cliff Drive, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
July 2021: Senior Citizens Legal Services Wants to Help YOU AVOID COURT CONSERVATORSHIPS with a Simple POA
You may have seen that conservatorships (and the crazy problems with them) have been in the news in recent months. A Conservatorship is established through a complicated court procedure and judicial order and removes most of an adult’s rights to make decisions for themselves. Some other states refer to conservatorships as “Guardianships”. In California, a guardianship refers to a case involving a minor and is when an adult other than a biological parent obtains the power to care for a minor.
There are two types of Conservatorships in California:
1. Probate Conservatorships are the most common and will be discussed more further below. These Conservatorships are based on the laws in the California Probate Code. Probate Conservatorships can be:
2. Lanterman-Petris-Short Conservatorships are used to care for adults with serious mental health illnesses and must be started by a local government agency.
State law mandates that conservatorships should only be utilized when it is the only way to meet the person’s needs. If there is another way - an alternative to the conservatorship - the court may not grant your petition. If a conservatorship is granted, the Court is going to want to know that the conservatee is being respected, listened to and that his or her wishes are being followed to the extent it is also in their best interest.
You may not need a conservatorship if the person who needs help:
Conservatorships take a lot of time, money, and many court forms to process. You do not have to hire an attorney to file with the court, but it can be a lot for many people to manage on their own. If you go through a private attorney, this process can cost thousands of dollars. While some non-profits offer free assistance for Guardianship filings (an equally grueling court proceeding) very few offer help with conservatorships. The Self-Help Center inside the Santa Cruz Superior Court does offer limited assistance with court conservatorship.
Overall, if possible, you want to avoid conservatorships! One simple tool to allow an individual to have a say in who will make decisions if they become incapacitated, without need for court involvement is to have arrangements made in advance, usually as part of an Estate Plan. These documents can also be done separately from an Estate Plan, and frequently if the individual does not have a large estate, these documents alone can suffice.
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document in which a Grantor (person) authorizes another individual to act on their behalf for financial matters. The POA continues if the Grantor becomes incapacitated. However, a Power of Attorney expires when the Grantor dies. The purpose of the POA is to ensure that the Grantor’s financial and legal matters are well taken care of in the event that they become incapacitated. A POA is either “springing” meaning it only goes into effect WHEN the Grantor loses capacity or is “immediate.” A POA is revocable, which means that the Grantor (or the principal) may revoke the Power of Attorney at any given time, so long as the Grantor still has capacity.
An Advanced Health Care Directive (AHCD) is similar to a POA but gives the Grantor the right to make medical decisions for an incapacitated person. The Grantor can make their wishes known in the Advanced Health Care Directive, which can be helpful to the Grantor if they need to make critical decisions regarding care.
Senior Citizens Legal Services recommends that everyone, young or old, create their (Springing) Power of Attorney, and Advanced Health Care Directive. There is no telling what might happen, and it can be a comfort to plan for the unforeseen. Senior Citizens Legal Services has been offering free legal services in Santa Cruz and San Benito County for nearly 50 years and can help seniors 60 years of age and older prepare these estate planning documents. Call 831.426.8824 to schedule your telephone or videophone intake, or you may also call our office to register for our upcoming webinar "Senior Wellness: POAs, AHCDs and Elder Abuse" scheduled Tuesday August 24, 2021, from 12-1 PM.
Preparations are also under way for planning our 2022 Golden Anniversary Charity Gala! If you would like to join the Development Committee to be part of the planning, then please give us a call 831.426. 8824
There are two types of Conservatorships in California:
1. Probate Conservatorships are the most common and will be discussed more further below. These Conservatorships are based on the laws in the California Probate Code. Probate Conservatorships can be:
- General Conservatorships: Conservatorship of adults who cannot take care of themselves or their finances. These conservatees are often elderly people but can also be younger people who have been seriously impaired (like in a car accident, for example).
- Limited Conservatorships: Conservatorships of adults with developmental disabilities (originating in their childhood) who cannot fully care for themselves or their finances. Limited conservatorships have statutory mandates and specific goals and objectives for the limited conservatee to encourage maximum self-reliance and independence by providing services resulting in more independent, productive, and normal lives. Cal. Prob. Code § 1801(d).
2. Lanterman-Petris-Short Conservatorships are used to care for adults with serious mental health illnesses and must be started by a local government agency.
State law mandates that conservatorships should only be utilized when it is the only way to meet the person’s needs. If there is another way - an alternative to the conservatorship - the court may not grant your petition. If a conservatorship is granted, the Court is going to want to know that the conservatee is being respected, listened to and that his or her wishes are being followed to the extent it is also in their best interest.
You may not need a conservatorship if the person who needs help:
- Can cooperate with a plan to meet his or her basic needs.
- Has the capacity and willingness to sign a power of attorney naming someone to help with his or her finances or health-care decisions. (Senior Citizens Legal Services is available to assist with this).
- Has only social security or welfare income every month and the Social Security Administration can appoint you Representative Payee. The Representative Payee is the person the beneficiary allows to receive social security checks in his or her name on behalf of the beneficiary.
- Is married or is in a domestic partnership and the spouse or partner can handle financial transactions. The property must be community property or in joint accounts.
Conservatorships take a lot of time, money, and many court forms to process. You do not have to hire an attorney to file with the court, but it can be a lot for many people to manage on their own. If you go through a private attorney, this process can cost thousands of dollars. While some non-profits offer free assistance for Guardianship filings (an equally grueling court proceeding) very few offer help with conservatorships. The Self-Help Center inside the Santa Cruz Superior Court does offer limited assistance with court conservatorship.
Overall, if possible, you want to avoid conservatorships! One simple tool to allow an individual to have a say in who will make decisions if they become incapacitated, without need for court involvement is to have arrangements made in advance, usually as part of an Estate Plan. These documents can also be done separately from an Estate Plan, and frequently if the individual does not have a large estate, these documents alone can suffice.
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document in which a Grantor (person) authorizes another individual to act on their behalf for financial matters. The POA continues if the Grantor becomes incapacitated. However, a Power of Attorney expires when the Grantor dies. The purpose of the POA is to ensure that the Grantor’s financial and legal matters are well taken care of in the event that they become incapacitated. A POA is either “springing” meaning it only goes into effect WHEN the Grantor loses capacity or is “immediate.” A POA is revocable, which means that the Grantor (or the principal) may revoke the Power of Attorney at any given time, so long as the Grantor still has capacity.
An Advanced Health Care Directive (AHCD) is similar to a POA but gives the Grantor the right to make medical decisions for an incapacitated person. The Grantor can make their wishes known in the Advanced Health Care Directive, which can be helpful to the Grantor if they need to make critical decisions regarding care.
Senior Citizens Legal Services recommends that everyone, young or old, create their (Springing) Power of Attorney, and Advanced Health Care Directive. There is no telling what might happen, and it can be a comfort to plan for the unforeseen. Senior Citizens Legal Services has been offering free legal services in Santa Cruz and San Benito County for nearly 50 years and can help seniors 60 years of age and older prepare these estate planning documents. Call 831.426.8824 to schedule your telephone or videophone intake, or you may also call our office to register for our upcoming webinar "Senior Wellness: POAs, AHCDs and Elder Abuse" scheduled Tuesday August 24, 2021, from 12-1 PM.
Preparations are also under way for planning our 2022 Golden Anniversary Charity Gala! If you would like to join the Development Committee to be part of the planning, then please give us a call 831.426. 8824