I recently had the chance to sit down with Mitzi Naucler to discuss her job of assisting low income seniors with legal questions. Naucler is the Regional Director for Legal Aid of Linn and Benton counties. Legal Aid is a service that is supported in part by Federal funds and a key component of the Older Americans Act, which is designed to empower older persons to "remain independent, healthy, and safe within their homes and communities for as long as possible." There are Legal Aid services provided by staff attorneys in Albany serving Linn and Benton counties and an office in Newport serving Lincoln County.

The challenges of providing legal assistance for low income older adults can be frustrating. There are 13 Legal Aid offices throughout the state, and Naucler estimates that across Oregon there are about 3,500 low income seniors for every staff attorney working in Legal Aid offices across the state. In order to manage in an environment where demand could overwhelm the local capacity to provide services, priorities are set and choices must be made.

The local priorities are to help low income citizens maintain benefits and income, help retain housing and prevent homelessness and to work with victims of domestic violence. During our conversation she consulted a report of recent activities and told me that help with financial issues such as repossessions and collections are the most requested service. Assisting with housing issues and supporting clients with medical and health care issues run close behind.

In our region, Legal Aid staff attorneys are available through one of our senior centers by appointment. They visit each of the centers in Corvallis, Albany, Newport, Lebanon and Sweet Home on a monthly basis to advise people who have a question or issue. The offices are also open for a visit or a phone call to assess whether the caller qualifies on the basis of income as well as the specific issue that is being brought to the agency. Both of these criteria must be met in order to receive assistance.

I asked Naucler about her perception of the gaps in assisting seniors and she cited that based on the calls and the needs, the organization is only able to meet about 20 percent of the need in the community. Limited staff and funding issues prevent them from helping more. There is a high demand for assistance with estate issues such as wills and advice on writing a power of attorney and health care directives. When I asked about additional issues, Mitzi mentioned that she has seen an increase in the lack of medical services in the rural parts of our region and limited medical service availability for those who are isolated and living on a fixed income. She is also concerned by the lack of residential options, such as Assisted Living Facilities for those on the Medicaid Program.

As we were finishing up our conversation, I asked if there was one piece of advice that she could pass along to the reader, what it would be. She told me that when grandparents co-sign on a car loan or a mortgage for a house, many older adults do not realize that they are agreeing to become liable for the debt of a new car or a new house. They may trust that a financial crisis will never happen in the family, and they will never need to become responsible for paying the debt. Her advice is to think twice before signing any papers that could put you in a vulnerable financial position.

Scott Bond is the Director of Senior and Disability Services for Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, the Area Agency on Aging for Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties. He can be reached at 541-812-6008 or by e-mail at sbond@ocwcog.org.