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Elder Law Prof Blog
Katherine C. Pearson, Editor, and a Member of the Law Professor Blogs Network on LexBlog.com

Results of Access to Justice report on legal needs of Kentucky seniors

By Elder Law Prof Blog

Legal Needs of Older Kentuckians
Access to Justice Foundation
David Godfrey
535 West 2nd street # 101
Lexington, KY 40508
859-255-9913 ext 12

Highlights of the findings:

    * Nearly 12% of respondents reported being victims of some form of abuse
    * Only 21% of abuse victims reporting receiving help
    * Nearly 33% of the respondents report indicators of abuse, neglect or exploitation, but do not self report as being abused
    * Respondents reported wills, advance health care directives and powers of attorney as the issues they most need help with
    * Nearly 22% report problems with Social Security, Medicare and VA benefits
    * Over 57% of respondents report ongoing problems with telemarketers
    * Bill collectors are a problem for 13% of respondents
    * Over 15% reported problems with credit cards
    * Of those who thought about hiring a lawyer 42% did not do so because of cost
    * 37% of respondents did not recognize the name of any of the legal service providers in Kentucky
    * A legal hotline was the most requested form of legal assistance

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess the legal needs of persons age 60 and older living in Kentucky to serve as a baseline for development of programming to improve access to legal assistance by older Kentuckians.

Methodology:

This study was modeled on studies completed in Utah, Georgia and Florida. A standard survey instrument (questionnaire) was edited and adopted for use in Kentucky. Between May of 2007 and July of 2007 we distributed 2883 surveys and received back 706 completed surveys (24.49%.)The target sample for the study was lower income seniors. Two methods were used to distribute and collect data. Surveys were distributed and collected through senior centers and law student volunteers were recruited to locate seniors and assist them as needed in completing the surveys. This data was supplemented by a web-survey of legal aid providers and a focus group with long term care ombudsmen. The returned surveys were manually tabulated and the draft and final report was derived from the data.

The Final Report of the Study can be downloaded at: http://www.legalhotlines.org/library/KY_Legal_Needs_Study_Nov2007.pdf

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