While some people may not wish to discuss issues such as long term care options and living wills during the holidays, the Tucson-based National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) says there a post-holiday surge of seniors and family members seeking advice on just those topics.

“As opposed to when a family might come together because of a crisis, holiday gatherings actually offer a good time to discuss important issues for the future,” says Ann Krauss, communications director for NAELA. “Things like power of attorney, health care and living options, catastrophic illness, long term care insurance and estate planning, these are all things families should and do discuss when everyone is together and in good spirits. The elder law industry sees a surge in inquires shortly after the start of the new year.”

As the holidays often provide the occasion for families to come together after a long separation, this is the time when elderly members’ frailty, health issues and beginnings of dementia may first become apparent. Family members can begin to take the initiative and start the process to address changes ahead. In addition to traditional legal services, the elder law industry provides counsel on helping seniors and their adult children sort through the options to find solutions to housing challenges. This segment of elder law services has doubled in volume is the last six to seven years.

“Most people want to stay at home as long as possible, and there are more ways now to

do that, but at some point it often becomes an insurmountable burden on family caregivers,” says Donna Bashaw, president of NAELA. “They often come to us for help.”

For more information on elder law, visit www.naela.org.