Southern Nevada Senior Law Program empowers seniors with Health Care Power of Attorney Workshop for Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Las Vegas, NV – Today, the Southern Nevada Senior Law Program (SLP) marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025 by hosting a vital Health Care Power of Attorney and Advance Directives Workshop at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior Center. This event is in partnership with the Clark County Bar Association (CCBA) that assisted in recruiting 20 pro bono attorneys to serve our Southern Nevada seniors.

The workshop provided free legal assistance to help seniors protect their healthcare decision-making rights and prevent potential elder exploitation. In 2024, Nevada Adult Protective Services reported an alarming number of 9,014 elder abuse cases statewide; 5,896 cases came from Clark County alone.

Approximately 50 attendees received personalized guidance from pro bono attorneys to complete Health Care Power of Attorney and Advance Directive documents. These legal forms allow individuals to designate trusted agents to make medical decisions if they become incapacitated.

“Advance healthcare planning is one of our most effective tools against elder abuse and exploitation,” said Diane Fearon, Executive Director of Senior Law Program. “When older Nevadans document their wishes, they maintain control over critical life decisions and reduce opportunities for exploitation. This workshop gave our community both protection and peace of mind.”

The workshop addressed a growing need in Southern Nevada. According to the National Institutes of Health, less than half of older adults have healthcare powers of attorney or advance directives, leaving them vulnerable to unwanted medical treatments or family disputes, or elder exploitation. This event helped close the justice gap while raising awareness of elder abuse prevention strategies.

For those that were unable to attend, Senior Law Program continues to offer free Health Care Power of Attorney assistance through its regular services. The organization encourages community members to share this resource with vulnerable seniors and consider supporting its mission through donations or pro bono work.