Episode 122. ElderLawAnswers National Director Rebecca A. Hobbs speaks with Brittany Maynard’s husband, Dan Diaz, who talks about his advocacy work for right-to-die laws. Brittany Maynard transformed the conversation about death with dignity after she learned that she had terminal brain cancer and bravely decided to share her story with the world through the organizationCompassion Choices. Since Brittany’s passing on Nov 1, 2014, her husband Dan has been working to fulfill his promise to Brittany to advocate for Medical Aid and Dying and Death with Dignity and have legislation passed in various states.

“I won’t live to see the death-with-dignity movement reach critical mass, but I call on you to carry it forward.” – Brittany Maynard (http://thebrittanyfund.org/)

Episode 121. After being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2014, Brittany Maynard made headlines when she decided to use medication to end her own life at the age of 29. ElderLawAnswers National Director Rebecca A. Hobbs speaks with Brittany’s husband, Dan Diaz, to share the story of Brittany.

“My dream is that every terminally ill American has access to the choice to die on their own terms with dignity. Please take an active role to make this a reality.” – Brittany Maynard(http://thebrittanyfund.org/)

Episode 116 - Guest: Dari Pogach, Staff Attorney, ABA Commission on Law and Aging American Bar Association

In this episode, National Director of ElderLawAnswers, Rebecca Hobbs, continues her conversation with Dari Pogach, staff attorney for the ABA Commision on Law and Aging on Guardianship reform in the United States. Dari discusses legislative trends that are occurring nationally and challenges that states are facing. Ms. Pogach also discusses ways that elder law attorneys can get involved locally and nationally with guardianship reform. Dari also discusses the ABA’s Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS) project, a project to support court-led partnerships in states to drive changes in guardianship policy and practice.

Episode 115: Guardianship Challenges and Reform (part 1)

Guest: Dari Pogach, Staff Attorney, ABA Commission on Law and Aging American Bar Association

In this episode, Dari Pogach, staff attorney for the ABA Commision on Law and Aging speaks with National Director of Elder Law Answers, Rebecca Hobbs, on issues and challenges that states are facing with guardianships. Dari discusses issues that are affecting the lives of people with guardians as well as alternatives to guardianship such as supportive decision making. Dari discusses recent media coverage of guardianship issues and the reform that must happen to help to address these concerns.

Episode 114:  In this episode Teepa Snow joins National Director of ElderLawAnswers for Attorney’s Rebecca A. Hobbs to discuss interview and communication skills that elder law attorneys should be well versed in and should utilize when working with a client that has dementia. Teepa provides practical tips on environmental factors such as noise, lights, and seating arrangements that help to improve effective communication. She also discusses the need to use language that is more easily understood and how to make sure that your client with dementia is understanding what you are saying and not just being agreeable.

Guest: Teepa Snow, Today’s Voice for Dementia. Teepa Snow, is one of the world’s leading advocates and educators for individuals living with Dementia. In this episode Teepa Snow joins National Director of ElderLawAnswers for Attorney’s Rebecca A. Hobbs in a thought provoking and refreshingly honest discussion on Dementia. Teepa founded Positive Approach, LLC, in 2006 and through her organization she offers person centered training opportunities in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

In this episode, Teepa discusses the different types of dementia and provides information on recent developments that make a difference in our elder law practice.Teepa also addresses different screenings for dementia and how to determine if your client has received the proper assessment.