Sarah Jenkins Leads Indiana State Bar's Elder Law Month Initiative

With almost 40 million Americans over the age of 65, planning for health and legal needs is essential. Sarah Jenkins co-chaired the Indiana State Bar Association's 2011 Elder Law Month Initiative, meant to educate seniors about advance planning through health care directives and encourage attorneys to give back to seniors across the state. Nearly 50 attorneys from 25 Indiana counties presented to more than 500 seniors on health care powers of attorney, appointment of health care representatives and living wills. Lawyers also provided pro bono drafting of health care directives to approximately 80 seniors.

A March 2012 Res Gestae column, co-authored by Jenkins, outlined the purpose of and need for the Elder Law Month Initiative, reviewed the success of the first program and encouraged attorneys to become involved in Elder Law Month. Leaders of the State Bar sections that co-founded this program jointly received the ISBA Presidential Citation in fall 2011 for their contribution to Indiana citizens.