Contact Us
For more information about this program, contact James Pietsch at (808) 956-6544 or by email.
University of Hawai‘i Elder Law Program
Overview
The University of Hawai‘i Elder Law Program (UHELP) at the William S. Richardson School of Law celebrates thirty years of tireless dedication to ensuring one of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in our community—our kupuna, or elders—are provided with resources to navigate their care. From publications to community programming, UHELP has been a staple at the Law School for ensuring access to justice. Detailed information about UHELP can be found at the University of Hawai‘i Elder Law Program website.
Education, Research, and Scholarship
UHELP offers courses and resources designed to prepare lawyers and medical professionals for the intricacies of navigating some of the most important but tough issues faced by individuals and families. The courses, which focus on law and aging, medicine, and bioethics, provide tools to support student growth and success in this specialized area of law.
Community Outreach
UHELP has an attorney/professor, a program administrator/legal assistant, and sometimes has a student law clerk. UHELP operates throughout the academic year and provides basic legal assistance, advice, information and referral. UHELP is not permitted to assist with business or criminal law matters or with personal injury or other fee-generating cases. You may qualify for services if: you are a resident of Oʻahu, you are 55 years or older and have limited income and assets, or if you are a caregiver of an older person on Oʻahu and need legal assistance on behalf of the older person. Each case is evaluated according to its own merits and in accordance with staff capabilities and limited resources.
UHELP invites our island community to attend various outreach programs designed to help kupuna and their caregivers. Each year we sponsor our annual “‘Nite’ of the Living Will,” during which we provide instruction and material to complete an Advance Healthcare Directive. During the Spring and Fall semesters, we may sponsor other seminars that help “decide what matters and what to do.”
Supporting Veterans
UHELP attempts to integrate students, and especially student veterans, into the traditional elder law program. Veteran students often have their own particular needs due to their service and veteran clients may require a different model of how legal services are delivered. For example, a veteran suffering from PTSD may be more inclined to accept help when another veteran, who might also have been in a combat zone, provides services. Veterans with traumatic brain injury as well as those with some form of dementia will need the services of “dementia-qualified” professionals, as may other older persons receiving services from UHELP.
The University of Hawai‘i Elder Law Program (UHELP) recently celebrated 30 years of service to the university and to the community. Its motto is “plan for the worst to expect the best.”
Scholarship & Legal Resources
New and Helpful, Concise information especially for Caregivers: Especially for caregivers, Deciding to Navigate Elder Care [PDF, 53.4MB] is designed around a “planning for a lifetime” approach that takes into consideration personal, legal, financial, social, and healthcare needs. It tries to point out the need for careful planning, but also leaves room for unexpected events and changes in life. Its theme, “Prepare for the Worst and Expect the Best,” has guided our many clients and families. View more at Deciding to Navigate Elder Care [www.hawaii.edu].
A copy is available at the Law School. Please call (808) 956-6544.
Deciding What To Do and Why Not Now [www.hawaii.edu] is designed around a “planning for a lifetime” approach that takes into consideration personal, legal, financial, social, and health are needs. It tries to point out the need for careful planning, but also leaves room for unexpected events and changes in life. Its theme, “Prepare for the Worst and Expect the Best,” has guided our many clients and families.
A copy is available at the Law School. Please call (808) 956-6544.
The Elder Law Hawai‘i Handbook [PDF, 39KB] describes the essential information needed by individuals and their families or partners who face some of the most serious issues of the later years-declining health and the need for long-term care; appropriate legal and financial planning; and dealing with death, bereavement, and grief. In straightforward language, the authors begin by discussing basic legal, financial, and health care preparations, including information about lawyers and how they can help in planning your future. The Handbook also explains drawing up a valid will, probate, executing a durable power of attorney, and eligibility requirements for Medicare, Medicaid, and other state and federal medical assistance programs.
End-of-life decision making is one of the most difficult but crucial challenges faced by patients and their families. In most cases, resources or counselors providing guidance in these decisions are not available. Cultural Issues in End-of-Life Decision Making [PDF, 37KB] is intended to prepare nurses, physicians, and other health care workers to fill this role, as they are most frequently in contact with the patient and his/her family and significant others at the time choices must be made. In this informative and practical book, Braun, Pietsch, and Blanchette explore with insight and sensitivity the cultural, medical, legal, and ethical context of the dying experience.