Legal Services Alabama is marking Older Americans Month this May with a statewide elder law awareness campaign aimed at empowering seniors and their caregivers with crucial legal information.

The campaign, built around the national theme “Flip the Script on Aging,” reflects a growing effort to reframe perceptions of aging by focusing on independence, dignity and the invaluable contributions older adults make to society according to a news release. Older Americans Month was established in 1963 and is led by the federal Administration for Community Living.

In Alabama, LSA is expanding its outreach in collaboration with partners including the Central Alabama Area on Aging, East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments, Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County and West Alabama AAA.

To support this mission, LSA has released a comprehensive Legal Guidebook for Older Adults in Alabama, available now under the Older Adult Resources tab at https://legalservicesalabama.org. An accompanying video series also helps explain legal concepts in accessible language for both seniors and their caregivers.

The guidebook includes information on financial empowerment, housing rights, public benefits such as Medicaid waivers, decision-making authority, healthcare access, elder abuse prevention and future planning tools like wills and estate documents. It also addresses ways to avoid unnecessary guardianships and conservatorships.

LSA provides free legal assistance to low-income seniors across the state, with a focus on urgent issues like eviction defense, disability rights and end-of-life planning.

Legal aid for seniors is more than just a service, said LSA officials — it's a safeguard for independence in the face of legal and financial challenges.

To apply for services, residents can call the LSA Call Center at (866) 456-4995 for English or (888) 835-3505 for Spanish. Applications can also be submitted online at https://legalservicesalabama.org/apply-for-services/.