(FORT MYERS, Fla.)- Florida has long been dubbed a magnet for retirees in search of sunshine and paradise – not only for those able to afford exclusive gated communities, but for those on fixed incomes as well.
Statistics show there were 4.5 million adults aged 65 and older living in Florida, out of a total population of 21.5 million in 2019.
Sometimes seniors face problems that they cannot resolve themselves. At these times, they often need legal assistance from a trained attorney. Not all seniors can afford their own attorney or even know where to turn to find one.
Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) is pleased to continue its partnership with Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida to free legal services to the seniors living in Southwest Florida.
"We assist seniors with all the same services as other low-income individuals, but we also provide assistance with social security, Medicare, Medicaid and other public assistance, end-of-life planning, including powers of attorney, living will, designation of heath care surrogate, and wills, debt collection and harassment, housing preservation, reverse mortgage issues, senior exploitation, and with fraud and scams," said Michelle Trunkett, regional managing attorney of the Fort Myers Office.
FRLS is committed to providing high quality civil legal advice, representation and education to the disadvantaged in order to protect their personal safety, enhance their opportunities and living conditions, and promote self-sufficiency.
FRLS attorneys and paralegals help clients deal with many of life's most basic needs: a safe home, enough food to eat, a quality education, and protection against exploitation and discrimination.
About the Area Agency on Aging
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) is a nonprofit organization formed in 1978. Its mission is to improve the quality of social and health services, develop, plan and administer service programs, and raise funds to provide those services. The organization is focused on serving older adults and people with disabilities in a seven county area, including Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties.