Free Healthcare Proxy Document Clinic Webinar on July 17

TRENTON, NJ (July 14, 2020) — During COVID-19, having healthcare decision-making documents in place is particularly vital — and appropriate for all ages, notes elder law attorney Carl Archer, principal of Archer Law Office. Archer will present a free webinar on how to organize and run a healthcare proxy document clinic on Friday, July 17, from 10 to 11 a.m. This event is part of NJ Foundation for Aging’s “Continuing to Learn from COVID-19” series. To register, visit www.njfoundationforaging.org.

“Healthy people should have these documents in case of a catastrophe, older people need them most often, and even very young people, just over 18, will often want them just because their parents are still making important decisions for them if they cannot do so,” Archer says.

Healthcare documents include proxy documents (who makes decisions for me?) and instruction documents (what decisions do they make?). Archer will review these documents and describe how anyone can organize and run a document clinic, with minimal training.

Healthcare proxy document clinics are often presented by professionals in the community, such as those who work in assisted-living settings, but also municipalities and groups, including senior centers, nonprofit organizations and library program directors, Archer says.

“Those sponsoring healthcare proxy document clinics are providing a public service by helping many people get these documents together in a short period of time — without the need for a lawyer or legal advice,” says Archer. “Towns and communities with extensive outreach efforts regarding healthcare decision-making documents have consistently shown less healthcare spending and increased quality of life and patient outcomes. We want people to have access to these documents at little or no cost, and these clinics are the best way to make them widely available, quickly.”

Carl Archer is a graduate of Rutgers University and Rutgers School of Law-Camden. He’s a member of the NJ State Bar Association, Elder and Disability Law Section, and Past President of the NJ chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Archer practices in the areas of Medicaid applications and litigation, veterans pension applications, guardianships, estate planning and administration, and related litigation. He was one of three professionals appointed by Gov. Christie to serve on the NJ Task Force on Abuse Against the Elderly and Disabled. Archer also provides pro bono work to low-income caregivers in need through Legal Services of New Jersey; is Treasurer for Jersey Cares, a nonprofit that increases civic engagement by organizing and staffing volunteer projects in urban areas throughout the state, and is a Trustee of JFS Middlesex County.

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NJ Foundation for Aging (www.njfoundationforaging.org) is the only statewide nonprofit organization focused solely on providing leadership in public policy and education to enable older adults to live with independence and dignity in their communities. In addition to its policy leadership role, NJFA produces the award-winning Aging Insights, a monthly half-hour TV program promoting dialogue on critical issues for older adults and caregivers. The show can be seen on more than 70 public-access station and www.njfoundationforaging.org/aging-insights. NJFA also presents an annual conference offering development opportunities and best practices for professionals entrusted with caring for seniors.