Video Series Helps to Guide MS Patients in US with Legal and Planning Issues

by Patricia Silva, PhD | August 23, 2016

A new video series for multiple sclerosis patients in the U.S. looks to help them better understand the complex legal and planning issues they face. The series, put together by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and Stetson University College of Law, in consultation with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is titled “Legal and Care Planning for People with Multiple Sclerosis.”

“NAELA is proud to partner with Stetson University College of Law to provide these resources to assist people living with MS. NAELA members … are well-equipped to coordinate care by working with a national network of other professionals as well as provide legal solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of clients and their families,” Catherine Seal, CAP, president of NAELA, said in a press release.

The videos focus on specific topics, like how elder and special needs law attorneys can be helpful in MS cases, how legal and care planning can be important four younger MS patients, how to coordinate attendant care and available resources, how to address family law issues when a partner has MS, and how to address property and healthcare decisions.

A free brochure, “Questions and Answers When Looking For an Elder or Special Needs Law Attorney,” is also available by contacting Abby Matienzo, the NAELA’s communications manager, either by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 703-942-5711, extension 230.

NAELA was established in 1987 as an international non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and other legal groups. Members of NAELA are experienced attorneys specializing in the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals with disabilities.

“Those of us at the [Stetson] Center for Excellence in Elder Law are excited to work with NAELA on this great educational project,” said Rebecca C. Morgan, a professor at Stetson and co-director of its Center for Excellence in Elder Law.

According to the National MS Society, about 400,000 people in the U.S. and more than 2.3 million people worldwide are affected by MS.

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About the Author

Patricia Silva, PhD Patrícia holds a PhD in medical microbiology and infectious diseases from the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal. Her work in academia was mainly focused on molecular biology and the genetic traits of infectious agents such as viruses and parasites. Patrícia earned several travel awards to present her work at international scientific meetings. She is a published author of several peer-reviewed science articles.