Book review of Elderly Client Handbook

Elderly Client Handbook (4th Edition) *****

Caroline Bielanska and Martin Terrell (editors)

The Law Society

ISBN 9781853285349

£59.95

Social workers are not legally trained, yet often need legal knowledge and frequently fear that a legal reference book will be written in incomprehensible language, writes Joy Bounds. This book comes as a pleasant surprise.

Aimed at solicitors who are developing their practice with older people, it is nevertheless a book that any social work practitioner would find invaluable. It is clear, concise and informative.

Good basic values run throughout: that by and large, older people’s legal needs are exactly the same as anyone else’s, even if some legal areas are particular to them, and that consent should always be sought unless incapacity is shown.

The book is divided into four sections. The Legal Framework considers issues of capacity, and its assessment; the ways in which older people can be helped with their financial affairs, and safeguarding. Then health and social care issues are considered with excellent sections on assessment and care provision, on care home issues, on continuing care and so on. The third part studies the law around finance and benefits including housing issues, and the final part deals with inheritance and death.

It also never disappoints as a reference text with a comprehensive index section.

Joy Bounds is a retired social worker who does consultancy work.

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