Exciting new series on “Voice, Body and Movement for Lawyers – How to connect with the jury and find Justice Through Dramatic Technique!”
Click here to find out moreAging does not equal incompetence. People process information differently as they age based on life experiences and other factors and that can be a true asset. But sometimes there are problems. There’s a difference between “senior moments” and cognitive impairment. There’s a difference in the way we process alcohol and other drugs as we age, and there is the added dimension of the likelihood of interaction with other medications. Dementia, depression and grief have some similar characteristics and even when the signs are there, these can be misdiagnosed, minimizing or causing a delay in recognition and treatment. And older adults are at greater risk for suicide. Cognitive impairment, alcohol and other substance issues and depression can be debilitating to the older adult and can result in harm to clients, disciplinary issues and malpractice exposure if they are not recognized and addressed. Law firms and other legal employers may not see gradual changes when cognitive impairment occurs and may minimize or hope it will go away. Learn to identify the warning signs of addiction and other mental health issues in the older attorney, help them get the help they need and provide support as they recover. The presenter also provides realistic approaches and options for treatment and support, including lawyer assistance programs across the country. Ethical considerations for these issues are addressed.
