We posted an update to our office policies that addresses today's order. You can read that here.
The executive order allows critical infrastructure workers to continue to provide services necessary to life. The order defines the critical infrastructure workers as those defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. These federal guidelines list critical infrastructure workers by sectors.
How are elder care law attorneys part of the critical infrastructure workforce?
We provide legal services that require us to assist clients in the following sectors identified as critical infrastructure of our nation.
In the Healthcare sector, we:
- Assist our clients in gaining admission or discharge from hospitals, mental health facilities, and nursing homes; and
- Assist our clients with putting in place, interpreting, and removing medical advance directives, DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDERS, and Physicians’ Orders for Scope of Treatment (MI-POST or POST).
In the Public Safety sector, we:
- Assist clients who are subject to law enforcement or other government actions that might limit our clients’ freedom of movement due to their cognitive function or mental health condition.
In the Financial Services sector, we:
- Assist clients in accessing money and other assets;
- Assist clients in avoiding or defending themselves from fraud and other crimes against vulnerable persons.
As we continue to do our work, we know that some legal services and court hearings can be safely postponed until the corona pandemic abates. We can even provide certain necessary services by phone, video conference, and email. But be assured that when needed, we will continue to deliver legal services to our clients in person.
Please comment with your questions.
Bill Lamb,
Chelsea, Michigan
Washtenaw County
March 23, 2020