Emily Albeck of Elizabeth Borough came to learn about laws relating to a health care power of attorney.

Dorothy Ellis and her sister Wilma Keaves, both of Clairton, were particularly interested in long-term care insurance and living wills, while Charles Yaksick of Elizabeth was keen on hearing about finances and investing.

With 150 of their peers and family members, the seniors last Thursday packed the dining hall at Sylvester and Tweety's in Elizabeth Borough for the Older & Wiser workshop, held by state Rep. David Levdansky, D-Forward, and the nonprofit Neighborhood Legal Services Association.

"I have been looking into that to see what was available," Ms. Ellis, 64, said of long-term care insurance. "I also enjoyed the part about the living will; I think I'll get one now."

The program featured a variety of speakers, including a lawyer, financial advisers and volunteers with AARP, who discussed consumer fraud.

Another workshop, which drew 130 participants, was held the next day at the Finleyville Community Center.

Lawyer Joseph M. Olimpi serves as project manager for the Older & Wiser workshops, launched seven years ago by the Neighborhood Legal Services Association as a way to educate seniors about legal issues.

"We just thought it was a good idea," said Mr. Olimpi, who noted that the legal services association hopes to receive grant money soon to help expand the public service program. "Legal service projects have something valuable to offer. It's been a good tool for us."

The agency, which serves Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties, co-sponsors about a dozen events each year with local legislators. The programs can be targeted to just legal issues or folded into larger seminars.

Seniors who are interested in legal products, wills, do-not-resuscitate orders, powers of attorney and such can obtain free services from the association if they meet financial eligibility guidelines.

If not, seniors still may be able to receive free legal services through their local senior centers, many of which partner with agencies such as Neighborhood Legal Services.

At last week's workshop, Mr. Olimpi talked about legal products, such as living wills, and he explained why they are so important for seniors.

"It determines who will take care of you and who will make decisions for you when you can't," Mr. Olimpi said.

Other speakers included Kip Kuzior of Urish Popeck & Co. and Heather Marcozzi of Economic Concepts Inc., who explained nuances in Social Security and Medicare law and long-term care options.

"Long-term care has become a big, big problem in the country because people are living longer," Ms. Marcozzi told the audience. "Financially, it is brutal."

Long-term care insurance -- which is more affordable for younger people -- is as important as life or health insurance for those with significant assets, such as property, she said.

Mary and Len Bach, of Murrysville, talked about elder fraud. They work undercover to expose scams aimed at senior citizens.

At the top of the list are so-called "free lunch" seminars, in which seniors are offered a complimentary meal for listening to a high-pressure sales pitch about investment opportunities.

Usually, the products are outrightly fraudulent or unsuitable for seniors, said Mrs. Bach, AARP executive council member and consumer activist. "Get the meal, but don't make the deal," said Mr. Bach, who stars in an AARP video about the dangers of such programs.

The couple also recruits volunteers for the AARP's Free Lunch Monitor program, which asks seniors to observe and report on programs they have attended. "One thing they all have in common is they cater to fears," Mr. Bach told the crowd. "Senior fears."

Another workshop is set for 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Dormont Senior Center, 144 Hillsdale Ave., Dormont.

For more information on the workshops, call state Rep. Dan Deasy at 412-928-9514.

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