ECONOMIC  OPPORTUNITY - AARP Foundation attorneys litigate on behalf of older adults to secure opportunities to generate income and to protect their assets. 

AFL defends the rights of older adults in cases involving hiring, promoting, and terminating in the workplace.

• Discrimination and other barriers to employment

AFL protects savers, investors, and consumers through legal advocacy concerning employee health and welfare benefits; pension benefits; and fraudulent, predatory, and discriminatory commercial practices (financial exploitation).

• Consumer litigation
• Employee  pensions and benefits

SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS - AARP Foundation attorneys litigate to keep older adults connected with their loved ones, safe in their homes, and engaged in their communities.

AFL combats the causes and consequences of social isolation, including protecting older adults from physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

• Long-term care services and supports, (including nursing home and in-home care) 
• Disability discrimination (including Olmstead)

AFL expands access to affordable, accessible, and healthy housing.

• Housing, including predatory mortgage lending, and livable communities

Other impactful efforts on behalf of vulnerable older adults

A Joint Campaign Between AARP Foundation Attorneys and The National Consumer Voice Vigorously Fights Many Facets of Elder Abuse in Nursing Facilities

Talevski v. Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion Cty.  Consistent with our brief the Seventh Circuit found that the federal Nursing Home Reform Act creates a private right of action under section 1983 to enforce a violation of resident’s right to be free of chemical restraints and illegal discharges. Decision (PDF) (7/27/2021)

Summary Judgment Against Nursing Facility for Patient Dumping, Read Decision Ruling (4/15/2021) and Complaint (PDF) "Her Son Says She Was a Victim of Nursing Home Dumping," by Jessica Ravitz, the case story about Gloria Single. Read

"Finding Real Solutions for Behavioral Health Needs in Persons with Dementia," with Kelly Bagby, VP AARP Foundation Litigation; Sue Renz, Program Director/Senior Lecturer UPenn School of Nursing; Lori Smetanka, moderator, The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

"Avoiding Drugs as Chemical Restraints," a discussion between AARP Foundation Litigation Attorney, Kelly Bagby with partnering organization The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care's Lori Smetanka, July 8, 2020.