Aging Done Right: 15th Annual Senior Law Day Teaches Legal and Financial Essentials for Aging Adults
Seniors and their caregivers gathered at First Baptist Church for a day of learning
ALEXANDRIA, VA – When Alexandria resident Annie Hall left Senior Law Day at First Baptist Church of Alexandria on June 6, she took home more than a packet of information. Like the event’s other 225 attendees, Hall gained valuable insights into estate planning, public benefits, financial protection, and how to spot potential scams.
“I learned about some options I hadn’t known for my own financial protection and legacy, especially as relates to mental capacity, and to double-check for my 90-year-old mother with dementia,” said Alexandria resident Annie Hall after attending the 15th Annual Senior Law Day, where Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) and the Alexandria Bar Association provided older adults and caregivers with practical information on legal, financial, and healthcare issues related to aging.
Held at First Baptist Church of Alexandria, the event brought together local experts and community members under this year’s theme, “Confidence and Clarity as You Age.”
“SSA is proud to work with the Alexandria Bar Association and grateful to First Baptist Church of Alexandria for hosting such an important opportunity for older adults and their caregivers to meet with local resources that will help them age well in Alexandria,” said Mary Lee Anderson, Executive Director of SSA.
According to Anderson, SSA has partnered with the Alexandria Bar Association to organize Senior Law Day since 2011. “We begin monthly meetings each fall, picking major topics to address and inviting local experts to help plan the event,” she said.
The day focused on the practical realities of growing older, from estate planning and financial management to caregiving and fraud prevention.
In welcoming attendees, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins emphasized the value of planning ahead. “I hope each of you leaves with practical strategies for providing caregiving with dignity and support, fresh perspectives on managing finances for older adults and a clearer understanding of the key documents needed to age with confidence,” Gaskins said.
After a continental breakfast, attendees participated in a series of presentations and discussions led by legal, financial, and public safety professionals.
One of the featured sessions, “Clarity and Peace of Mind: The Documents You Need for What Comes Next,” was presented by attorneys Elizabeth Crego of Legal Services of Northern Virginia and Gretchyn Meinken of Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner, PLLC.
Meinken said many people wait too long to put important legal protections in place, creating challenges if they later lose the ability to make decisions for themselves.
“Our hope is that they will take the steps to get basic documents in place and really think about who they want in those roles to help them, as well as who should inherit their assets when they’re gone,” said Meinken.
Another session, “Protect Your Assets: What Seniors Should Know About Financial Scams in 2026,” focused on helping attendees recognize and avoid increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. Representatives from local law enforcement discussed common warning signs and prevention strategies.
According to Caitlin Blanco, Public Information Officer for the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, some of the most common red flags include a sense of urgency, requests for unusual forms of payment, and situations that feel out of the ordinary.
“Our senior population can definitely be a more vulnerable population in the community, and we want to make sure that they have all the resources they need to be aware of scams and prevent those, but scams definitely don’t discriminate by age when it comes to this community,” Blanco said.
Additional sessions explored legislative issues affecting older adults and available healthcare assistance resources.
For Alexandria resident Annie Hall, the value of Senior Law Day extended beyond the information presented from the stage.
“Honestly, the best part is seeing so many people there to learn!” she said.
That sense of shared learning has been a hallmark of Senior Law Day for more than 15 years, as SSA and the Alexandria Bar Association continue to help older adults and caregivers navigate the challenges of aging with confidence, knowledge, and support.
