Carolyn Butler Norton, Esq.

05/11/2026

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is this June 10, 2026. You can register to attend a virtual workshop titled “Common Scams and How to Avoid Them” here: https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jH8BxONdT2GeKJgARJD59w%23/registration___.YXAzOmNhcm9seW5idXRsZXJub3J0b246YTpvOjMyNGE3MzJkZTU0ZTk2NjU1YjExN2QzYjA5MDI4ZjEyOjc6OThiYjo0MTBkZDMwYzZkOTIyYjViMTkzOTgxZGRmNWYwYWZhNzZkZTcyZmZjNzIyMmIzNzBjOGQyZDcwY2NjNzU2ODdkOmg6VDpG

05/05/2026

May is National Elder Law Month. Check out this webinar hosted by NAELA:

Straight From the Front Lines: Protecting Older Americans From Scams, Fraud, and Financial Exploitation — May 20 Webinar

Scams targeting older Americans are evolving daily — impersonation schemes, account takeovers, romance and “grandparent” scams, and high-pressure investment cons. Elder law attorneys are often the first professionals to hear the story, spot the red flags, and help clients take action. In this practical, one-hour webinar, former San Diego Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood will share lessons learned from real cases on the front lines of elder fraud, while AARP’s Kathy Stokes highlights emerging trends and effective prevention tips.

As part of NAELA’s Elder Law Month in May, this webinar brings the theme — Protecting Rights, Fighting Scams — to life with practical strategies to better safeguard older adults. To support your practice, NAELA also has developed a turnkey toolkit with ready-to-use resources exclusively for members to help you act quickly and guide clients if the worst happens.

Scams targeting older adults are surging — now’s the time to act. During National Elder Law Month, NAELA is urging attorneys to step up prevention as losses have climbed to the billions, with clients often pressured into split-second, irreversible decisions. Members can access NAELA’s ready-to-use toolkit and join our AARP webinar for real-world insights you can share — download resources and save your seat today. https://ow.ly/Rb9j50YTkZm

04/03/2026

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month. Be sure to check out the wonderful programs and resources provided by the Center for Memory and Movement!

03/04/2026

Tomorrow is National Slam the Scam Day 💥📵

Scammers are getting more sophisticated every year — especially when it comes to pretending to be from Social Security. They may call, text, email, or send letters claiming there’s a problem with your Social Security number or benefits.

To learn how to recognize and report Social Security scams, visit the official website:
👉 https://www.ssa.gov/scam

03/02/2026

International Women's Day is March 8th!

02/09/2026

Caregiving is challenging—get the support and tools you deserve. Join AAA's Powerful Tools for Caregivers virtual workshop to reduce stress, manage emotions, and build confidence.

02/09/2026

Check out these wonderful virtual classes held by the Area Agency of Aging:

12/11/2025

Check out this short article by NAELA regarding scams:

NAELA Backs New Bipartisan Efforts to Protect Older Adults From Scams

Bipartisan bills in the House and Senate aimed at combating financial scams — particularly those targeting older adults — were introduced last week, proposing a coordinated national strategy. NAELA, along with AARP and other major national organizations, has endorsed these measures, which seek to unify federal efforts and support agencies working to prevent, investigate, and prosecute scams. These proposals come as financial fraud against older adults continues to grow, underscoring the urgent need for stronger protections.

For more information regarding this important topic:
https://amo.house.gov/press-release/amo-introduces-bipartisan-legislative-package-to-protect-consumers-from-surging-scams-and-financial-fraudsters

10/01/2025

October marks Special Needs Law Month. Find out more below:

NAELA and the Special Needs Alliance have collaborated on a new consumer guide, “5 Things You Need to Know About Special Needs Planning,” to help families prepare for the future and kick off Special Needs Law Month in October. Download the guide today and share it with your network to raise awareness. Stay tuned — more resources to celebrate the month are on the way! https://ow.ly/7Lye50X1PvU

09/30/2025

October is National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month, a time to honor individuals living in long-term care facilities and to call attention to their rights.

Residents’ Rights Month is an opportunity to focus on and raise awareness of dignity, respect and the rights of each resident. The federal Nursing Home Reform Law promises quality of life, quality of care, and rights of each resident and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity, choice, and self-determination. The law also requires nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of each resident.” Residents’ Rights Month is a time to raise awareness of these rights and celebrate residents.

During Residents’ Rights Month, we recognize our local long-term care Ombudsman program staff and volunteers, who work daily to promote residents’ rights, assist residents with complaints and provide information to those who need to find a long-term care facility. In this area, the ombudsman program serves: PALM BEACH COUNTY, INDIAN RIVER, MARTIN, OKEECHOBEE, & ST. LUCIE

OMBUDSMAN PALM BEACH
111 S. SAPODILLA AVENUE -B-C
WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33401
561-837-5038
FAX: 561-650-6885

As our community celebrates Residents’ Rights Month, I encourage community members to connect with those they know who live in long-term care facilities, participate in Residents’ Rights Month events, or inquire about becoming a volunteer long-term care ombudsman. Your assistance and attention help to ensure that the voices of long-term care residents do not go unheard and demonstrates to residents that they have not been forgotten.