Elder Law: Current issues and future frontiers

In the last two decades, Elder Law has developed into a known and recognized field of expertise and specialization within the legal discipline. However, due to the relatively young history of this new field of law, very few attempts have been made to analyze the ways in which it has developed in the past and the directions in which it should develop in the future. Furthermore, within gerontology, Elder Law has received much less attention or recognition. Existing literature in the field of Elder Law provides a broad and rich analysis of current developments from a positivist approach, through feminist and therapeutic approaches, up to "law and economics" approach - All attempt to implement known legal theories to the gerontological experience. This article argues that exploring the future development of Elder Law beyond existing trends reveals three new frontiers. These future frontiers of Elder Law are (1) the international Elder Law arena; (2) the municipal Elder Law arena; and finally (3) the jurisprudential gerontology arena. Realizing that Elder Law should continue to develop in new and diverse directions will determine its future ability to contribute to gerontology and influence the lives of the older population.