The Rhode Island Bar Association is hosting legal clinics to help guide senior citizens in authorizing someone to make health-care decisions on their behalf should they become unable make choices themselves.

The clinics are being offered free of charge and will be staffed by volunteer lawyers. No income limits apply.

Lawyers will give a brief presentation about establishing a “durable power of attorney” for health care, answer questions and help seniors fill out the appropriate forms, which are also free.

As many families know, it can cost time and money if an elderly parent becomes incapacitated before power-of-attorney documents are in place. In addition, the bar association published a handbook, “A Guide for Getting Your Affairs in Order,” that will be available.

The clinics and the lawyers who are volunteering to lead them are as follows:

•Nov. 16, at the Salvatore Mancini Center, 2 Atlantic Blvd., North Providence, with Frederic A. Marzilli, 1 to 3 p.m.

•Nov. 19, at the Edward King House, 35 King St., Newport, with Kristy J. Garside, 1 to 3 p.m.

Organizations or housing complexes interested in hosting a clinic should contact elderly program coordinator Elisa M. King at 521-5040, or by e-mail at eking@ribar.com, or Laura Bridge at the same number or e-mail at lbridge@ribar.com.

kmulvane@projo.com