Sklar hopes that the Certificate of Completion in Law and Policy on Aging will allow more people to become aware of the complex issues of aging in order to gain better access to care, economic security and support as they age. “Students from different professions and backgrounds are affected by the needs and preferences of an older population, and they are trying to better understand the ethical issues, regulations and applicable laws that have a huge impact on our aging,” said Tara Sklar, JD, MPH, Director of the Health Law and Policy Program and the Faculty`s Senior Advisor for Innovations in Aging in health. At Arizona University of Health Sciences, researchers and educators in the Innovations in Healthy Aging initiative are dedicated to supporting aging adults by increasing the workforce responsible for caring for an aging population. The Graduate Certificate Program in Law and Policy on Aging was recently launched by the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law to address a range of social justice issues, from systemic barriers that make it difficult for older adults to access government services such as Social Security and Medicare, emerging legal issues surrounding elder abuse, guardianship and privacy. In Aging and the Law, students learn about elder abuse, ranging from abuse, neglect and financial abuse to making health care decisions, including living wills and Sklar`s end-of-life issues. The course also discusses how the law intersects with health equity and the social determinants of health, with students considering the role of the law in maintaining a safety net for older adults to have economic security, housing, and access to care. “It`s incredibly complex and confusing,” Quinn said of navigating the health care system. “There`s a certain denial when it comes to getting older,” Sklar said.
“Individuals and families don`t want to think about it, and suddenly there`s a medical emergency where decisions have to be made that can be costly and even potentially harmful to a person`s health and desires. This program provides legal training to better prepare and manage difficult situations so that we can all age well. “There`s a lot to unpack: from watching older adults lose cognitive abilities to someone with no medical or legal training becoming a caretaker for a friend or family member after a stroke. As adults age, the issues they face can range from emotional stress such as loneliness and isolation to legally complex issues, such as ageism in the workplace and access to health services, including long-term care. These issues affect not only individuals, but also family members, friends and health professionals whose careers are dedicated to supporting older adults. Due to exciting technological advancements and other advancements, there are many career opportunities and opportunities in the aging care industry, including nursing careers and pathways that can lead to nursing. Aging in America discusses the role and function of regulatory bodies and legislation governing eligibility and benefits for health care, long-term care and palliative care. Christopher Mathis, JD, MPA, MPH, professor of practice at James E. Rogers College of Law and senior attorney in Tucson, Arizona, teaches the course, which covers emerging trends such as later work, loneliness and isolation, opioid addiction, and emergency preparedness for older adults. This module describes the knowledge a caregiver needs to work within the legal and ethical parameters of professional practice, support the client`s rights, and fulfill their due diligence obligations.
“We need to understand the basics of change,” Quinn said. “One of my shortcomings was the understanding of health law. The program helped me gain that understanding. I hope that with a better understanding, I will be able to make changes as we find better ways to support seniors. Kathryn Huber, MD, MBE, Professor of Practice at the Rogers College of Law and Internal Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Systems, teaches Technology and Aging: Legal and Ethical Developments that provides an in-depth look at the ethical, legal, and social challenges facing aging adults in the context of the rise of new technologies. “All nurses are bedside leaders, and it`s a professional and personal responsibility to better understand where the law affects us all, from a regulatory perspective and at the bedside,” Quinn said. “There is an urgent need for health literacy and understanding the link between health care and health policy. “Healthcare employers need to be able to identify their employees with red flags and opportunities regarding compliance, reimbursement, liability, privacy, and the implications of consent with innovations in health technology, as Americans increasingly prefer to age in place,” Sklar added. Creator of the certificate program and professor of law.
His scientific research focuses on legal, regulatory and ethical issues related to adapting to a diverse aging population, with a focus on the integration of health technologies. Many health professionals advise patients on topics such as expanded policies, powers of attorney and the appointment of health workers. The graduate certificate provides guidance for those who need to understand the best options for seniors. This could be the perfect career path for you – and your first steps could be with “Cert III”. Brigette Quinn, a 36-year nurse and former faculty member at UArizona`s College of Nursing, was one of the first students to enroll in the graduate certificate program. She felt she needed to improve her understanding of law and policy to better advocate and guide the older adults she supports as a caregiver. “Technology offers people a way to live independently longer, which is becoming increasingly important given the current workforce shortage in health care, including long-term care,” Sklar said. Doctors who care for nursing home residents are regularly confronted with ethical and legal questions.
Because care in nursing homes is complicated by many regulations and nursing home residents have complex medical and social issues, some issues are unique to long-term care and others are unfamiliar in an unknown way. In this context, frequently discussed topics are discussed: living wills, competence and decision-making capacity, decisions regarding life-sustaining treatments, abuse of residents, chains, psychotropic medications, risk management, participation in research and ethics committees. With knowledge of legal and ethical frameworks and an understanding of some of the common and complex issues that arise, physicians should be better equipped to provide optimal care to nursing home residents. Working with older adults can be a rewarding, meaningful, and important career because you can help improve their quality of life. The online certificate comes at a critical time. The number of adults aged 65 or older in the U.S. has increased by one-third over the past decade to 54.1 million. In addition, Americans aged 65 and older are expected to surpass those under 18 by 2034, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With 88 percent of Americans saying they prefer to age at home or at a loved one`s home, technology-related issues are becoming more pressing, according to the Associated Press-NORC of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Chicago. Aging and social justice include ageism, social perceptions of older adults as distressing, and cultural biases that reject the role of older adults as valuable contributions.
Laura Howard, Ph.D., who teaches courses on medical ethics as a professor of practice at Rogers College of Law, teaches aging and social justice. The entire Cert III programme consists of 13 modules. This section focuses on Module 03; CECG103 – Legal and Ethical Framework and Guidelines for Geriatric Care. Quinn offers opportunities to her friends, family and neighbours, including Larry Losey, 81, an avid cyclist and motorcyclist with whom she regularly talks about health and aging. Quinn said she and other students like her who already work with and support seniors believe the graduate certificate in aging law and policy addresses an important need at the perfect time.