Core Issues in Aging and Disability

Online Courses

Description

This two-part course provides information that will help you understand how disability and age can affect a person’s quality of life. Underlying this information is the philosophy that all people are individuals with personal and cultural experiences that impact how they think about themselves and the world they live in.

In Part I of the course, you will learn how the concept of being “old” has changed in the last half-century. We also discuss how civil rights laws, the Social Security Act, Medicare and Medicaid support the idea that people have the right to equal treatment under the law, security in their retirement, and access to affordable health care. You will learn about the physical and psychosocial changes that accompany the aging process, and how they affect day-to-day functioning and quality of life. There are several publicly funded programs that support independence for older people and their desire to live independently in the community. Part I of the course will familiarize you with the network of supports available to older adults in order to guide them to the programs that best meet their needs.

In Part II of the course, you will explore the background of the disability rights movement in the United States and the laws that have been enacted to ensure that all people have equal access to a full and productive life regardless of any disability they may have. You will learn about some of the physical and mental health conditions and injuries that can cause disability. Part II of the course will familiarize you with the home and community-based programs that provide needed supports to older people and people with disabilities that enable them to live within communities and out of institutions. We will also explain how federal laws have impacted the lives of older Americans and people with disabilities throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century.

*You can register for this course individually or as part of a certificate program.

Learner Feedback:

“This course has reinforced my understanding of the needs, modifications and approaches to daily living and care for those with a variety of disabilities, including (but not limited to) physical, social and cognitive impairments.”

Contributing Authors:

Bronwyn Keefe, PhD, MSW, MPH is the Assistant Dean of Workforce and Professional Development at Boston University School of Social Work where she is also the Director for The Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research (CADER) and The Network for Professional Education.

Amelia Paini, MSW, Program Manager for Curriculum Development, Boston University School of Social Work

Joan Ead, Eadem Writing Associates

Objectives

• Discuss the basic issues related to disability and aging.
• Describe the ways in which an individual’s cultural, ethnic, or religious background, sexual orientation, or gender identity can influence the experiences of aging and living with a disability.
• Describe the philosophy of consumer choice.
• Define functional capacity in terms of activities of living.
• Demonstrate knowledge of resources and programs that support older adults and persons with disabilities.