This is a three-part webinar. Dates: 7/27/26, 8/3/26, 8/10/26, 10 am - 1 pm All three dates. This 3-part webinar provides foundational and contextual information for understanding the older adult population. The segments look at the evolution of social programs for the elderly and the values upon which they rest; the current economic and social policies addressing the needs of older adults and the services available to them on federal, state, and local levels. It addresses those segments of the population which are at risk, such as ethnic and racial minorities and women, and how their status affects their lives as older adults. Issues such as work and retirement, caregiving, end-of-life issues and projections of the needs and resources of older people in the future are also explored. The program will include experiential exercises to demonstrate the interaction and interplay of these factors. [Required for Basic Gerontology Certificate Program]
At the conclusion of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Describe and define the evolution and current state of the needs and services of older Americans
- Discuss a working understanding of programs such as Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, NJ programs for the elderly, as well as the impact of agism and social justice issues in services to this population
- Identify evolving needs and envision future programs for older persons on a macro level
Day 1:
10:00 am Welcome/Introduction
10:05 am Approaches to understanding aging in our culture; Video: The Big Idea in 4 Minutes: Coming of Age in Aging America
10:30 am Key Indicators of Well-Being Among Older Adults (2020) and demographic projections
11:00 am Historical underpinnings and evolution of social and economic policies/programs in United States
11:30 am Older American Act - development and ongoing goals
12:00 pm Structure of service provision for older adults: Area Agencies on Aging and how services are funded, accessed, and evaluated
12:30 pm Exercise: Social Welfare vs. Social Control
12:50 pm Conclusion/Q&A
Day 2:
10:00 am The Three Pillars of Retirement: Social Security, the pension system, savings, and investments: present and future
11:00 am Medicare, Medicaid, and private sector responses to the medical and psychosocial needs of older adults;
11:30 am Exercise: Who Gets the Healthcare?;
12:15 am Current and future status, need for and solvency of Social Security, Medicare, and other programs for the aged
12:50 pm Conclusion/Q&A
Day 3:
10:00 am Evolving and future needs of this population, changing demographics, the needs for and of caregivers
11:00 am How social/economic policy will determine and determined by issues such as senior housing, end-of-life decision-making, and how to address the often-conflicting needs of the generations
11:30 am Review of ethical issues that emerge the lives of older persons and their families
12:15 am Exercise: Identifying Needed Changes in Agencies and Implementing Change
12:50 pm Conclusion/Q&A