Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for GRN 247 archive revision 201704

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Effective Term:
Fall 2017 through Summer 2023

Course Number:
GRN 247
Course Title:
Applied Legal and Policy Issues in Aging
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
20
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces legal and policy issues affecting older adults and their families, as well as care providers. Introduces both national and state policies that impact the services and care available to older adults and access points for these services. Includes presentations from a variety of experts within the field of social services. Provides information on long-term care facility types and how they are licensed; Medicare and Medicaid services and coverage; mental health and veteran's services; abuse and protective services; legal planning for aging, including health care directives and powers of attorney; and advocacy and the legal process in Oregon. Focuses on how each program contributes to a web of services for older adults, as well as areas in which services may be lacking. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

This course provides information on a variety of policy and legal issues relevant to older adults and their families from an practical standpoint. Online lectures will provide basic information, as well as case studies that will allow students to understand systems, as well as how these systems affect the people involved on a day‐to‐day basis.  

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  •  Communicate and collaborate effectively with case managers, information and referral specialists, and other service or health care providers regarding legal issues that affect older adult clients or patients. 
  • Explain the basic benefits and services provided by programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran’s Services, and Adult Protective Services to older adult clients, their families, or other stakeholders. 
  • Connect older adults and their families to benefits and services for which they may be eligible. Participate in committees or work groups aimed at advocating for policy change within legislative systems. 
  • Advise older adults and their families about legal issues that may affect them, and refer them to providers who may be able to advise or assist in their decision making process.

Course Activities and Design

This course is designed to consist of a series of six weekly online lectures given by 
professionals working on older adult issues within the legal and policy realm. Readings 
related to the lecture will also be included within each week’s assigned work, as will 
weekly online discussion posts and replies to classmates’ posts. Each week will conclude 
with a brief online quiz on the material for that week.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Participate in, and contribute to, weekly class discussions and activities. 
  • Complete each weekly quiz with a passing grade. 
  • Complete a self‐assessment and overview of what student has learned and how the knowledge gained will contribute to his or her current job or future career. 

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  • History and role of Medicare and Medicaid in the US and in Oregon 
  • Overview of the mental health system for older adults in the US and in Oregon 
  • Abuse prevention and protection and related services 
  • Mental health, aging, disability, and other social services relevant to older adults and their families 
  • Overview of various assistance and benefits that come together to form a web of services available to older adults