Speaker:

Dr. Joanne Lynn is a former geriatrician and hospice physician who is an expert in creating and advancing new models to expand long-term services and supports (LTSS) to a greater share of the aging population. Dr. Lynn was a Policy Analyst in the Program for Eldercare Improvement at Altarum. Joanne is the author of hundreds of journal articles and books on LTSS policy, including MediCaring Communities, a blueprint for setting up, delivering, and funding LTSS services nationwide.

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION:

Case managers, especially geriatric case managers, heroically help advocate for senior clients as they age and face end-of-life challenges. A century ago, the average American’s life expectancy was 57 years. At that time, there was no Social Security and no Medicare or Medicaid (or, for the most part, any health insurance). Those benefit programs weren’t universally needed, as only a small percentage of Americans lived into their 80s. Over the last couple of decades, life expectancy has greatly increased (although it has decreased in recent years—partially due to deaths from COVID-19). Now that it is common for Americans to make it to their 80s, and now that most deaths are due to chronic illnesses rather than from infectious diseases (save for the aforementioned COVID-19), seniors living with frailty may need assistance as they face their last days. While Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurances help with some aspects of care near the end-of-life, they do not perfectly help families care for their seniors in the care setting they prefer.

There are community and institutional resources available to frail elders, but access to such resources may be regional. Some counties have a plethora of programs and resources while others, especially rural counties, may not have needed supports to help seniors as they age. What are the regional differences in home care? Do some areas have senior day programs and Meals on Wheels while other regions have little to offer seniors? Are there good transportation systems in some jurisdictions with discounts for seniors while these are lacking in other areas? What about safe accessible housing options with wheelchair ramps and handicapped bathrooms? Will the disabled elderly be able to stay in their homes in some regions with services? Are there enough skilled nursing homes? What about transitional care coordination? Are there workers able and trained to care for frail seniors? All of the answers to these questions depend partially on federal government programs, but also on State and County funding for seniors care and housing. Case managers may have different experiences finding support for elders depending on where they live.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the challenges facing frail elders in the United States;
2. List community and institutional resources available to elders near the end-of-life;
3. Demonstrate advocacy for clients who have eldercare and end-of-life challenges; and
4. Evaluate the pros and cons of the U.S. long-term care system

Credit Information:

The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

This program has been pre-approved by The Commission for Case Manager Certification to provide continuing education credit to CCM® board certified case managers. The course is approved for 1 CE contact hour(s). Activity code and Approval number will be awarded on your certificate of completion.

This program has been pre-approved by The Commission to provide continuing education credit to CDMS® board certified disability managers. The course is approved for 1 CE contact hour(s). Activity code and Approval number will be awarded on your certificate of completion.

To earn contact hours/CEs: In order to earn your contact hour(s)/CE, you will have to watch the presentation in its entirety and complete the survey. Once both the presentation and survey are marked as complete, you will receive your Certificate of Completion. If you are a CCM, your CEs will automatically record in your CCMC account.

Disclosures:

All planners and speakers have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest with commercial interests related directly or indirectly to this educational activity.

Commercial Support or Non-Commercial Sponsorship: There is no commercial support for this activity. The planners and faculty have no relevant relationships to disclose.

Expiration date: 5/5/2026