Aging with Challenges
The CCELS is engaged in a Law Foundation funded project on legal aspects of “aging with challenges.” The goal of the project is to critically challenge the notion that older adults age in a homogeneous fashion. Rather, this CCELS legal research project has consulted with stakeholder organizations for input on some of the issues of greatest concern in the following areas:
Aging with Addictions
Aging with Physical and Mental Challenges
Aging and the Criminal Justice System
Aging and Identity
The product design will be a tabbed binderized toolkit, with the goal of enabling users to directly focus in on the type of “challenge” they wish to enquire about, and to have tools and teaching materials at their fingertips. Some users may read the entire end product; others may only be interested in using sections of the product.
The final product will be available in August 2007.
The binder will be set up in roughly the following fashion:
Intro : Introduction of the Project and working definition of Aging with Challenges
Tab 1 : Guardianship (study paper)
Tab 2 : Addictions and Housing
2a) Smoking and Assisted Living (study paper / legal analysis)
2b) Smoking and LTC (study paper / legal analysis)
2c) Alcohol and Aging
2d) Checklist of issues and problem-solving flowchart
Tab 3 : Physical and Mental Challenges
3a) Physical Challenges (study paper / legal analysis)
3b) Mental and Capability Challenges (study paper / legal analysis)
3c) Checklist for legal practioners
Tab 4 : Interaction with the Criminal Justice System
4a) Aging Offenders (study paper / legal analysis)
4b) Aging Witnesses (special emphasis on R v Khelawon, 2006 2CC 57)
4c) Checklist for Police and Crown (to be developed with BC CEAS)
Tab 5 : Aging and Identity Issues
(we invite those interested in providing stakeholder input to contact lwatts@bcli.org or to write directly to the CCELS)
Tab 6 : Toolkit
6a) Housing Stability Tool, developed with BC Seniors Services and Housing Information Project
(to assist housing providers retain positive tenancies with harder to house seniors – as presented at the BC NPHA conference)
6b) Powerpoints developed for teaching modules (hard copies and the .ppt in soft copy can be downloaded from the website.)
In this project analysis of any legal barriers inhibiting persons who are “aging with challenges” from aging with safety, dignity and self-determination will be undertaken. Much of this project component will target the broad medical and care-giving profession, including physicians, nurses, licensed practical nurses, care providers, rehabilitation therapists etc. The project will consider the following: a) what are the specific needs of older adults with challenges; b) are there differences in the treatment of older adults with challenges as opposed to the general aging cohort; c) what standards are currently in place; d) is there a need for law reform in these areas?
The legal education portion of this project will include an outcome of “best practices” targeted towards the medical and care-giving profession. Consultation in this phase will include stakeholders from the above-mentioned medical and care-giving professions, as well as residents of care facilities, ministry representatives, elder law lawyers, appropriate disability advocacy organizations and the seniors’ communities at large.
Aging with Challenges Input
The CCELS welcomes stakeholder input on any aspect of this project. If you would like to make a submission or to discuss aspects of the project with the researchers, please do not hesitate to contact the CCELS by emailing the Program Director at: lwatts@bcli.org
Aging with Challenges Survey – Fill in our Aging with Challenges Survey!
Thank you for such a tremendous response to our survey. The information collected is currently being analysed and results will be included in the final report.
Aging with Challenges in the News
Vancouver Sun – September 26, 2005 (page E1) – Seniors Living: Aging with Challenges