An Aging Undocumented Population: Policy and Practice Implications

November 15, 2023

12:00pm - 1:30pm CT

Live and interactive via Zoom

1.5 CEUs; Satisfies 1.5 hours toward cultural competence requirement for social workers

Undocumented older adults face pervasive and structural barriers due to their immigration status that block them from the services older adults depend on to manage their health and successfully age in place. Under the current immigration and healthcare systems, without access to Medicaid, Medicare, or any public benefits, these individuals have extremely limited access to services necessary to age successfully in place—rehab, nursing homes, home health, homemaker services, long-term care, etc.

This live and interactive webinar will utilize a report by the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging (CEA) to identify the structural and practice implications of an aging undocumented community, and provide policy recommendations to prepare for the wave of undocumented older adults by 2030. Participants will hear testimonials from undocumented older adults and their loved ones, will engage in case studies of complex care management involving undocumented older adults, and will learn about current advocacy efforts to support and emulate.

Practitioners who work with immigrant populations, those who work in or study long-term care, and those who consider themselves advocates for disinvested communities are highly encouraged to attend this relevant and action-oriented workshop.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will identify strategies to effectively advocate for undocumented older adults in their practice

2. Participants will recognize the growing population of undocumented older adults as a need for advocacy and structural change

3. Participants will analyze the structural impact of blocked access to health care for the undocumented population

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Padraic Stanley is a social worker living in Chicago, IL. He currently works as a program manager for community-based health promotion for the Rush University Medical Center Department of Social Work & Community Health. He is also the chair of Rush’s Immigrant Health Working Group, which is oversees Rush’s immigrant health and welcoming healthcare initiatives. He is a graduate of the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work, where he completed the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship and completed clinical practicum at Heartland Human Care Services and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Currently, he is an adjunct professor of social work at Loyola University Chicago, Associate Professor of Social Work for the Rush University College of Health Sciences, on the associate board for Erie Neighborhood House, and the executive board for the International Association for Social Work with Groups.

ABOUT THE EVENT

This workshop will take place via Zoom. Access information will be shared via email at least 48 hours prior to the start of the course. The workshop will not be recorded.