National Aging and Law Conference - Call for Proposals

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and co-sponsors of the National Aging and Law Conference invite you to submit proposal(s) to share your knowledge, expertise, and experience at the 2013 National Aging and Law Institute, in Washington, DC from November 7-9, 2013. The theme, this year, is Client Advocacy in Caring Communities.



Do the elder law and aging rights communities have the advocacy skills to ensure our clients will age in a caring community? Making a caring community a reality for our clients is a formidable task at a time when health and long term care systems are out of reach for many, public benefits programs face budget cuts, and the population is aging rapidly. This Institute will provide you with the multidisciplinary skills and knowledge to ensure you can meet your clients’ and communities’ needs holistically.  



The programming will be divided into three tracks:

• Practice that Works -- a “How To” track to improve essential lawyering skills. Examples include hearing advocacy skills, lobbying, client interviewing and communication, evaluating opportunities for impact litigation, negotiation skills, creating elder friendly environments, galvanizing family support effectively and ethically, navigating the range of home and community-based supportive services; drafting documents to promote autonomy and prevent abuse; partnering for systemic change.


• Policy on the Cutting Edge.  Examples include perspectives from movers and shakers from inside the beltway; the status Medicare and Medicaid Innovations Center demonstrations and the CMS coordinated care initiative; the impact of health care exchanges and how they affect Medicare and Medicaid; managed long-term care trends across the states; the latest developments regarding the “improvement standard” and “observation status” under Medicare; Veterans benefits on the hot seat; the politics of Older Americans Act reauthorization.


• Making Caring Communities a Reality for Clients.  Examples include expanding housing options for clients; choosing and paying for the right community; reverse mortgage issues; fair housing and the LGBT community; accommodating special needs and community care options; driving and transportation challenges; combating elder abuse in communities; and ensuring person-centered care in long-term care settings; ensuring patient’s treatment wishes are known and respected across care settings.