LGS 156 - Legal Issues in Aging

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Introduces students who are studying for careers in health professions to laws related to the elderly. Students will explore access to care, competency and decision making, euthanasia, suicide, organ procurement and allocation, guardianship, estate planning and transfer of property upon death.

Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A .

Note: This course is not considered a legal specialty course for the purpose of earning legal specialty credits in the Paralegal Studies Program. However, it may be applied as a general elective in the Paralegal Studies Program as noted in the program description. Please consult with an advisor before registering for this course.

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Analyze a patient’s legal capacity and competency.
Describe the rights of competent and incompetent adults deciding to forego life sustaining procedures.
Prepare living wills, advance directives and durable health care powers of attorney.
Chart the role of the court and the judicial process in actions relating to the refusal to undergo life sustaining procedures.
Describe the powers and limitations of a legal guardian.
Analyze the liability of health care providers in end of life decision-making.
Compare and contrast Medicare and Medicaid.
Describe fiduciary and other duties to the elderly.
Define death from legal and medical perspectives.
Define the elements of wills, trusts and gifts.