Race, Religion, and Sexuality in Long Term Care Explore crucial aspects of long-term care planning at our workshop, focusing on race, religion, and sexuality in long-term care settings. Gain insights and earn 2 Cultural Competence CECs from the NASW by joining us at Chatham Place, New Haven, CT.
Attorney Steven L. Rubin has earned the distinction of Certified Elder Law Attorney from the National Elder Law Foundation. He has been in training for his dream job as an attorney, since he was 5 years old. His trustworthy, shoot-from-the-hip, “pull no punches” approach is appreciated by clients. Most of his passion stems from the fact that Steve knows what it’s like to sit on the other side of the desk.
While Steve was in law school, his mother was diagnosed with ALS and given less than a year to live. He was thrust into a number of roles that his clients often find themselves in — caregiver, advocate, provider, and concerned loved one.
While his mom lost her battle to ALS, Steve vowed never to give up the fight. He finished Widener University School of Law and has dedicated his career to helping his clients deal with tough issues — such as death, incapacity, disability, special needs, social security, asset protection, litigation and taxes – and providing that assistance in the best and least stressful way possible.
Attorney Rubin was born in New Haven and has been a life-long Connecticut resident. He graduated from Cheshire High School and the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. While attending the University of Connecticut, Attorney Rubin was a member of the governing counsel for the Housing Board of Directors and the vice president of the Jewish Student Association. He graduated UCONN a member of Phi Alpha Phi — the national political science honor society.
Attorney Rubin then attended Widener University School of Law in Pennsylvania. While attending Widener, he was a member of the Trial Advocacy Honor Society and participated in numerous Moot Court arguments. He was also a founding member of the Animal Rights Legal Society and Treasurer of the Environmental Law and Policy Society, involvements that put into action his values and ideals.
Attorney Rubin has passed the Bar in Connecticut, New York, and Florida. He is a member of organizations that reflect his career directions and active participation: Connecticut Bar Association; the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association; the New York Bar Association; the Florida Bar Association; the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers; the Florida Bar Association Young Lawyers Division; the New York Bar Association Young Lawyers Division; New Haven Bar Association, New Haven Bar Association Young Lawyers; New Haven Bar Association Public Service Committee; the New Haven Bar Association Trusts and Estates Committee; Court Relations Committee; and the American Bar Association. His practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, estate administration and probate, Title XIX (Medicaid) planning and eligibility, Life Care Planning, business continuation, disability and special needs planning, trust planning and administration, and related tax matters.
Attorney Rubin volunteers his free time at the Veterans Legal Clinic, providing free advice to veterans who otherwise could not afford legal representation. When not working, Steven enjoys reading books, watching and attending sporting events, and spending time with his dog and family. He is a fundraiser for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, and the American Cancer Society. Attorney Rubin also volunteers his time at soup kitchens and other philanthropic activities.
ADMISSIONS:
United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
State of Connecticut
State of New York
State of Florida
Accredited by the Veterans Administration
Issues Impacting The Long-Term Care Of All Seniors
During this session we will be discussing some hot button issues impacting the long-term care of all seniors, those in facilities, and those who work in long term care or have loved ones in long term care. In providing proper care and evaluating a care facility it is important to consider the make-up of the current residents and the caregivers, the social engagement that is provided and ensuring that the staff are trained to deal with different racial makeup. Residents and Caregivers often have a different make up and it is important to examine the impact that this has on quality of care when evaluating a facility.
When working with different religions, it is important for those working with seniors to understand the different religious views when it comes to aging, medical treatment, termination of medical treatment and have appropriate facility plans in place to respect both the caregiver’s and the patient’s religious views.
Sexuality in aging has become a bigger issue in recent years, and one that is likely to continue to trend. Who has the capacity to consent to sexual activity, what level of competency is required in order to consent to sexual activity, is the patient aware of the relationship, and does the family need to be informed. Does the patient understand the identity of the other person they are having a relationship with and the risks associated with the sexual act? How should the staff be educated, the need for privacy of the resident vs the need for responding to intimacy and providing physical space that is safe for sexual intimacy.
In this program we also look at the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. More than 3 million Americans over the age of 50 identify as LGBT and are 2x more likely to live alone and 4x less likely to have children who can act as caregivers. We will discuss how these statistics impact the day to day of LTC and what families and those who work with seniors can do to help.
In examining all of these ideals, we will be looking at cultural issues, and how to be both an advocate for social justice, but provide for fairness amongst individuals, understanding the issues of aging amongst cultures and understand the need for policies to be in place at long term care facilities, our own offices and also be able to address these issues in private practice with the families of loved ones
This presentation has been approved for 2 Cultural Competence CEC’s by the NASW.