This course will focus on problems and issues that most directly affect older persons and their families. Guided by current theories of aging and human development in later life, the course will address the unique health, mental health and social service needs of older adults. The course will focus on how federal and state policies such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid direct the development of home and community-based care, long term care, the relationship between informal and formal caregiving and how they influence the lived experiences of older people and their families. Course sessions will be dedicated to the examination of the unique and distinct needs, issues and concerns of diverse older populations. The course will introduce assessment tools and evidence-based interventions for application with older adults in a variety of practice settings. This course will incorporate a trauma-informed and human rights perspective to social work practice with older adults and their families.