Course syllabus - Conceptual Base of Nursing Older Adults
Scope
7.5 credits
Course code
VAE071
Valid from
Autumn semester 2013
Education level
First cycle
Progressive Specialisation
G2F (First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements).
Main area(s)
Caring Science with Specialization in Nursing
School
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
Ratified
2013-02-06
Status
This syllabus is not current and will not be given any more
Literature lists
Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.
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Books
Ebersole and Hess' Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging
4th Edition, St Louis: Mosby Elsevier, 2013
Palliative care nursing : principles and evidence for practice
Maidenhead, Berkshire, England : Open University Press, 2004. - xii, 791 p.
Websites
Frail elderly patients in hospital - the challenge of participation in medical decision making
Linköping University, 2012
URL: Link
Palliative Care for Older People: Better practices
Copenhagen: WHO Regional office for Europe, 2011
URL: Link
Mapping levels of palliative care development: a global update
World Wide Palliative Care Alliance (WPCA), 2011
URL: Link
Objectives
The aim of the course is that the student will acquire basic knowledge of aging and the consequences of aging for elderly people’s lives and living conditions in society. Further, the aim is that the student will acquire in-depth knowledge of commonly occurring illnesses among the elderly, of the philosophy of palliative care and care of the elderly in the final stages of life.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
1 describe in general demographic changes regarding aging from a global and societal perspective
2 describe aging from a biological, psychological and sociological perspective
3 reflect on and describe the development of gerontological theory and research
4 describe and account for the consequences of illnesses and disabilities in the aging process
5 reflect on the living conditions of elderly people and their close relatives as well as aspects of interaction between young and old people from different cultures
6 discuss attitudes towards aging and the development of social welfare for elderly people
7 discuss the environment’s effects on the wellbeing of the elderly
8 identify and reflect on the symptoms of multimorbidity
9 identify and give suggestions for various preventive and rehabilitative measures in cases of multimorbidity
10 discuss the individual care of patients based on the objectives and philosophy of palliative care, as well as aspects concerning health, suffering, the environment and nursing at the end of life
11 discuss and plan supportive efforts for close relatives and caregivers
Course content
Aging in a demographic perspective
Biological, psychological and social aging
Gerontological theories and current research concerning the elderly
The living conditions, morbidity, health and wellbeing of elderly people
Attitudes and values regarding aging, life, death and care in the final stages of life
Common conditions of multimorbidity as well as symptoms and the organisation of care for the most ill and frail elderly, along with current research in the area
The needs of dying patients and their close relatives
The fundamental ideas, planning, organisation and models of palliative care with a view to evaluating this
Teamwork in geriatric and palliative care
Provisions and guidelines of importance to the living conditions, health, welfare, dignity and life quality of the elderly in the final stages of life
Various aspects concerning health, suffering, care and the environment at the end of life
Tuition
Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, individual studies of the literature, and group work as well as field studies in various organisations for the elderly.
Specific requirements
60 credits in Caring Science/Nursing or Public Health Science or Social Work or equivalent and a TOEFL test result, minimum score cBt 173, pBT 500 or iBT 61 or IELTS score 5,0 and no band score below 4,5 or CU-TEP with a minimum of 535.
Examination
Group assignment (GRU1), 1 credit, oral and written group examination with active participation based on learning objectives 1, 5-7. Marks Pass (G).
Written assignment (INL1), 2 credits, written report as well as oral presentation and active participation in the seminars regarding learning objectives 8-11. Marks Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).
Completed field studies (PRA1), 2.5 credits, completed field studies in elderly care/home care/primary care as well as active participation in the courses’ seminars, with presentation of study assignments on learning objectives 2-11. Marks Pass (G).
Written examination (TEN1), 2 credits, individual written examination on learning objectives 2, 8-11. Marks Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).
To receive a Pass with Distinction on the course a VG on INL1 and TEN1 is required. For further details, please refer to the Study Guide.
A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.
Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.
Grade
Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail