| CODE | GDM2025 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Active Ageing Policies and Programmes | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Gerontology and Dementia Studies | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit titled 'Active Ageing Policies and Programmes' emphasizes that active ageing goes beyond the physical ability or workforce participation of older individuals. Instead, 'active' denotes their ongoing engagement in social, economic, cultural, spiritual, and civic matters. This approach encompasses both frail, vulnerable older persons and those who are active and physically fit. Active ageing is a fundamental right for all older individuals and population groups, regardless of their health condition, whether they live with dementia, frailty, disability, or require care. The concept aims to optimize the potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout an individual's life. Engaging in activities empowers older persons to participate in society based on their unique needs, preferences, and capacities. This study-unit also challenges students to think innovatively, recognizing how prevailing discussions on active ageing can be biased by factors such as social class, gender, ethnicity, disability, cognitive status, and disease—a phenomenon termed 'third ageism' by gerontologists. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit titled 'Active Ageing Policies and Programmes' serves as a comprehensive synthesis of all the study-units and practical placements within the 'Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics'. Its primary objective is to facilitate the consolidation of information and empower students to devise strategic plans and programs for the elderly across various settings, including community dwellings, University of the Third Age Centers, Active Ageing Hubs, Dementia Activity Centers, and long-term care facilities. In this distinctive and concluding phase of the Higher Diploma, the study-unit aims to sensitize students to the challenges inherent in implementing active ageing in contemporary society. It underscores the potential resolution of these challenges through innovative planning, leadership skills, and effective communication. Moreover, the study-unit strives to convey the idea that older individuals, regardless of their physical and cognitive capacities, are not passive recipients of welfare. Consequently, it delves into the concept of 'Active Ageing' to unravel the frameworks of successful, productive, and positive ageing. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - define Active Ageing with particular inference to participation, security and health; - define the concept of ‘active ageing’ as a paradigm that regards the older person as an active participant in an age-integrated society, where older persons are active contributors as well as beneficiaries; - discuss how active ageing arises as a ‘human right’ rather than a ‘need’; - identify the relationship between active ageing on one hand, and autonomy, healthy lifestyle (including nutrition), quality of life, independence, participation, dignity, care, self-fulfilment, control, positive outlook, goals, self-esteem and adaptability on the other; - define the policies of the United Nations and World Health Organisation on active ageing; and - appraise the Maltese journey in active ageing policy, whilst also identifying the nation’s success and failures. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - design active ageing programmes suited for all older persons in care homes, irrespective of their physical and cognitive heath status; - plan wellbeing information campaigns for middle-aged and older persons; - implement communication skills in assisting older persons to choose which various services in a spectrum of civic amenities are best suited to his/her needs; - apply an empowerment outlook when working with older persons living in the community; - consolidate communication interaction between older persons and service providers; and - argue that a happy and successful ageing is not simply the absence of disease but a process that hinges on that interface between social wellbeing and personal empowerment. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Zaidi, and Zaidi, M. Asghar. Building Evidence for Active Ageing Policies : Active Ageing Index and Its Potential. Palgrave Macmillan, 2018. - Hamblin, Kate. Active Ageing in the European Union: Policy Convergence and Divergence. Supplementary readings: - Politika Strateġika Nazzjonali Għal Anzjanità Attiva = National Strategic Policy for Active Ageing: Malta 2014-2020. Valletta: Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, 2014. - National Strategic Policy for Active Ageing: Malta 2023-2030. Valletta: Ministry for Active Ageing, 2022. https://activeageing.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NSPActiveAgeing2023-30.pdf |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Independent Study and Online Learning | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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