| CODE | NUR1007 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Nursing the Older Adult | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Nursing | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will focus on older persons as active contributors to society. Ageing is explained from different perspectives including the biological, psychological and social changes accompanying it. Although, the study-unit will consider common conditions, syndromes and impairments that are generally present in old age (e.g. dementia, incontinence, falls, immobility), it will also focus on preventive aspects that promote health and well-being (e.g. medication safety in old age, encouraging physical activity, the prevention of falls and continence promotion). The study-unit will also focus on the ethical principles of autonomy and maintaining dignity and how to translate these in any setting where older persons may be cared for, through the use of appropriate communication skills and person-centred/relationship-centred care interventions. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit aims to introduce students to the concept of ageing from different perspectives including biological and sociological ageing. Moreover, a number of age related syndromes will be covered including associated risk factors and the related medical management and nursing care. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the care that should be provided to older persons with common geriatric syndromes; - Explain the meaning of active ageing and the role of the nurse in empowering older persons to age actively; and - Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different care settings where older persons reside or are admitted to and the role of the nurse in developing an age-friendly environment. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understand the meaning of ageism and age discrimination by looking at how older persons are portrayed in the media; - Reflect about the ethical principles of autonomy, promoting independence and maintaining dignity for older persons through the use of video vignettes; and - Describe through role-play, how to effectively communicate with older persons and how to provide person-centred and relationship-centred care. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Touhy, T. A., Jett, K. F., & Ebersole, P. (2013). Ebersole and Hess' Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging (4th Ed): Ebersole and Hess' Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging. Elsevier Health Sciences. Supplementary Readings: - Bond, J., Peace, S., Dittmann-Kohli, F., & Westerhof, G. J. (2007). Ageing in society: European perspectives on gerontology. London [etc.]: Sage. - Mauk, K. (2010). Gerontological nursing: Competencies for care. (2nd Ed.) Jones & Bartlett Learning. - National Strategic Policy For Active Ageing Malta 2014-2020. Government of Malta (Retrieved from https://activeageing.gov.mt/en/Pages/NSPAA.aspx). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Indep Online Learn, Indep Stud, Lecture & Tutorial | ||||||||
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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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