| CODE | GER5037 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Social Policies, Programmes and Services in the Field of Ageing | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Gerontology and Dementia Studies | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | One aspect of being old which is culturally constant is the symbolic loading of old age in society with undesirable traits or stigma. The participants in this study-unit are helped to realise that there are different ways of seeing, understanding and explaining the social process of ageing and the socio-political contexts in which these processes occur. It is, however, necessary to examine the social and cultural changes which have been affecting the family. Significant differences exist between developed and developing countries in terms of the kinds of households in which older persons live. Among the emerging trends of family changes, one notes the reduction in family size and their dispersion as a result of which the number of potential carers for dependent old family members is being drastically reduced. Moreover, the changing role of women and their ever increasing participation in the labour force outside the home, further diminishes their availability as caregivers. It can no longer be assumed that female relatives will be available for full-time care. Furthermore, because of increased longevity, younger relatives, mainly daughters who used to be expected to take care of the elderly relative, especially those who are frail, are more likely to be already old themselves. Consequently, the needs of the frail older persons can no longer be met by the family alone without the support of specialised programmes and services sponsored by the State. This study-unit analysis the various policies, programmes and schemes, implemented over the past decades by various governments and civil society including voluntary organisations which have contributed to the well-being of older persons. Special emphasis is made on how Maltese society, in its attempt at considering older persons as contributors to society and not merely as receivers, is changing from a Welfare State ideology to a Welfare or Caring Society ideology. It is essential to integrate the evolving process of global ageing within the larger process of development. Policies on ageing deserve close examination from the developmental perspective of a broader life course and a society-wide view, taking into account recent global initiatives and the guiding principles set down by the two World Assemblies on Ageing and the ensuing International Plans of Action. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims at enabling students to develop a conceptual framework of the various social policies and strategies targeting older persons on global and national levels. Another goal is to discuss in detail distinct programmes and services for older persons in different countries. Lectures will elaborate on different policy aspects - eg. housing, social care, residential placement, etc. - that effect the every day life of significant numbers and percentages of older persons. This study-unit is essential for the understanding of the shifting welfare mix in various countries and the implicit consequences for the state and for society, of caring for older persons. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - differentiate between the basic principles underlying community services and institutionalisation; - distinguish the socio-economic and political undertones of the Welfare State and Welfare Societies ideologies; - recognise the socio-political and administrative background of establishing sustainable care policies; - become aware of the role and function of civil society, especially voluntary care agencies and older persons themselves in meeting the consequences of population ageing; - are able to familiarise themselves with the 'needs' and 'wants' of older persons in modern society. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify the short- and long-term goals of social policies, programmes and services; - carry out a 'needs' assessment process underlying the establishment of gerontological services; - engage in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes and services in their own country; - develop and implement policy statements ensuring that any form of discrimination based on age (ageism) is ideally abolished; - understand the importance of strengthening solidarity between generation based on equity and reciprocity. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: Wacker, R.R. and Roberto, K.A. (2011). Aging social policies: An international perspective. Thousand Oakes, CA: Sage Publications. Wacker, R.R. and Roberto, K.A. (2013). Community resources for older adults: Programs and services in an era of change. 4th Edition. Thousand Oakes, CA: Sage Publications. Supplementary readings: Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing (2013). National strategic policy for active ageing: Malta 2014-2020. Malta: Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing. Sidorenko, A. and Walker, A. (2004). The Madrid international plan of action on ageing: From conception to implementation. Ageing & Society, 24 (2): 147-165. United Nations (1991). The United Nation’s principles for older persons. New York: United Nations. United Nations (2002). Madrid international plan of action on ageing. New York: United Nations. United Nations (2002). Regional implementation strategy for the Madrid international plan of action on ageing. New York: United Nations. United Nations Populations Fund and HelpAge International (2011). Overview of available policies and legislation, data and research, and institutional arrangements relating to older persons - Progress since Madrid. New York: United Nations Populations Fund and HelpAge International. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Group Learning | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Marvin Formosa |
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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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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