| CODE | GER1002 | ||||||
| TITLE | Physiological and Medical Issues in Later Life | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Gerontology and Dementia Studies | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Students will be taught how specific organs and systems in the human body change in function with ageing and how such changes can influence the characteristic features of illness in old age, such as atypical presentations and the common geriatric syndromes of instability, immobility, incontinence, leading to the need for specific assessments, management and services. Study-unit Aims: To demonstrate that: 1) There is a difference between normal and pathological ageing. 2) Older persons when ill have characteristic presentations and needs that differ from younger age groups. 3) Such problems are treatable if assessed and managed comprehensively and properly by a team of different disciplines. 4) Specialised services are recommended for frail older persons. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the physiological changes of specific organ systems with age. - Differentiate between normal and abnormal ageing. - Analyze frailty and its association with vulnerability. - Explain the interrelationship of medical, functional and social problems and how they should be assessed and managed. - List the geriatric giants, their causes and how they should be managed. - Explain what specific services are recommended for frail older persons. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Carry out a comprehensive geriatric assessment. - Use common clinical tools such as the Barthel ADL index and the Mini Mental State - Conduct an examination to quantify functional and cognitive abilities. - Audit the quality of care given to frail older persons in institutions. - Manage case scenarios in a classroom setting. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text - Kane, R,L., Ouslander, J.G. and Abrass, I.B. (2004). 'Essentials of Clinical Geriatrics'. McGraw Hill - ISBN 0071409203. - Bowker, L., Price, J. and Smith, S. (2012). 'Oxford handbook of Geriatric Medicine'. OUP Oxford - ISBN 1405120339. Supplementary Reading - Gupta A. (2008) 'Measurement Scales used in Elderly Care'. Radcliffe Publishing Ltd - ISBN 9781846192661. - Denham M. (1991). 'Care of the Longstay Elderly Patient'. Chapman & Hall - ISBN 0412347709. - Masoro, E.J. and Austad, S.N. (2010) (eds.) Handbook of the biology of aging (7th ed.). San Diego: Academic Press. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This study-unit is only offered to students following the Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics course. | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Doriella Galea |
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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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