Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE GER2023

 
TITLE National Studies in Ageing Policy

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Gerontology and Dementia Studies

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit explores what population ageing means with regard to welfare ideologies and systems in modern societies. It will present a detailed review and discussion of ageing policies over the past two decades and provide up-to-date analysis of the current legislations. It also examines the factors that can facilitate or impede the adaptation of welfare systems in the field of ageing and the features that shape and determine such reforms. Although the path taken by a number of governments appear to be different, the processes at work are often very similar. This study-unit provides a breadth of geographic coverage which provides a global spectrum of the impact of population ageing on policy.

Study-unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to address the diversity of strategies and policies being planned and implemented to face the world ageing situation. Lectures will highlight how various governments and civil societies treat older persons as a valuable and productive economic resource that should not be stifled but rather utilised. The outmoded public policies such as mandatory retirement or other disincentives to involvement and participation in society will also be addressed. Another objective of this study unit is to highlight how governments play a fundamental role in ensuring a better quality of life and well-being to all citizens including older persons. Special attention is to be given as to how different countries provide formal and informal care systems to ensure the above. Evidence will be forwarded with regards to ageing issues and policy options.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- describe and compare different ageing policies in developed and developing countries;
- define global patterns in humanitarian and developmental issues related to ageing;
- analyse policy alternatives and options consistent with national values and goals;
- demonstrate national and international understanding of the economic, social and cultural implications for the processes of ageing policies.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- engage in discussions leading to better formulation of ageing policies;
- document the diversity and similarity of various national policies on ageing;
- analyse the distinctiveness of Malta's policy on ageing with respect to other countries;
- report upon action-oriented policies and programmes aimed at guaranteeing social and economic security for older persons;
- group together different ageing policies in overlapping ideological frameworks;
- promote the empowerment of older persons by better utilisation of their skills and resources.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Eurostat, (2011). Demography report 2010: Older, more numerous, and diverse Europeans. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
- Troisi J., & Formosa M. (2006) Supporting Family Carers of Older People in Europe, LitVerlag, Berlin.
- UNFPA, HelpAge International (2012) Ageing in the Twenty-first century, New York, UNFPA.
- United Nations, (2003), Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, New York: United Nations.
- United Nations (1983), Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, New York, 1983.

Supplementary texts:

- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (2008). A Society for All Ages: Challenges and Opportunities. New York and Geneva: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Available at http://www.unece.org/pau/ggp/publications/conference_2008.htm.
- World Health Organization, (2002). Active ageing: A policy framework. Geneva: World health Organization.
- Bengston, V.L., Silverstein, M., Putney, N, and Gans, D.(2009) (eds.) Handbook of theories of aging (2nd ed.). New York : Springer.

 
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
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Alex Gobey

 

 
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.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit