Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE CMT3048

 
TITLE Communication and Ageing: A Clinical Perspective

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 2

 
DEPARTMENT Communication Therapy

 
DESCRIPTION This unit addresses the area of communication in ageing with emphasis on the typical changes that may occur with increasing age. The students are introduced to the unit by looking at the general changes that are associated with ageing and how these changes may influence ageing individuals' speech, voice, language and social communication. Strategies to overcome breakdown in communication in ageing are highlighted.

Disorders which may affect communication during ageing are then explained with special emphasis on dementia. Different types of dementia are presented. The role of the Speech Language Pathologist working with ageing persons is addressed. This study-unit also focuses on assessment of and intervention for communication disorders in ageing individuals, with special focus on persons with dementia.

Study-unit Aims:

- This unit aims to provide sound theoretical knowledge of the nature of the typical neurological, cognitive, sensory-perceptual changes that are associated with ageing;
- It highlights the effects of these changes on the ability to communicate;
- It also aims to explain the communicative disorders which may affect individuals as they age, with particular emphasis on dementia;
- In addition to theoretical knowledge, it aims to provide a clinical perspective to working with older persons.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

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

- List the characteristic changes that may occur in the communication of typically ageing individuals;
- Describe the role of the Speech Language Pathologist working with ageing persons;
- Report different strategies to overcome breakdown in communication in ageing;
- Describe cognitive communication disorders associated with dementia;
- Define and describe the features associated with different types of dementia and different stages of dementia;
- Utilise communication assessment procedures for older persons;
- Utilise different approaches to intervention in dementia.

2. Skills:

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

- Differentiate between typical communication in ageing and communication disorders in ageing individuals;
- Adopt and recommend specific strategies to overcome breakdown in communication in ageing;
- Make essential clinical decisions regarding appropriate assessment procedures, depending on individual persons' needs;
- Write and implement management plans and intervention strategies for persons with cognitive communication disorders.

Essential Reading:

- Allan, K. (2006). Environmental and team approaches to communication in the dementias. In K. Bryan & J. Maxim (Eds.), Communication Disability in the Dementias (pp. 184 – 200). Sussex, England: Whurr
- Am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen , A., Angerstein, W. and Deuster, D. (2010). Communication disorders in the elderly. Audiological Medicine, 8: 184 – 190
- Bayles, K., & Tomoeda, C. (2005). Cognitive-communication disorders of dementia. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishers
- Burke, D. M. and Shafto, M.A. (2004). Aging and Language Production. Curr Dir Psychol Sci., 13(1): 21–24
- Kitwood, T. (1997). Dementia Reconsidered: the person comes first. United Kingdom: Open University Press
- Mackenzie, P. (2012). Normal changes of ageing. Innovait, 5(10), 605 - 613
- Maxim, J. (2009). Ageing and Language. In: K. Bryan (Ed.) Communication in Healthcare. (pp. 67 - 100). Oxford: Peter Lang.

Desirable Reading:

- Nam H. M., Eun, J. S. and Sok, S. R. (2012). Factors influencing the successful aging of older Korean adults. Contemporary Nurse, 41(1), 78–87
- Papathanasiou, I., Coppens, P. and Potagas, C. (eds.) (2012) Aphasia and related Communication Disorders. Burlington: Jones and Bartlett Publishers
- Shipley, K. G. and McAfee, J. G. (2009) Assessment in speech-language pathology : a resource manual. (4th ed.). Albany: Delmar Cengage Learning.

Supplementary Reading:

- Enderby, P., John, A., & Petheram, B. (2006). Therapy outcome measures for rehabilitation professionals. (2nd ed.). West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Kremen, W. S., Lachman, M. E., Pruessner, J. C., Sliwinski, M. & Wilson, R. S. (2012). Mechanisms of Age-Related Cognitive Change and Targets for Intervention: Social Interactions and Stress. Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 67 (7), 760-765
- Mackenzie, C. (2000). Adult spoken discourse: the influences of age and education. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 35 (2), 269-285.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Ritienne Grima
Charles Scerri

 

 
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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