School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Therapeutic Practice with Older Adults
  • Unit Code

    COU2101
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit introduces students to therapeutic work with older adults. It provides an overview of the issues facing the older population and the pressures they might experience. Ethical and legal issues, including those relating to guardianship, relocation of residence, health-related matters, self-image, grief and the aging process, will be addressed. Students will also learn to use some skills for working therapeutically with older adults.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded TPR2101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skills for working with older adults, including developing rapport, assessing their needs, working sensitively, and establishing therapeutic goals for the work.
  2. Describe and justify support mechanisms and services available for older adults.
  3. Discuss ethical, legal and practical issues related to working with older adults, their families and communities.
  4. Explain the special issues facing older adults, including life transitions, health issues, grief and loss, loss of mobility and the prospect of death.

Unit Content

  1. Developmental issues for older adults: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional.
  2. The life transition process: work-retirement, moving residence, empty nest, loss of friends and relatives and health issues.
  3. Societal attitudes and their impact on older adults.
  4. Associated emotional issues: grief and loss, powerlessness, frustration with aged and infirm bodies and restrictions of movement.
  5. Self stereotyping and its implications.
  6. Ethical, legal and practical issues: guardianship; power of attorney, gaining support from others and informed consent and participation issues.
  7. Approaches to therapeutic work with older adults: existential, cognitive behavioural, narrative, strategic and basic reminiscence therapy.
  8. Skills for working with older adults: establishing rapport, developing therapeutic goals, working with other family members and developing understanding of the older adults experience.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will involve formal lectures, audio/visual resources and guest speakers.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentWritten assignment on an issue associated with ageing50%
ExaminationFinal examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentWritten assignment on an issue associated with ageing50%
ExaminationFinal examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Fredman, G., Anderson, E., & Stott, J. (Eds.). (2010). Being with older people: A systemic approach. London: Karnac.
  • Glicken, M.D. (2009). Evidence-based counselling and psychotherapy for an aging population (1st ed.). London: Academic Press.
  • Toseland, R.W. (1995). Group work with the elderly and family caregivers. New York: Springer.
  • Aldwin, C.M., Park, C.L., & Spiro lll, A. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of health psychology and aging. New York: The Guildford Press.
  • Snyder, C.R., & Ingram, R.E. (2000). Handbook of psychological change: Psychotherapy processes and practices for the 21st century. Chichester, NY: Wiley.
  • Scogin, F. (2000). The first session with seniors: A step-by-step guide.San Francisco: Joseey-Bass Publishers.
  • Erber, J.T. (2005). Aging and older adulthood. Southbank, Vic: Thomson Learning.
  • Jewell, A. (Ed.). (2004). Ageing, spirituality and wellbeing. New York: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  • Knight, B.G. (2004). Psychotherapy with older adults. California, USA: Sage Publications.
  • Mcgee, M., & D'Antonio, M. (2001). The new face of aging. Toronto: Spencer Books.
  • Nay, R. & Garratt, S. (2010). Older people: Issues and innovations in care (3rd ed.) Chatswood, Australia: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
  • Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (1996). Guidelines for a palliative approach in residential aged care. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing:Canberra (Prepared by Edith Cowan University).

Journal References

  • Journal of Aging and Health
  • Journal of Aging Studies
  • Age and Aging (Journal)
  • Australasian Journal on Ageing
  • Australian Psychologist

Website References

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

COU2101|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Therapeutic Practice with Older Adults
  • Unit Code

    COU2101
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit introduces students to therapeutic work with older adults. It provides an overview of the issues facing the older population and the pressures they might experience. Ethical and legal issues, including those relating to guardianship, relocation of residence, health-related matters, self-image, grief and the aging process, will be addressed. Students will also learn to use some skills for working therapeutically with older adults.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded TPR2101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skills for working with older adults, including developing rapport, assessing their needs, working sensitively, and establishing therapeutic goals for the work.
  2. Describe and justify support mechanisms and services available for older adults.
  3. Discuss ethical, legal and practical issues related to working with older adults, their families and communities.
  4. Explain the special issues facing older adults, including life transitions, health issues, grief and loss, loss of mobility and the prospect of death.

Unit Content

  1. Developmental issues for older adults: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional.
  2. The life transition process: work-retirement, moving residence, empty nest, loss of friends and relatives and health issues.
  3. Societal attitudes and their impact on older adults.
  4. Associated emotional issues: grief and loss, powerlessness, frustration with aged and infirm bodies and restrictions of movement.
  5. Self stereotyping and its implications.
  6. Ethical, legal and practical issues: guardianship; power of attorney, gaining support from others and informed consent and participation issues.
  7. Approaches to therapeutic work with older adults: existential, cognitive behavioural, narrative, strategic and basic reminiscence therapy.
  8. Skills for working with older adults: establishing rapport, developing therapeutic goals, working with other family members and developing understanding of the older adults experience.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will involve formal lectures, audio/visual resources and guest speakers.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentWritten assignment on an issue associated with ageing60%
ExaminationFinal examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentWritten assignment on an issue associated with ageing60%
ExaminationFinal examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Fredman, G., Anderson, E., & Stott, J. (Eds.). (2010). Being with older people: A systemic approach. London, United Kingdom: Karnac.
  • Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (1996). Guidelines for a palliative approach in residential aged care. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing:Canberra (Prepared by Edith Cowan University).
  • Scogin, F. (2000). The first session with seniors: A step-by-step guide. San Francisco, CA: Joseey-Bass Publishers.
  • Erber, J.T. (2005). Aging and older adulthood. Southbank, Australia: Thomson Learning.
  • Jewell, A. (Ed.). (2004). Ageing, spirituality and wellbeing. New York, NY: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  • Glicken, M.D. (2009). Evidence-based counselling and psychotherapy for an aging population. (1st ed.). London, United Kingdom: Academic Press.
  • Toseland, R.W. (1995). Group work with the elderly and family caregivers. New York, NY: Springer.
  • Snyder, C.R., & Ingram, R.E. (2000). Handbook of psychological change: Psychotherapy processes and practices for the 21st century. Chichester, NY: Wiley.
  • Mcgee, M., & D'Antonio, M. (2001). The new face of aging. Toronto, Canada: Spencer Books.
  • Knight, B.G. (2004). Psychotherapy with older adults. CA: Sage Publications.
  • Aldwin, C.M., Park, C.L., & Spiro lll, A. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of health psychology and aging. New York, NY: The Guildford Press.
  • Nay, R., & Garratt, S. (2010). Older people: Issues and innovations in care. (3rd ed.). Chatswood, Australia: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.

Journal References

  • Australasian Journal on Ageing
  • Australian Psychologist
  • Age and Aging (Journal)
  • Journal of Aging Studies
  • Journal of Aging and Health

Website References

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

COU2101|1|2