Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

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

    Gerontology
  • Unit Code

    OCT2206
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit considers aspects related to the ageing process, including the biological, economic, social and psychological issues encountered by older persons and their consequences for both the individual and society. Theories related to ageing and factors that affect occupational performance, health and well-being are reviewed. Models of practice in elder care, and assessments and intervention strategies that enhance occupational performance in self-care and other facets of living are introduced.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the components of performance in self-care, leisure, communication and mobility in elderly persons.
  2. Describe the common conditions that affect the health and occupational performance of elderly persons.
  3. Explain the relationship of occupational therapy assessments and interventions to respective models of practice that enhance occupational performance.
  4. Use standardised measures for assessment and evaluation of interventions with elderly persons.

Unit Content

  1. Abuse, neglect and myths about ageing.
  2. Ageing well and health promotion.
  3. Consideration of mobility related issues - community mobility, driving, wheelchair seating and positioning and falls prevention.
  4. Legislation and policy issues.
  5. Role of culture in ageing and the sensitivities required by health workers when working with various cultural groups.
  6. Working with elderly individuals who have dementia, Alzheimer's disease and psychiatric conditions.
  7. Working with families and carers of elderly persons.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, laboratories, small group discussions, brainstorming, guest speakers and e-learning activities.

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.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestMid Semester Test20%
AssignmentGroup Seminar on Ageing30%
Examination ^Final Examination50%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • Berk, L. (Ed.). (2010). Development through the lifespan (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
  • Boyt-Schell, B., Gillen, G., & Scaffa, M. (2014). Willard & Spackman's occupational therapy (12th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Freegard, H. (Ed.). (2007). Ethical practice for health professionals. South Melbourne: Thomson.
  • Harris, P., Nagy, S., & Vardaxis, N. (2010). Mosby's dictionary of medicine, nursing and health professions. Sydney: Elsevier.
  • World Health Organization. (2001). International classification of functioning, disability and health. Pocket version. Geneva: WHO.
  • Neighbors, M., & Tannehill-Jones, R. (2010). Human diseases (3rd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.

Journal References

  • Australasian Journal on Ageing
  • Ageing and Society
  • Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
  • Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics

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.

OCT2206|2|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

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

    Gerontology
  • Unit Code

    OCT2206
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit considers aspects related to the ageing process, including the biological, economic, social and psychological issues encountered by older persons and their consequences for both the individual and society. Theories related to ageing and factors that affect occupational performance, health and well-being are reviewed. Models of practice in elder care, and assessments and intervention strategies that enhance occupational performance in self-care and other facets of living are introduced.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the components of performance in self-care, leisure, communication and mobility in elderly persons.
  2. Describe the common conditions that affect the health and occupational performance of elderly persons.
  3. Explain the relationship of occupational therapy assessments and interventions to respective models of practice that enhance occupational performance.
  4. Use standardised measures for assessment and evaluation of interventions with elderly persons.

Unit Content

  1. Consideration of mobility related issues - community mobility, driving, wheelchair seating and positioning and falls prevention.
  2. Working with families and carers of elderly persons.
  3. Working with elderly individuals who have dementia, Alzheimer's disease and psychiatric conditions.
  4. Ageing well and health promotion.
  5. Abuse, neglect and myths about ageing.
  6. Legislation and policy issues.
  7. Role of culture in ageing and the sensitivities required by health workers when working with various cultural groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, laboratories, small group discussions, brainstorming, guest speakers and e-learning activities.

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.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestMid Semester Test20%
AssignmentSeminar on Ageing30%
Examination ^Final Examination50%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • Berk, L. (Ed.). (2010). Development through the lifespan (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
  • Harris, P., Nagy, S., & Vardaxis, N. (2010). Mosby's dictionary of medicine, nursing and health professions. Sydney, Australia: Mosby Elsevier.
  • Isted, L., & Freegard, H.C. (Eds.). (2012). Ethical practice for health professionals. Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning Australia.
  • Neighbors, M., & Tannehill-Jones, R. (2015). Human diseases (4th ed.). Stamford, CT:Cengage Learning.
  • Willard, H.S., & Schell, B.A.B. (2013). Willard & Spackman's occupational therapy. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • World Health Organization. (2001). International classification of functioning, disability and health. Pocket version. Geneva: WHO. Note: Seminal Reference.

Journal References

  • Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics
  • Ageing and Society
  • Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
  • Australasian Journal on Ageing

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.

OCT2206|2|2