Nursing the Older Person

Subject 514-770 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

On campus
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 18 hours lectures and tutorial, 6 Clinical laboratory, 80 Clinical Practicum, TOTAL: 104 hours
Total Time Commitment: Approximately 140 hours
Students are expected to devote approximately 5-6 hour a week to this subject and 40 hours per week for 2 weeks during clinical practicum
Prerequisites: n/a
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: This subject requires students to actively and safely contribute to clinical activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Nursing Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Contact

School of Nursing and Social Work
The University of Melbourne
Level 5, 234 Queensberry St
Carlton Victoria 3053 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 8344 9400
F: +61 3 9347 4375
W: www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au
W: www.socialwork.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: In this subject students will gain an understanding of the complex needs of older people in various health care contexts. Through an understanding of ageism and the reality of normal ageing students will be able to identify the features of normal ageing, ageism and elder abuse, and discuss the concepts of dignity, respect for patient autonomy and independence. By learning of the services available to older people across the continuum of care, students will develop a comprehensive knowledge of the continuum of care, including case management, discharge planning, follow-up services and palliative care. Students will demonstrate their ability to apply the nursing process to the physical, psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, sexual and end-of-life needs of older people. Students will be able to identify common pathophysiologies of ageing, including dementia, and recognise the implications of polypharmacy related to ageing. They will learn to utilise skills in assessment, including non-verbal assessment, in order to identify appropriate management of pain in the context of chronic disease. Students will also gain an understanding of the older person in the context of his or her family, and to identify appropriate responses to bereavement, death and loss.
Objectives:

At the completion of this subject the student should be able to:

  • Identify the features of normal ageing, ageism and elder abuse, and discuss the concepts of dignity, respect for patient autonomy and independence;
  • Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the range of services available to older people in various contexts across the continuum of care;
  • Demonstrate skills in applying the nursing process to the physical, psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, sexual and end-of-life needs of older people;
  • Identify common pathophysiologies of ageing, including dementia, and recognise the implications of polypharmacy related to ageing;
  • Utilise skills in assessment, including non-verbal assessment, to identify appropriate management of pain in the context of chronic disease;
  • Gain an understanding of the older person in the context of his or her family, and to identify appropriate responses to bereavement, death and loss.
  • Develop care plans for the older person with complex care needs.
Assessment:
  1. Written patient profile of 500 words (20%) - Due mid semester
  2. Written assignment of 2,000 words (80%) - Due end semester

Students must pass the written assignment to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts: Brown, D. and Edwards, H. 2005. Lewis’s medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems. Sydney: Elsevier-Mosby
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

At the completion of this subject, the student should be able to demonstrate:

  • the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation;
  • evidence based attitudes to knowledge creation;
  • critical thinking problem solving and analytical skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
  • planning and time management skills;
  • intercultural sensitivity;
  • an openness to new ideas.
Related Course(s): Master of Nursing Science

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