Nursing the Older Person

Subject NURS90060 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

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

This subject is not offered in 2012.
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 hours a week to this subject and 40 hours per week for 2 weeks during clinical practicum
Prerequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
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 think 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

Nursing
Melbourne School of Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Level 1, 200 Berkeley St
Carlton Victoria 3010 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 13 MELB
F: +61 3 8344 4188
E: nursing-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
W: www.nursing.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: Objectives to be achieved will be driven by the clinical context, but may include the following:
  • Identify the features of normal ageing, ageism and elder abuse, and discuss the concepts of dignity, respect for patient autonomy and independence;
  • 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:
  • 500 word plan for Learning Contract (20%) – due Week 11
  • 2,000 word Learning Contract & Reflection (80%) – due Week 15
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 these subjects, students should be able to demonstrate :
  • the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation;
  • critical thinking and analytical skills;
  • an openness to new ideas;
  • cultural sensitivity;
  • planning and time management skills;
  • the ability to work effectively in an interprofessional team;
  • the ability to communicate knowledge through classroom and web-based discussions and written material;
  • a capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written modes of communication;
  • a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work.
Related Course(s): Master of Nursing Science

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