Ageing in Low & Middle Income Countries

This subject is not offered in 2016.

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Low and middle-income nations generally are rapidly transitioning epidemiologically to longer life expectancies and greater proportions of elderly among populations. In these settings, within society and the family, the aged commonly hold high regard and status. At the same time, as people live longer, greater pressure is placed on constrained state and family finances and health systems, particularly due to increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases. This subject examines and builds skills to effectively respond to the complex interplay of ageing, family, society and health in low and middle-income countries.

By the end of this subject students will be able to:

• Articulate the shifting influences of family and society on ageing populations in development settings
• Critically analyse policy relevant to older citizens in low and middle income countries
• Explore responses to ageing-related health conditions in development contexts, e.g. non-communicable diseases, mental health and disability
• Assess health systems impacting aged citizens in low and middle income countries
• Reflect on the lived experiences and agency of the aged in development settings

• Weekly Contribution to online discussions (1000 words) (20%)
• Scenario-based critical reflection (1000 words or equivalent) due middle of the teaching period (20%)
• One 3,000-word assignment due at the end of the teaching period (60%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students will be provided with the opportunity to practise and reinforce:

• High-level skills in critical thinking and analysis
• Advanced written communication skills
• The ability to connect theoretical concepts to everyday practice
• Competency in sourcing, assessing and applying evidence