Gerontology (QQI LEVEL 6)

Participant Profile

This Gerontology programme module aims to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills and competence to enhance the quality of life of the older person and enable the learner to develop an understanding of the concepts of ageing from the physical, psychological and societal perspective and to address the needs of the older person in a dignified, inclusive and holistic manner.

Programme Description                   

• Evaluate a range of common age-related psychological changes and their effect on the ageing client.
• Assess personal and societal attitudes towards the older person to include issues of stereotyping, perpetuation of attitudes and personal bias
• Assess the importance of cultivating loving relationships throughout life to provide emotional supports to include the ability to address ageing, death and dying
• Evaluate how services in long term care establishments can assist clients and their families to cope with issues of integration and change
• Examine the issues associated with an ageing society to include economics, governmental policy, housing, healthcare and aids to successful ageing
• Recognise a range of factors that contribute to physical decline and specific physical changes in ageing to include visual, auditory, musculatory, cardiopulmonary and skeletal factors
• Identify a range of entitlements available to older citizens in Ireland to include legal entitlements, professional and governmental services and community and national organisations that provide help for older people
• Research the normal and pathological changes in adulthood and ageing to include osteoporosis, dementias, incontinence, night blindness, hyper and hypo tension and heart disease
• Evaluate older person care provision nationally and internationally to include, definition of old age, institutional care provision, services and supports to promote independent living
• Describe the sociological aspects of ageing to include role transition, family life, spirituality, employment, ageing as a gradual life long process and potential stage of growth, discovery and opportunity