NS5601 - Processes of Normal Ageing

Credit points:	03
Year:	2007
Student Contribution Band:	National Priority Band
Administered by:	Discipline of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition

This subject provides a knowledge base which the gerontological nurse can access to plan and manage the care of the aged. Students will extend their knowledge of the physiological changes which occur during ageing. They will explore the psychosocial changes which occur at this stage of development. This makes it possible for the students to differentiate between the changes related to the ageing process and those related to lifestyle and pathology when assessing health status and planning care for the aged in different clinical settings.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate an understanding of the psychosocial changes which occur during ageing;
• describe the ageing process at cell, tissue and organ levels in the body;
• demonstrate an understanding of the current biological theories of ageing;
• identify the problems which may arise as a result of the psychosocial changes;
• outline the changes which occur physiologically related to each body system during ageing;
• outline the developmental theories of ages;
• relate knowledge of the changes which occur as part of the normal ageing process to the nursing care of the aged in different health care settings.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to deploy critically evaluated information to practical ends;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• An understanding of the economic, legal, ethical, social and cultural issues involved in the use of information;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning, and to learn independently in a self directed manner;
• The ability to manage future career and personal development;
• The ability to read complex and demanding texts accurately, critically and insightfully;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to generate, calculate, interpret and communicate numerical information in ways appropriate to a given discipline or discourse;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to work with people of different gender, age, ethnicity, culture, religion and political persuasion;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies;
• The ability to use online technologies effectively and ethically.

Availabilities
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 30-Mar-2007
Coordinator:	Mrs Joanne Tollefson
Lecturers:	Dr Ann Bonner, jc154124.
Method of Delivery:	Printed materials
Assessment:	assignments.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.