Course Objectives

MODULE 3
Illness, functional disability, vitality and quality of life in the elderly(18 ECTS)

Module 3 deals with the limitations and prospects of sick and fragile elderly people, with particular stress on prevention, health care maintenance and rehabilitation in care for the elderly. The theoretical instruction in module 3 will take place during three one-week sessions during the 2nd semester.

Objectives
The students will acquire knowledge which will strengthen their ability to evaluate the complex factors which contribute to the general health of the elderly and meet the basic needs of this group. This will require an understanding of how health-conditions and problems, use of medications and similar factors affect the conservation of physical, psychosocial and existential needs and a patient’s daily activities. In addition, the students will acquire insight into the challenges associated with the most common illnesses of the elderly, acute and critical conditions, and palliative care for the dying. The students will develop the competence they will need to meet and deal with these challenges. They will increase their understanding for the significance of preventative measures and rehabilitative initiatives among the elderly, regardless of the type of help and care they require initially.

The students will acquire an understanding of various aspects of old-age dementia, mental and psychiatric illnesses among the elderly. The students will develop their competence to meet the challenges of such disabilities with respect to the patients themselves, their families, nursing and care initiatives and institutions and assistance programmes.

The students will learn how they can make life more meaningful for the elderly, and become familiar with a variety of approaches related to therapeutic cooperation with the elderly. This will strengthen their ability to organise initiatives so that the elderly will be able to maintain their autonomy and as much initiative as possible. The stress will be on allowing the elderly to experience a feeling of well-being, meaning and control of their lives despite failing health.

Course Description

MODULE 3
Illness, functional disability, vitality and quality of life in the elderly

Prevention, treatment, health care maintenance and rehabilitation in geriatric care

• Basic needs of frail and ill elderly
• Dominating and complex illness among the elderly
• Dominating and complex health problems/symptoms among the elderly
• The elderly in hospitals
• Palliative care
• Care for the dying
• Diagnosis and differential diagnosis
• Mental illnesses among the elderly
• Mental problems among the elderly
• Anxiety and depression among the elderly
• Mental confusion
• Types of dementia and classification systems
• Stages in the development of dementia
• Additional problems with old-age dementia
• The significance of personal background
• Spiritual and existential values
• Fatigue
• Empowerment
• Recognition
• Humour and joie de vivre
• Violence and harassment of the elderly

Assessment Methods

987MOD3
Module 1-2-3: Quality of Life for the Frail and Ill Elderly

During the spring semester of the 1st year of study, the students will work in learning-groups with a self-chosen theme related to the content of modules 1, 2 and 3. The paper should be 3000 words in length. The assignment will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean