Care of the Older Person

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Location of Course Nationwide
Methods of Assessment The component certificate is assessed using a skills demonstration 60% and a project 40%
Learning Outcomes Discuss a range of age related issues to include healthy ageing, global and national demographic trends, the normal physiological and psychological processes of ageing, the social impact of ageing on older people and differing attitudes to ageing and older people

Analyse the roles of the health care assistant in promoting positive attitudes to ageing and of statutory and voluntary agencies in promoting the well being of older people

Examine a range of concepts and practices to include preparation for retirement and the ethnic and cultural influences on the older person

Further Enquiries Siobhan O'Callaghan
Tel: 01 291 1963
Fax: 01 293 8957
Email: siobhan@paramounthr.ie
Entry Requirements Leaving Certificate
Course Content Unit 1
 Healthy ageing
 Awareness of national and global demographic trends
 The normal physiological process of ageing
 The normal psychological process of ageing
 The social impact of ageing on older people
 Differing attitudes to ageing and older people
 Promoting positive attitudes to ageing
 Role of statutory and voluntary agencies in promoting the well-being of older people
 Preparation for retirement
 Appreciation of the ethnic and cultural influences on the older person

Unit 2
 Identify the care settings for older people
 Identify members of the health care team available in each care setting
 Identify a range of specific services that are available for older people in the areas of education, life long learning, the workplace, leisure and retirement
 Current approaches towards developing quality in the provision of services for older people and their families to include standards and quality assurance
Unit 3

 Range of needs of older people: emotional, psychological, recreational, financial, environmental and spiritual
 The role of the health care assistant in providing care for older people
 Communicate effectively with the older person, his/her family and the multidisciplinary team
 Promote the following in caring for the older person: advocacy; empowerment; independence; individualised care; dignity; respect; choice; self-esteem
 Understand the importance of family/carers as partners
 Strategies to improve personal effectiveness in the workplace
 How health promotion issues can be introduced in care settings for older people
 Provision of therapeutic interventions that will enhance social interactions and quality of life of the older person
Unit 4
 Identify and adapt care and practices to meet the needs of older people with cognitive and sensory impairment and/or physical disabilities
 Issues related to an older person with mental illness
 Issues related to an older person with dementia
 The impact of living with chronic illness
 Individual needs of the dying person and their families
 Performance of duties in a way that is respectful to the person’s body after death

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment Running on an ongoing basis 2012/13
FETAC Code D20180: Care of the Older Person
Duration 5 days
Course Fee Price TBC
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes