Aged Care


Aged Care

Course Code BPS212
Qualification Statement of Attainment
Payment Options Upfront & Payment Plans
Delivery Online & Correspondence
Duration 100 Hours

This course helps you understand these changes, and the ways in which a counsellor, carer or anyone else might interact with and support an older person.
 

Ageing is the process of growing old. It is a gradual biological impairment of usual functioning. These changes have a direct impact on the ability of organs, such as the heart, kidney and lungs and biological systems such as the reproductive and digestive systems, which affect the organism as a whole.

As a person gets older things change in their life: everything from lifestyle to health and their capacity to do things, through to those activities which they choose to pursue.

This course helps you understand these changes, and the ways in which a counsellor, carer or anyone else might interact with and support an older person.

Course Content

There are nine lessons in this module as follows:

1. Understanding Ageing

  • Gerontology,
  • What do we mean by Ageing?
  • Population Ageing,
  • The Effects of the Ageing Population,
  • Theories of Human Development,
  • Erikson’s Theory of Development,
  • Levinson ,
  • Theories of Retirement,
  • Disengagement Theory,
  • Activity Theory,
  • Atchley’s Model of Retirement

2. Lifestyle Changes

  • Relationships,
  • Relationships with Children,
  • Relationships with Partners (Husband/wife),
  • Relationships with Grandchildren,
  • Friendships,
  • Sexuality and Older People,
  • Cognitive Changes,
  • Intelligence,
  • Depression,
  • Determining Type of Depression,
  • Unipolar Disorder,
  • Bipolar Disorder,
  • Causes of Depression,
  • Risk factors for Depression,
  • Men and Depression,
  • Depression in Older People, Symptoms

3. Deterioration of Health

  • Physical Changes –Skin, Hair, Height, Senses, Reflexes, Sex, Eyes,
  • Chronic Health Problems, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, etc.
  • Exercise,
  • Diet,
  • Nutrition,
  • Eating habits, etc.
  • Pain relief,
  • Medication,
  • Stress.

4. Support Services

  • Preventative Services,
  • Occupational Therapists,
  • Physiotherapists,
  • Complimentary Practitioners,
  • Counselling Professionals,
  • Other Support Services (eg. Meals on Wheels, Funeral Services)

5. Enablement Techniques

  • Common Risks for Elderly: Risk of Falling, Vision, Hearing, Nutrition, Sexuality.
  • Techniques to maintain Quality of Life
  • Driving a car, banking, shopping, house cleaning,
  • Gardening,
  • Socialising,
  • Pets,
  • Exercise,
  • Sport

6. Grief and Loss Counselling

  • What is grief,
  • Psychological aspects of Long Term Grief
  • Family, Work, Financial, Loneliness
  • Morality after bereavement,
  • Counsellors Response and Intervention,
  • Practical Intervention,
  • Depression

7. Debilitating and Terminal Illness

  • Dementia, Kinds of Dementia (Alzheimers, Vascular Dementia);
  • Strategies for Counselling the Demented Client;
  • Communication,
  • Daily Activities,
  • Sleeping Difficulties,
  • Hallucinations and Delusions,
  • Wandering,
  • Depression,
  • Terminal Illness: Patients Response,
  • Anxiety,
  • Depression,
  • Guilt & Anger,
  • Defense Mechanisms.
  • Preparing for Approaching Death;
  • Practical Preparations,
  • Emotional Responses,
  • Responses of Friends and Family

8. Losing a Loved One

  • Importance of Loss,
  • Assessment, Role of the Deceased, Death of a Child,
  • Stigmatised Death,
  • Co-Morbidity.
  • Counselling Strategies
  • Bibliotherapy,
  • Use of Rituals,
  • Bereavement Support Groups.
  • Special Therapeutic Situations
  • Traumatic, Sudden, and Stigmatised Loss,
  • Ongoing Support,
  • Social Stigmas of Suicide

9. Ethics and Intervention

  • Barriers to Aged Care Counselling,
  • Addressing the Client’s Needs,
  • Common Legal and Ethical Issues with Aged Care
  • Decision Making Capacity,
  • Competence,
  • Informed Consent,
  • Confidentiality,
  • Euthanasia, etc

Aims

  • Discuss theories of ageing, and to develop an understanding of the different stages of human development.
  • Describe the psychological impact of changes which occur as a person reaches old age
  • Explain the effect of physical health problems on older people.
  • Describe the nature and scope of support services, including counselling, for the elderly.
  • Describe a range of solutions that can enable an elderly person to adapt to changed circumstances in order to continue performing tasks or pursuing interests that are becoming increasingly difficult for them.
  • Explain how a variety of counselling techniques can be applied to specific Grief and loss situations for counselling elderly persons.
  • Develop a strategy for counselling an elderly person who has been diagnosed with a debilitating or terminal illness.
  • Develop a strategy for counselling an elderly person who has lost a loved one.
  • Determine when and how to intervene in the life of an elderly person

For more information on this course, please request your free course information pack.

Finance options

If you are an Irish citizen you may be eligible to receive financial support, meaning you can defer payment of your course fees. Additionally, if you are a resident of Ireland, you may also be eligible to receive a student grant under the Student Grant Scheme

Student support

We live in a society where the pressures of daily living are high with financial expenses, personal and work commitments, and mortgage and rental obligations. Then there are the unexpected life challenges that also get thrown our way. With this in mind the thought of taking on study can be daunting for most people. Here at Learning Cloud we understand that life doesn’t run in a straight line it has many ups and downs.

As an enrolled student at Learning Cloud, you are entitled to access a variety of non-academic support services from the Student Services Unit. These supports are designed to walk beside you throughout your studies they will assist you in life’s ups and downs to provide you the best opportunity to successfully complete your chosen course.

STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

  • Careers Counselling Service
  • General Counselling Service
  • Disability Liaison Service
  • Retention & Engagement Service
  • Student Activities
  • Accommodation
  • E Counselling
  • Your-Tutor
  • Parent support
  • Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP)

Call our student support today on 041 214 0000 or Email Faculty

Get more information

Want more information about financial and student support? Fill out the enquiry form to the right and a study consultant will contact you with the details you need.

How will this course advance my career?

Learning Cloud programs have been developed in response to industry demand and are specifically designed to equip graduates with work-ready skills. Each participant will be trained and assessed in theory and in practical tasks and Real-world exercises are used throughout the program.

Studies prove, time and again, that college-educated workers earn more than those with only a high school qualification. College graduates often enjoy additional benefits, including greater job opportunities and promotions. Though the proof for greater earning potential exists, some might wonder whether the cost of the education warrants the overall expense in the long run.

College Graduate vs. Non-Graduate Earnings

The National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) analyses employee earnings data biennially, according to education level. Findings indicate that workers with a qualification earn significantly more than those without. Since the mid-1980s, education has played a large part in potential wages, with bachelor's degree holders taking home an average of 66% more than those with only a high school diploma do. While college-educated workers' wages have increased over the past two decades, those with only a high school education have seen decreases in annual salaries in the same time period (nces.ed.gov).

How else will I benefit from studying with Learning Cloud?

  • Studying online or distance means you can study where you want and at your own pace.
  • Receive career-focused training with practical, hands-on learning.
  • All course materials are provided and all digital platforms are interactive, work on any device and designed to be fun.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning or Skills Recognition may be available for previous work experience, formal training or qualifications in this field.

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