AGES8023 Healthy Ageing (Mental Health)

2015

4.5

4 x 2-hour tutorials per semester
1 x 9-hour independent study weekly
1 x 2-hour on-line tutorial per semester

1 Admission into GCPCAC-Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care in Aged Care
1a Admission into MPCAC-Master of Palliative Care in Aged Care
1b Admission into MAG-Master of Applied Gerontology
1c Admission into GDPAG-Graduate Diploma in Applied Gerontology
1d Admission into GCAG-Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d))

Familiarity in the use of literature and accessing relevant data bases including OVID Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and any others appropriate to the area of study.

Students who do not meet the prerequisite requirements may be allowed to enrol under specific circumstances with permission of the course coordinator.

Assignment(s); Library Exercise; Tutorial Participation

The purpose of this topic is to explore mental health or well-being in later years by reviewing the current understanding and varying points of view (i.e., theoretical perspectives) regarding the more common psychogeriatric conditions. The topic pays particular attention to the concept of `normative¿ behaviour during later life, how `aberrant' behaviours are interpreted, aspects of subjective well-being and psycho-social influences on mental well-being. An interactive learning experience based on case studies will enable students to focus on an in-depth examination of, inter alia, depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments. Non-pharmacological treatment approaches and the role of significant others and past experiences will also be explored.

The aim of this topic is promote understanding of mental health and ageing. Causal factors contributing to the onset of mental disorders and maintenance or return to mental health will be explored from a range of multidisciplinary perspectives.

On completion of this topic, students are expected to:

1. Recognise the main issues relating to mental health in later life
2. Identify the major mental disorders associated with old age
3. Distinguish between the major perspectives on what constitutes mental disorder
4. Demonstrate an awareness of the major debates regarding anxiety, depression, dementia and other psychotic disorders in later life
5. Critique information from literature and other sources relating to the distribution, determinants and control of mental disorder and maintenance of mental health in later life
6. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding that enables the student to critically evaluate current research and practice
7. Demonstrate ability to evaluate a hypothetical case and present a case study, including possible treatments or interventions to promote mental health.