AGES1011 Enhancing Life with Meaningful Activities

The concept of meaningful activities has been associated predominantly with residential aged care. However, supporting older people to continue to take part in meaningful activities as part of their daily lives, is important to maintaining independent living in the community as well. This topic will enable students to differentiate between core and balanced activities, obligatory, committed, and discretionary activities, and how to support older people, including older people with cognitive impairment, to maintain the activities that are most meaningful to them in both community and residential settings.

This topic aims to introduce students to key concepts relevant to understanding meaningful activities. In presenting current issues in the research literature specific to meaningful activities, the topic aims to facilitate creative thinking and student skills in analysis of issues in relation to ways in which elders participation in meaningful activities is enhanced and/or inhibited. In emphasising a person-centred, culturally responsive approach to developing opportunities for and supporting the participation of older people and people with dementia, students will develop skills in working collaboratively and in reflective practice.

1. Distinguish between different categories of meaningful activities
2. Outline perspectives explaining links between meaningful activities and well-being in later life
3. Apply critical thinking to research evidence on current debates relating to meaningful activities in older populations
4. Illustrate the ability to employ a biographical approach to determining potential meaningful activities for individuals and groups of older people
5. Demonstrate capacity to work as part of team to design and support group and individual meaningful activities for a diverse older population
6. Develop strategies for supporting participation in meaningful activities in the community and residential aged care setting