Psychology and Psychiatry of Old Age
6 Credits (ECTS)
Psychology and Psychiatry of Old Age
Get 70% back via Tax Credit
€543 refund on this module
Module Description
The aim of this module is to provide learners with a critical analysis of the methods and theories that have been applied to the study of psychology and psychiatry of old age.
It provides a critical analysis of the process of ageing and how it affects psychological and mental processes.
It also covers several aspects of performance, from decline in sensory processes to changes in intellectual functions including attention, memory and language.
At the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate a critical appreciation of methodological issues associated with the study of psychological conditions and psychiatric disorders common among older adults and know how they are linked to societal conditions and expectations.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:
- a Level 6 degree in a related field;
OR
- a Level 5 diploma or higher diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
Preference is given to applicants having a Level 6 degree in a discipline related elderly care and a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in management within the sector.
Target Audience
The target group covers, but is not limited to:
- Care Home Managers and Directors
- Personnel involved in the administration of care to the elderly
- Educators
- Welfare Officers
- Human Resources and Operations Managers involved in the administration of care for the elderly
- Middle Management (such as. senior care workers etc.)
- Personnel involved in family counselling and counselling of the elderly
- Nurses
- Medical Doctors
- Allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, dieticians etc.
Career Paths
The potential positions for which this programme aims to prepare could be: Elderly Care Home Managers/Directors, Elderly Home Chief Executive Officers/ Chief Financial Officers/Human Resources Managers.
It is designed to improve the prospect of employment and career progression in areas including, but not limited, to:
- Community/social services agencies for the elderly;
- Religious organisations which provide care for the elderly;
- Healthcare and long-term care agencies and institutions (state and private).
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Dissertation Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Additional Info
Upon successfully completing the course, you will be able to get 70% of the course fees back through the Get Qualified scheme.**
Due to the modular structure of the course, you may also opt to take individual modules as stand-alone. The entry requirements still apply.***
*Prices are applicable to students who reside in Malta at the time of applying.
**Terms and conditions apply.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Develop skills in consultation/liaison, leadership and education/teaching which will enable multi-disciplinary practice and ability to collaborate with other health professionals and agencies in the field of mental health of the elderly.
- Critically evaluate the changes that older people go through from a biopsychosocial perspective.
- Review and critically reflect on how health changes, cognitive functioning, relationships, personality and ageing, have an influence on mental health problems and adjustment in later life.
- Critically evaluate and apply knowledge of psychological ageing and its implications to different social and cultural contexts.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Introduction to Psychology of Old Age.
- Theoretical concepts related to ageing.
- Major Psychological Issues.
- Psychological Implications of Ageing.
- Psychiatry of Old Age
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Critically analyse the adequacy of theories of biological aging and evaluate the relationship between biological and psychological theories by connecting the course material to the real-life experience of growing old,
- Critically analyse the types of changes that occur in the elderly cognitive system, including memory, intelligence, and learning skills.
- Critically appraise the major life events and social processes that contribute to age-associated changes in psychological function.
- Critically assess possible personality changes as result of psychiatric problems in the older adult.
Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities:
The learner will be able to:
- Critically evaluate research approaches to examining the impact of healthy ageing on cognitive functioning.
- Critically analyse research on the effects of different types of dementia and other psychiatric illnesses on cognitive functioning.
- Appraise key theoretical explanations for the effects of ageing on social and cognitive functioning, with critical reference to the literature.
Module-Specific Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Communicates ideas, problems, and solutions related to Psychology and Psychiatry of Old Age to both specialist and non-specialist audiences using a range of techniques involving qualitative and quantitative information to sustain arguments.
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Undertake independent and self-directed study through researched literature reviews.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.