Care of the Older Person: 5N2706
An elective module of the Healthcare Support Certificate however for most employers in the healthcare sector, this is considered to be the most important of all modules when caring for older service users. This module will teach the learners about the natural process of ageing and to look at the whole life continuum up to and including death and dying. It will also highlight the work of support agencies and their functions in relation to caring for older people.
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
- Explore a range of older people’s needs to include physical, social, emotional, psychological, recreational, financial, environmental and spiritual needs
- Summarise the role of the health care assistant in providing care for older people
- Discuss the issues related to an older person with mental illness or dementia and of living with chronic illness
- Recognise the individual needs of the dying older person and their families
- Summarise the range of the care settings for older people and the members of the healthcare team available in each care setting
- Explore a range of specific services that are available for older people to include education, lifelong learning, retirement/the workplace and leisure
- Analyse current approaches towards developing quality in the provision of services for older people and their families to include standards and quality assurance
- Employ effective communication with the older person, their family and the multi disciplinary team
- Adapt care and practices to meet the needs of older people with cognitive and sensory impairment and physical disabilities
- Exercise duties in a way that is respectful to the persons body after death
- Promote a range of aspects of care for the older person to include empowerment, advocacy, independence, individualised care, dignity, respect, choice, self esteem and include family and carers as partners in care
- Give assistance in the identification of how health promotion issues can be promoted in care settings for older people and in the provision of therapeutic interventions that will enhance the social interactions and quality of life of the older person
Assessments
- Skills Demonstration 60%
- Project 40%
Transfer
Successful completion of this component award enables the learner to transfer to programmes leading to other certificates where this component is an elective requirement.