Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Ageing is said to be one of the major forces of the new millennium. It is a universal force that can bring change to society and while there are many challenges there are also many opportunities for ageing to be a force for social progress and development. Understanding the health and wellbeing of the ageing population is critical for health improvement of individuals, communities and whole populations of older people.
This Unit is designed to take a broad view of ageing from across a number of perspectives including the demographic transition and the impact on the population profile, health and welfare costs, and health care delivery; the need to refocus health priorities to address the changing needs of an ageing population; psychosocial and behavioural aspects of ageing and their impact on health and well being; and conditions of ageing and their prevention and management in primary health care settings. Students will examine ageing from a healthy ageing perspective and consider the value of health promotion approaches for older people in primary care settings.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. To critically analyse the basic principles underlying demographic and epidemiological trends in an ageing population;
2. To critically analyse the current age profile of the Australian population and population trends;
3. To critically analyse the frequency of common health problems of older people and the associated risk factors for, and the preventability of some of the common health problems of older people;
4. To critically analyse healthy ageing and discuss associated concepts including determinants of healthy ageing, healthy ageing policy, health promotion in older groups, social resources and healthy ageing;
5. To critically analyse the challenge of applying healthy ageing concepts to a diverse older population;
6. To critically analyse current structure and function of health services for older people and discuss current issues for older people in accessing appropriate health services;
7. To compare and contrast different models of service delivery with an emphasis on primary health care services;
8. To critically analyse a range of theories for promoting healthy ageing and how they are used in primary health care settings;
9. To critically analyse the design and evaluation of health promotion programs for older people in primary health care settings;
10. To critically analyse the participation of older people in primary health care decision-making.

Assessment

Review of literature (20%)
Case study (20%)
Essay (critical analysis)(60%).

Contact hours

12 hours per week including contact time and private study, over 2 semesters - a total of 312 hours.