Working with Older People

Learners will be able to assess the physical, social, psychological, cultural and spiritual needs of older people, recognise the impact of ageism and elder abuse on health and wellbeing, and evaluate issues associated with balancing autonomy and risk. The course will also consider social work practices to empower and to promote the independence, health and wellbeing of older people.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to

• Analyse the implications of social and demographic changes for the health and wellbeing of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Critically review contemporary developments in social and health care policy for older people.
• Assess the physical, social, psychological, cultural and spiritual needs of an older person(s) and the impact of ageism and elder abuse on their health and wellbeing.
• Propose and evaluate social work practices that empower and promote the independence, health and wellbeing of older people while balancing autonomy and managing risk

Course content includes

• Older people in Aotearoa New Zealand – including contemporary social and demographic changes; cultural diversity and different family formations; key social and health care policy issues.
• The nature of ageing – including psychological; biological and physical changes; transition and coping strategies.
• Health and wellbeing issues in old age – including psychological health; managing chronic disease; living with disability; dementia; dying, death and dignity.
• Ageism – societal attitudes, challenging prejudice and discrimination.
• Carers, communities and older people – including balancing needs and rights; informal care; gender, sexual identity and orientation issues; social support networks; care in rural and remote areas.
• Out of home care ¬– hospitals, respite and residential care.
• Elder abuse – financial abuse, psychological abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse
• Cultural diversity and spirituality.
• Balancing rights and risks and promoting autonomy.
• Advocacy and campaigning approaches to promoting change
• Mental health issues – depression and dementia.
• Community and home-based support services – independent living services, assistive technology and telecare.
• Skills to analyse, organise and apply research findings

Assessment

100% internal assessment 

Textbooks

No textbooks are required for this course

Computer and internet requirements

This course is delivered online, so you will access your course material and submit assessments online. Our online courses may include reading, videos, quizzes or activities, and you may need to download content.

For online learning you need:

• Access to a laptop or desktop computer
• Reliable internet and data plan.  

If you are unsure if your current computer, Windows or internet access will allow you to study online, please contact us before applying to enrol. 

Find out more about online learning 

How to enrol

Before enrolling in this course you need to:

• choose the qualification you will study the course under
• check the order that courses in the qualification should be studied in the Qualification Structure table. This is in the Choose courses and apply tab on the qualification page.