Course description
COMM8010 Communication And Interpersonal Skills
Description: This course will focus on dementia specific communication skills, approaches to use, problem-solving approaches, cueing, working in teams, working with families, interagency partnering, confidentiality, change process and quality assurance. Before taking this course it is strongly recommended that students complete 'Overview of Dementia Care'.
Hours: 24
Credits: 2
DEMT8010 Clinical Field Placement (Dementia Studies)
Description: Admission: Must be enrolled in the Dementia Studies Multidiscipline Program. Completion of all required theory courses. Students will be required to successfully complete a preceptored placement. Suitable placement agencies will be identified and the experience planned with the student based on individual learning needs.
Hours: 90
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: COMM8010, DEMT8020, DEMT8030, DEMT8040, DEMT8050, DEMT8070
DEMT8020 Ethics And Legalities
Description: Principles of advocacy and lobbying, the concept of empowerment, legislation, ethical issues and how to effect change in the work environment are emphasized in this course. Accessing community supports/resources, knowledge of the 'system' in which the client, family and caregivers are involved, evaluating services available, identifying gaps and creative strategies to fill these gaps will also be discussed. Note: It is strongly recommended that students complete 'Overview of Dementia Care' before taking this course.
Hours: 24
Credits: 2
DEMT8030 Evaluation And Program Planning For Managers And Leaders
Description: This course will focus on the program planning model and will examine each step in the process. Needs assessment, developing and evaluating programs for clients with dementia and their caregivers, self-evaluation for own programs, facility and management environment, and how to deal with staff will be emphasized.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
DEMT8040 Research And Development
Description: Participants will review neurophysiology, effects of medications, learn about new drugs and related assessment, as well as treatment techniques and their effect on caregiving. The aim of this course is to provide theoretical knowledge about current research in order to apply this to clinical practice.
Hours: 24
Credits: 2
DEMT8050 Overview Of Dementia Care
Description: The main emphasis of this course will be on philosophy of care, i.e., providing a holistic model of care within the existing medical model. Appropriate physical and emotional environment, effects of the disease on caregiver, client and the family unit, role of research on caregiving, and the importance of on-going education to maintain competence will also be discussed. NOTE: It is strongly recommended that this course should be taken before other courses in the program.
Hours: 24
Credits: 2
DEMT8070 Caregiving Skills
Description: Participants will discuss client-centred care, with particular focus on assessment of the client, ADL skills, social and emotional needs. A discussion of assessment, care planning, challenging behaviours, ADLs, programming and caregiver stress are included as integral parts of providing client-focused dementia care. Note: It is strongly recommended that students should complete 'Overview of Dementia Care' before taking this course.
Hours: 24
Credits: 2
Electives: Program Option
Description: Student must complete a minimum of 30 Hours
Elective Courses:
COUN8240 Introduction To Counselling I
Description: This course teaches a broad base of knowledge and skills related to the counselling process. The focus of the course will emphasize the practical aspects of the helping relationship and will include simulations and opportunities for developing a variety of counselling skills.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
DEMT8080 Mental Health Problems In Later Life
Description: This course will present information about mental health problems and their relation to the process of aging. Assessment of specific mental health disorders, including substance abuse, paranoia, and psychotic disorders, and the various treatment modalities and management techniques will be examined. Knowledge about dementia is recommended prior to taking this course. Interventions discussed will be applicable for elderly persons residing either in community or institutional settings. Course assignments will require that students have current involvement with elderly persons. The focus of this course is on a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to understanding mental health problems in later life and will include an examination of personal values and attitudes towards mental health issues.
Hours: 24
Credits: 2
DEMT8100 Drugs And The Elderly
Description: Admission: Diploma/degree in the health or human services field; and/or Current Certificate of Registration - RN., RPN. Recommended for RPNs: RPN Administration of Medications. Drug use in the elderly is an area of concern for all health professionals working with this population. Concerns include overuse and inappropriate use of medications, the rising costs of medications and the risk of adverse drug reactions. This course will focus on drugs commonly prescribed for older adults and age-related changes that affect their use. We will also discuss adverse drug reactions and drug interactions. The difficulties that elderly clients have complying with a medication regimen will also be discussed as well as methods to assist them in taking their medications properly.
Hours: 24
Credits: 2
GERO8010 Nutrition And The Elderly
Description: This course will examine the nutritional needs of older adults. The nutritional implications of the aging process, factors affecting nutritional status, and assessment methods will be discussed. The course will examine nutrition intervention techniques, including education and counselling, nutrition-related disorders, and the relationships between nutrients and drugs. A discussion of food delivery and nutrition programs will include their contribution to the client's social, psychological and nutritional well-being.
Hours: 24
Credits: 2
GERO8020 Changes In Later Life
Description: This course presents changes in the lives of individuals that occur during the course of later life. Included for study will be: the changes in the physical structure and functions of the body; psychological changes and psychological well-being in later life; the effect of aging on the social pattern of later life and of family life; the interaction between the older cohort and society; and the impact on the individual older person of social norms and policies. The focus throughout the course will be a holistic view of the life pattern of the older person, facilitated by the use of scenario analyses.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
GERO8160 Elder Abuse
Description: Admission: Health and human services background and/or current work experience with older adults. The issue of elder abuse is receiving increasing attention. The students in this course will be helped to recognize the potential for, and occurrence of abuse. The definitions and categories of abuse will be discussed, as well as profiles of the abused and abusers. Consideration will be given to factors that may precipitate elder abuse, in the home or institution, and possible indicators of abuse identified. Attitudes, both past and present will be examined. Intervention strategies directed to both the abused and the abuser will be described.
Hours: 18
Credits: 1
GERO8170 Illness And Disability In Later Life
Description: This course presents the older adult living with illness and/or disabilty. Included will be: the age-related dysfunctions which may occur in the body's tissues and systems; the risks and the needs for preventive self-care associated with physical illnesses; trajectories and treatments for common mental illnesses; care-giving issues for the family of the older person; interaction of the older person and family with the health- care system; issues in placement; ethical issues in the care of older people; and the concept of wholeness in relation to living with chronic illness or disability. The focus throughout the course will be a holistic view of the life pattern of the ill and/or disabled older person, facilitated by the use of scenario analysis.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
PALL8030 Foundations of Palliative Care
Description: Students will gain an awareness of what is meant by Hospice Palliative Care and it's development in Canada and Ontario. Emphasis will be placed on the values and principles that assist us in reaching the goals of care. Team work and the development of effective communication with clients and their families will be discussed. The students will explore the value of personal and professional self care while working with palliative clients, the stressors that are involved and the importance of maintaining professional boundaries. This course is a pre-requisite for all required courses to be taken in the palliative certificate program except for Bereavement Issues.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
PALL8090 Bereavement Issues
Description: This course will provide students with bereavement theory and practical applications to assist them in their work with palliative care patients and their families. Topics to be covered will be assessing grief, emotions and grief, complicated grief, grief groups, grief work models, practical therapeutic techniques and grief issues for children. Course assignments and reading will be focused on practical grief work issues. This course will also help students in assessing their own grief issues and how that may help or hinder their work in palliative care.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
