NRS221 Life-stage Considerations: The Older Person (8)

This subject expands upon students' existing knowledge of adult nursing care with an emphasis on normal ageing processes and associated changing health risk and their implications for the older person and nursing practice. The role of the nurse in the context of an ageing population and primary health care models are emphasised from both institutional and community perspectives. Principles of strengths based nursing, health promotion and health education, in care of the older person are also emphasised.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Albury-Wodonga Campus
Bathurst Campus
Dubbo Campus
Port Macquarie Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: NRS221. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

Enrolment Restrictions

Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing , Bachelor of Nursing Science, Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) courses.

Prerequisites

NRS122 or NRS293

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to associate theories of ageing (e.g. biological, sociological, psychological, and spiritual) with how they impact on the nursing care provided to older people (aligns with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse: 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3).
  • be able to explain how social and carer attitudes impact on older people, including images of ageing and ageing stereotypes and their effect on nurses/nursing care (NMBA 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 4.3, 4.4).
  • be able to evaluate current policies and the effectiveness of local service provision for care of the older person (NMBA 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 10.1,10.4).
  • be able to demonstrate knowledge of the application of legislation, standards of care and the codes of conduct for ethical practice for care of the older person (NMBA 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1,2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 7.8, 9.1, 10.4).
  • be able to undertake a comprehensive assessment of an older person's needs to identify and achieve health outcomes (NMBA 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 9.4, 9.5).
  • be able to plan evidence-based interventions and critically assess their relevance to the care of the older person (NMBA 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4).

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Module 1: Contexts of Ageing. Social perspectives of ageing, ageism, social inclusion, sexuality. Needs of older Indigenous, multicultural and rural Australians. Family dynamics - carer support, stress and burnout, elder abuse. Promoting positive ageing from a community, national and global perspectives. Patterns of health and illness in the ageing process and ageing populations.
  • Module 2: Contemporary Approaches of Care of the Older Person. The well/independent aged person. Health promotion and health education strategies for the older person. Models of care and transition of the older person. Community based care. Residential Based Care - high/low residential care. Acute care. Respite care. Rehabilitation nursing. The inter-professional team.
  • Module 3: Assessment of the Older Person. Theories of ageing and the well older adult in primary, secondary and tertiary health care and prevention. Aspects of ageing: physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs, including sexuality, and the older person. The affect of the ageing process on body systems and functioning to meet activities of daily living. Physiological changes and implications for nursing practice. Assessment tools.
  • Module 4: Considerations for Medication Management. Ageing, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and implications for nursing practice. Polypharmacy. Pain assessment and implications.
  • Module 5: Nursing the Older Person in Acute Care. Atypical presentation. Adverse effects of hospitalisation. Risk factors. Sensory and Motor impairments.
  • Module 6: Dementia, Delirium and Depression. Case studies of dementia, delirium and depression.
  • Module 7: Legal and Ethical Considerations. Legislation, government policies and programs related to the provision of care for older people. Guardianship. Aged Care Act. Advance care directives. Standards of aged care and accreditation. Aged care packages. Aged care sector code of conduct and ethical practice. Implementing appropriate methods of documentation. Discrimination legislation. Elder abuse and neglect. End of life decision-making.
  • Module 8: Future Directions in Health Provision for the Older Person. Aged care workforce. Issues regarding sexuality. Re-imagining the future. The leadership role of the RN in care provision.

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of NRS221 in Session 3 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Perceptions of ageing and aged care: a reflection
20
2
Critique of a nursing assessment
40
3
End of session online test
40

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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