Nursing Care for the ElderlyLaajuus (4 cr)

Objectives

The course enhances understanding of individual aging and provides the skills to carry out ethical and individualized elderly care work.

After completing the course, the student
• knows about aging-related changes and understands their diversity
• understands the key special features related to aging, associated illnesses, and principles of gerontological nursing
• identifies the different areas of functional ability and their assessment methods
• organizes the structure of elderly service systems
• identifies the ethical principles of elderly care and incorporates them into their own values as a basis for their work
• comprehends the individual impact of dementia on the person with dementia and family members and recognizes the specific aspects of nursing care for individuals with dementia
• knows the key concepts and vocabulary of the course in Finnish
• can participate in patient guidance situations related to the course in Finnish according to their language proficiency level

Content

• Aging-related changes
• Assessment of functional capacity
• Services for older people
• Ethical value basis of elderly care
• Aging-related illnesses and characteristics
• Basic elements of elderly medication
• Nursing care for individuals with dementia
• Key vocabulary of the course in Finnish

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student
• recognizes some aging-related changes, special features of aging, and illnesses
• identifies aspects of functional capacity and basic assessment methods
• is aware of some ethical principles related to elderly care
• on a general level, acknowledges the impact of dementia on those affected and understands the basics of nursing care for individuals with dementia

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student
• identifies aging-related changes and key characteristics of aging, illnesses, and can choose appropriate nursing methods for the situation
• selects assessment methods for functional capacity and recognizes individual care needs of the elderly
• comprehends the functioning of elderly service systems and identifies the key contents of related regulations and guidelines
• recognizes the ethical principles of elderly care and integrates them into own work values
• understands the individual impact of dementia on those affected and their family members and comprehends the specific aspects of nursing care for individuals with dementia

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student
• can comprehensively examine aging-related changes, characteristics of aging, and illnesses, and understand the impact of health and well-being on functional capacity
• selects appropriate and suitable assessment methods for the situation and responds extensively to the individual care needs of the elderly
• understands the functioning of service systems and applies the content of regulations and guidelines
• comprehends the ethical principles of elderly care and applies them in their practice
• comprehensively understands the impact of dementia on the person with dementia and family members and understands the holistic aspects of nursing care for individuals with dementia