Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

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 (course unit)

• 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) (course unit)

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) (course unit)

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) (course unit)

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

Location and time

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Exam schedules

Part I. Gerontological Nursing 10.3.25.
*
Part II. Caring people with dementia and Part III Geriatrics are in same Exam test, in the period: 10.-16.2.2025
***
Re-exam includes questions from all parts. Answer only parts, which you haven't pass earlier.
1st re-exam: week 14
2nd re-exam: week 18

Nutrition exam in moodle. The exam is passed when you get a grade 8/10. Deadline of test is 29.3.25.

Assessment methods and criteria

Part I. Gerontological Nursing: numerical assessment, level for the passed exam (T1) is 50% correct
Part II. Caring people with dementia: passed / failed, minimum requirement in exam is 70% (H3 level). Oblication to attend lessons 50%.
Part III. Geriatrics: passed / failed, minimum requirement in exam is 70% (H3 level)
Part IV. Nutrition: The exam is passed when you get a grade 8/10.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact lectures, guided work independently and in groups.
Familiarization with course literature, passing exams in the exam terrier.

Learning materials

Nutrition: Study the nutrition material in the Moodle.

Gerontological nursing (materials are in the Moodle)
Ferraro, K. F., & Wilmoth, J. M. (2013). Gerontology perspectives and issues (4th ed.). Springer. (selected parts)
Brown Wilson, C. Caring for Older People : A Shared Approach. (2013) London, [England] ; SAGE Publications. Print. (selected parts)

Caring people with dementia: Jackson, G. A., & Tolson, D. (Debbie) (Eds.). (2019). Textbook of Dementia Care : An Integrated Approach (1st ed.). Routledge. Available as a ebook.

Geriatrics: Kortebein P & Means K. (2013): chapters 2-13, 33,36,40,43,52, 57, 63,64,66,88,89

Other material and articles are addressed in lectures and in the Moodle.

Extra readings:
Gerontology Nursing Case Studies : 100 Narratives for Learning
by Donna J., MSN, EdD, RN, CNE Bowles , and Edd Rn Donna J Bowles Msn
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

Essentials of Gerontological Nursing. Meredith, PhD, ARPN-BC Wallace. Publisher:Springer Publishing Company

Nursing older people Redfern, Sally J.; Ross, Fiona. 4. ed. : Edinburgh : Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2006

Student workload

Total student hours 108 h.
Includes lectures, and online studies. Independent study throughout the course (includes, for example, e-learning, nutrition studies, course literature studying, passing exam).

Completion alternatives

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Practical training and working life cooperation

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International connections

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Further information

Part I. Gerontological Nursing
Part II. Caring people with dementia
Part III. Geriatrics
Part IV. Nutrition