Social work with the older adults (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The student understands ageing changes in individual, community’s, and society level, based on ageing study. The student defines ageing applying approach that emphases on empowerment, resources, and client orientation as aged. The student understands the key concepts of ageing studies as evaluating agency and capabilities of aged client and the close ones in demands of everyday life. The student applies the principles of gerontological social work and counselling, as working systematically and evaluatively together with aged clients and their close ones. The student understands legislation and official recommendation as planning systematically and evaluatively social work and counselling practice and social services, also as developing counselling profession. The student uses participatory and empowering methods as working systematically and evaluatively with aged, to reinforce and maintain participation, agency, and independent living in everyday life.

Content (course unit)

Social gerontology and its key concepts, definitions, and theories, emphasizing resources, participation and agency orientated approaches on ageing and aged in the context of social work and counseling. The main professional practices of gerontological social work and counselling to support independent living of the aged, in the everyday life context. Aged as a client in social welfare and heath care services, service need assessment process and service paths. Legislation and official recommendations as frame, working with aged and their close ones. Participatory and empowering working methods and tools to reinforce and maintain participation and agency of aged. Critical approach as looking at aged as citizens, their resources and status in society.

Prerequisites (course unit)

The student has completed the compulsory studies preceding the advanced studies according to the curriculum.

Location and time

Opintojen aloitusinfo pidetään 20.1.2026 kello 17-19. Aloitusinfo nauhoitetaan, mutta toivotaan osallistumista on-line. Moodlealusta avataan opiskelijoille aloitusinfossa.

Assessment scale

0-5

Further information

Avoimen ammattikorkeakoulun opiskelijoille: . Opintojakso kuuluu sosiaalialan syventäviin opintoihin. Esitietovaatimuksena: Opiskelija on suorittanut syventäviä opintoja edeltävät opetussuunnitelman mukaiset pakolliset opinnot. (Ensimmäisen vuoden opinnot). Opintojakso toteutuu verkossa.