Level/category

General studies

Teaching language

English

Type of course

Compulsory

Recommended year of study

2

Total number of ECTS

5 cr

Competency aims

the main aim of the course is that the students have a basic knowledge in geriatrics, geriatric care, nutrition and medication administration and are able to be able to apply this knowledge in assessing and planning interventions for the unique elderly person in the health care and social sector. Furthermore, the aim is to create a base for ethical decisions and a base for understanding the meaning of basic needs and how to meet these needs in institutional settings

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is expected to
- know the symptoms and care of the most common diseases in the elderly and apply this knowledge in the practical setting
- know the basics in nutrition and understand how the needs of nutrition are met in health care and social service
- know different forms of drugs and their effect on the elderly human body
- understand the responsibility of handling drugs and work according to current regulations
- identify and define the main concepts in pharmacotherapy
- perform dosage calculation correctly and thus grant patient safety
- to apply ethical principles to complex issues in care of older clients

Course contents

Geriatric care and ethics 1,0 ECTS
Medication administration and dosage calculation 1,5 ECTS
Geriatrics 1,0 ECTS
Nutrition 1,5 ECTS

Prerequisites and co-requisites

The fundamentals of gerontology
Senior citizens in the society

Recommended or required reading

Sheila A. Sorrentino,Bernie Gorek 2003
Mosby's textbook for long-term care assistants
Sorrentino, Sheila A.
Mosby’s textbook for long-term care
St. Louis, Missouri : Mosby,
Kane, Robert L 2004 Essentials of clinical geriatrics / Robert L. Kane, Joseph G. Ouslander, Itamar B. Abrass
New York : McGraw-Hill,
Medication administration and dosage calculation:

Chutka D.S., Takahashi P.Y. & Hoel R.W. 2004. Inappropriate Medications for Elderly patients. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Proceedings p. 122-139. http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/pdf%2F7901%2F7901sg.pdf External link. Accessed August 2008.

Ernvall S. m.fl. 2005. Lääkelaskenta. WSOY.. Porvoo. ISBN 951-0-30244-9

Gatford J.D. & Philips N. 2008. Nursing calculation. Churchill Livingstone USA. ISBN 978 0 443 10288 2.

Norris J. et al. (ed.). 1996. Giving medications. Springhouse Corporation. Pennsylvania.

Nurminen M-L. 2007. Lääkehoidon ABC. WSOY.

Larsen P. 1999. Polypharmacy and elderly patients. AORN Journal 69 (3), s. 619-628.

Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö 2005. Turvallinen lääkehoito. Valtakunnallinen
opas lääkehoidon toteuttamisesta sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollossa.
Oppaita 2005:32. ISBN 952-00-1931-6.Yliopistopaino. Helsinki.

Veräjänkorva O.et al. 2006. Lääkehoito hoitotyössä. WSOY. Helsinki. ISBN 951-0-30230-9.

Study activities

  • Lectures - 90 hours
  • Exercise based learning - 0 hours
  • Laboratory lessons and tasks in a simulated environment - 30 hours
  • Individual studies - 24 hours
  • visit to Koskelan sairaala 22.09.08 09.30 - 6 hours

Workload

  • Total workload of the course: 150 hours
  • Of which autonomous studies: 30 hours
  • Of which scheduled studies: 120 hours

Mode of Delivery

Multiform education

Assessment methods

Exams

Teacher

  • Alenius-Karlsson Nanny
  • Dahl Birgitta

Examiner

Sundell Solveig

Group size

No limit

Assignments valid until

Until further notice

Assessment methods

2008-10-07 - Exams

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