Social work with elderly people

Structure Type: Course
Code: KF08CPS0710
Level: Bachelor
Credits: 3.0 points
Responsible Teacher: Ranta, Riitta
Language of Instruction: Finnish

Course Implementations, Planned Year of Study and Semester

Curriculum  Semester  Credits  Start of Semester  End of Semester
SOSALA-2013   2 autumn   3.0   2014-09-01   2014-12-31  
SOSALA-2014   2 autumn   3.0   2015-08-01   2015-12-31  

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn to define methods that promote elderly people's functional capacity, social engament and life quality and to provide examples of the how these methods can be used. In professional interaction with clients, students become aware of their conceptions pertaining to elderly people.
Students will learn to plan, implement and evalute day activities that support elderly people's or senior citizens' functional capacity and social engagement.

Student's Workload

Lectures 28 hours, including organizing day activities for elderly clients, 8 hours and independent study, 40 hours.

Prerequisites / Recommended Optional Courses

Major part of the first year studies. The study course "Ageing in the life course" or alternatively taking an exam on the literature as free choice studies is recommended.

Contents

- Professional framework for sociocultural work among the elderly and senior citizens
- Resource- and client-centred perspectives, preventive and rehabilitative approach in work with the elderly
- Gerontological social work/ social counselling
- Reminiscence and the TunTeVa Method for dementia work
- Community care, green environment, senior theatre
- Impaired hearing as a challenge at work

Recommended or Required Reading

- Marin M. & Hakonen S. 2003. Seniori- ja vanhustyö arjen kulttuurissa. PS-kustannus.
Availability: http://tiny.cc/rwoddx

- Lumijärvi H. (toim.)2006. Tunteva yksilö yhteisössä. Terapeuttisen yhteisöhoidon periaatteet ja validaatiomenetelmä Sopimusvuorisäätiön dementia-hoitokodissa. Kirjapaino: Öhrling Oy.
Availability: http://tiny.cc/ovoddx

- Seppänen M., Karisto A., Kröger T. (toim.) 2007. Vanhuus ja sosiaalityö. PS-kustannus. 253-288.
Availability: http://tiny.cc/guoddx

Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lectures, group work and exam

Assessment Criteria

Grade 1-2:
Students are able to name and repeat principles and aims of various methods used in work with the elderly. Students have familiarized themselves with the knowledge base. Under supervision, they are able to plan activities for elderly clients and to implement and evaluate their own and other people's action. Students abide by professional ethical principles.
Grade 3-4:
Students know how to use, compare and evaluate various client and work orientations and methods used in work with elderly people and senior citizens. Students are able to plan and implement client-centred, goal-oriented day activities for elderly people. Students are able to justify their actions in harmony with the principles of professional ethics. They evaluate their own and other people's actions and are able to develop the action realistically.
Grade 5:
Students are able to analyse how methods used in work with the elderly and senior citizens are connected with individual, community and society-level background factors. Students are able to evaluate the use and applicability of various methods in work with the elderly and suggest improvements. They are able to plan and implement wide-ranging activities for the elderly, paying attention to client needs and objectives and to the justification of their choices. Students use professional concepts with confidence. They evaluate their own and other people's actions critically from multiple perspectives and develop them realistically. Students apply the principles of professional ethics with a critical eye.

Assessment Methods

Exam (50%). Group assignment; planning and implementing day activities for elderly people (50%). Both the exam and group assignment are compulsory. The group will write a plan, justifying their choices theoretically and from client perspective. Self-evaluation and feedback e.g. from clients and employees. Active participation and commitment expected.

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