N281 – Promoting Health and Wellness in Older People

Prerequisites: N280, N260

Course Description:

Promoting health and wellness in older people

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

  1. Identify common health problems in older people related to the aging process. 
  2. Explain the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the common health problems related to the aging process.
  3. Define nursing diagnoses appropriate for the common health problems in older people.
  4. Implement a nursing care plan addressing specific common health problem in older people. 
  5. Apply the concepts and principles of critical care in older person with acute conditions.
  6. Evaluate available health services for the common health problems in older people.

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Aging Effects 

A. Structural and Functional Changes Related to Aging 

Module 1A. Effects on main body organs 

Module 2A. Effects on body functions

B. Health Implications of Aging 

Module 1B. Physical 

Module 2B. Psychological 

Module 3B. Social 

Module 4B. Spiritual 

C. Common Health Problems in Older People 

Module 1C. Physical problems 

Module 2C. Psychological problems 

Module 3C. Social problems 

Unit II. Promoting Health and Wellness in Older People 

A. Promoting Oxygenation in Old Age 

B. Promoting Proper Diet and Nutrition in Old Age

C. Promoting Physical Activity in Old Age

D. Promoting Mental Health in Old Age 

Unit III. Care for Older Persons with Common Health Problems related to Aging 

A. Care for Older Persons with Visual and Hearing Problems 

Module 8. Visual Problems Among Older Persons

  • Diseases that alter vision seen more frequently as people age
  • Implications of Vision Change
  • Caring for Older Persons with Visual Problems

Module 9. Hearing Problems Among Older Persons

  • Types of hearing loss
  • Causes of Hearing Loss 
  • Caring for Older Persons with Visual Problems 

B. Care for Older Persons with Sleep and Memory Problems 

Module 10. Age-related memory loss 

  • Normal forgetfulness vs. dementia 
  • Causes of Memory Loss
  • Link Between Sleep and Memory Problems in Older Person

Module 11. Promoting Sleep, the Natural Way

Module 12. Compensating for Memory Loss

C. Care for Older Persons with Eating or Feeding Problems 

Module 13. Common Eating Problems in the Elderly

Module 14. Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat

Module 15. Feeding Skills of Carers of Frail Elderly

D. Care for Older Persons with Urinary Bowel Incontinence

Module 16. Common Problems of the Elderly with Urinary Incontinence

Module 17. Ways to Help the Elderly with Urinary Incontinence

Module 18. Common Problems of the Elderly with Bowel Incontinence

Module 19. Ways to Help the Elderly with Bowel Incontinence

Unit IV – Health Services for Older People 

Module 20. Common Health Services for Older People 

Module 21. Programs and Policies to Support Aging and Care of Older Populations

Clinical Practicum: 48 hours