| CODE | NUR4323 | ||||||
| TITLE | Care of the Old Mentally Ill Person | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Mental Health | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This unit considers the problems faced by the elderly when experiencing mental health problems. The W.H.O. estimates that by the year 2020 depression will become the world's second largest health problem and statistics show that a high proportion of these sufferers are over the age of 65 years. However, this population group also suffer the same broad range of mental health conditions as those in the adult bracket. The unit explores both the unique conditions associated with this client group as well as contrasting their experiences of adult related disorders and conditions. Students are also expected to consider the care management issues associated with the elderly mentally ill. Study-unit Aims To enable the student to develop insights into the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of the development of mental illness in the elderly and the provision of care for those suffering from organic brain syndromes Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - differentiate types of dementia and delirium - specify diagnostic criteria for dementia and delirium - identify the contributing factors in the development of mental illness in elderly people - explain the importance of distinguishing between depression, dementia and delirium - assess the impact of the development of mental illness in the elderly, and his/her spouse or family - discuss the indications and implementation of the various therapeutic modalities that can be utilised for this client group - develop strategies for the implementation of family group and individual therapies 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - assess the health status and plan appropriate nursing care for the client - implement and evaluate the effects of the nursing care on the client - demonstrate the ability to participate in the various therapeutic modalities that can be utilised for this client group Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - Matthews, L (1998) Professional care of the elderly mentally ill. Nelson Thornes Pub Ltd. UK. - Ballard, C. O鈥橞rian, J & Swann, A. (2001) Dementia. Oxford University Press. UK. - Wattis, J & Curran, S (2006) Practical psychiatry of old age. Redcliffe Publishing Lts. UK. - Nicholl, C. Wilson, J & Webster, S (2007) Elderly care medicine. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. UK. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | David Mamo |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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