| CODE | PSY5621 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Psychology of Ageing | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit seeks to introduce participants to key topics in relation to working with older people. At the end of the unit, trainees will be aware of important models and concepts in the psychology of ageing, be aware of evidence-based therapeutic practice with older adults and be able to identify the clinical skills required for work with this client group. The study-unit will not cover in depth the neuro-psychology of dementia or neuropsychological assessment. The study-unit includes a supervised practice placement where trainees will have the opportunity to practice leading reminiscence therapy groups with older adults in a range of residential communities.Hence trainees will attend group supervision with the study-unit coordinator in addition to lectures, in order to discuss their practice placement. Study-Unit Aims: This study-lunit is intended to provide trainees with both a conceptual framework for understanding the psychological challenges experienced in old age as well as experience of clinical engagement with older adults. Trainees will be exposed to a range of diverse topics related to the field of modern-day ageing, including assessment, retirement, LGBTQ issues and substance abuse. Other topics include working with and understanding older adults from psychodynamic, existential and cognitive behavioural approaches. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe and evaluate current evidence based practice in the field of the psychology of ageing; - Describe and evaluate the various types of older clients and their challenges in seeking psychological support from psychologists in various settings; - Describe and evaluate the potential risk for discrimination against older clients; - Describe and evaluate the importance of a commitment and strategies for the development of a more socially just society that promotes human well-being; - Critically evaluate the width of psychological theory and research in ageing and their application in psychological practice, including both with older clients as well as consultation work with families and other health professionals; - Evaluate the role of the psychologist in the setting where they are placed; - Display knowledge of theory and research on the practice of psychology of ageing. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate knowledge in designing and leading reminiscence therapy groups with older adults who are residing in care homes; - Demonstrate evidence-based practice in working with older adults; - Integrate relevant psychological theory and research with their professional work with older clients; - Integrate a variety of psychological approaches that may be relevant to their problem solving with older clients and/or other health professionals; - Demonstrate critical reflection and reflexivity in and on their practice; - Demonstrate the application of ethical standards in their practice; - Demonstrate sensitivity to issues of ageism when working with older adults and their carers; - Demonstrate competence in developing a constructive and collaborative relationship with other professionals working with the older client and their families. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Woods, R.T. & Clare, L. eds (2015). Handbook of the Clinical Psychology of Ageing. Chichester: Wiley. (To read: All text) Articles(to read): - Woods, R.T., Aguirre, E., Spector, A.E. & Orrell, M. (2012). Cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in people with dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.; 2: CD005562. - Depp, C.A., Harmell, A. & Vahia, IV. (2012). Successful cognitive aging. Curr Top Behav Neurosci.; 10: 35-50. Supplementary Readings: - Stuart-Hamilton, I. (2006). The Psychology of Ageing. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. - Woods, R. T. ed (1999). Psychological problems of ageing: assessment, treatment and care. Chichester: Wiley. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite qualifications: BPsy (Hons) Attendance is strongly recommended. On the basis of documented evidence, a lecturer may bar a student whose attendance is not satisfactory from being assessed. If the 80% attendance is not reached, students will be awarded a fail. In such cases a 0 mark and an F grade shall be assigned and recorded. The University will not excuse students from missing lectures or other teaching activities, and neither will it tolerate late submission of assignments or any defaults in coursework due to work or unauthorised commitments. No rescheduling of lecturing-related activities, examinations or vivas will be approved to accommodate such commitments. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Yaser Teebi Gottfried Catania Anna Grech Roberta Holland Mariella Mamo Marta Sant (Co-ord.) Christian Vella |
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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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