Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
This course offers an opportunity to study applied theory and practice relating to ageing in terms of positive ageing, assisting those with age-related illnesses, and the successful negotiation of life transitions. It will be particularly useful for mental health workers hoping to improve their knowledge and skills in working with older persons.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Only postgraduate students in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry or the Master of Counselling program, or students with clinical experience in mental health settings, can enrol in and attempt this course.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PSYC8131
Restrictions
Postgraduate Psychology Programs, MCouns or with permission of Director of Clinical programs
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Leander Mitchell
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course runs in intensive mode in Week 1.
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Aims and outcomes
This course gives students an opportunity to learn current, empirically-drivenﾠtheory and practice relating to psychological aspects of ageing. Topics include positive ageing, diagnosis, case conceptualisation, assessment and treatment of older adults with age-related illnesses, and the successful negotiation of life transitions. The course will be particularly useful for mental health and wellbeing professionals hoping to improve their knowledge and skills in working with older persons.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand current major theories pertaining to older adult development, positive ageing and aetiologies of age-related disease processes such as late-life depression and Alzheimers disease
LO2.
Understand and apply specialised assessment, case conceptualisation, diagnostic and treatment strategies to an older population
LO3.
Formulate management plans for older adults in specialist situations (e.g. long-term care settings)
LO4.
Have working knowledge of age-related issues such as competency and guardianship, end of life and hospice care, psychometric and research paradigms, and public policy
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project | Public Health Message Abstract | 10% |
19/08/2024 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Conceptualising older adults: A case study | 55% |
9/09/2024 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation | Public Health Message Video | 35% |
8/10/2024 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
Public Health Message Abstract
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
19/08/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02
Task description
Your goal is to write up a brief, no more than 350 word summary as to your topic and why you are choosing that topic. This should include making reference to the evidence-base for your topic. References are not included in the word count and you should include no more than 10 references. You will have a chance to discuss the basics of this assignment during the workshop days.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turn-it-In link on Blackboard. Please keep a copy of your submission receipt.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Conceptualising older adults: A case study
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 55%
- Due date
9/09/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
You will write a case study using the format stipulated by the Clinical Case Studies journal (https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ccs (https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ccs)) and following their author instructions (https://journals.sagepub.com/author-instructions/CCS (https://journals.sagepub.com/author-instructions/CCS)) except that the word limit will be between 4000 and 5000 words (not including the Reference list). Your inspiration for the case is to come from an older adult character in your movie or book of your choice. Your task will be made "easier" if the character is one of the main characters as this will reduce your need to fill in information for the case study based on assumptions. Note that there may be some need regardless of which character you choose to fill in some blanks. These should make sense in terms of the overall narrative you are presenting. Movies you might like to consider include: As Good As It Gets; Gran Torino; The Lady in the Van; The Bucket List; Harry Brown; About Schmidt, etc... Books you might like to consider include The Thursday Murder Club (my personal favourite!); The 100 Year Old Man who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared; Olive, Again; Elizabeth is Missing; Before the Coffee Gets Cold, etc.... Please consult with the Course Coordinator on your choice if you want to ensure the feasibility of the character. You will have a chance to discuss the basics of this assignment during the workshop days. Essentially the goal of the case study is a write up of "your" older adult client.
Submission guidelines
Case study to be submitted via the Turn-It-In link provided on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Public Health Message Video
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
8/10/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04
Task description
Potential topics dealing with older adults include: how can hearing dogs improve life for older people with hearing loss; relieving stress in later life; how pets can improve quality of life; how to keep your brain healthy; tips for improving mood or anxiety; how to facilitate emotional recovery after a fall; what to know in terms of alcohol intake in later life; exercise for longevity; the real story of vitamins, supplements and ageing; relating to grandchildren – a survival guide for grandparents; how are mood and the microbiome linked in later life; a user’s guide to retirement; help for bereavement; coping with caregiving; how hobbies assist with ageing; driving and ageing; ageism and its consequences; outdoor activities for restoration and longer life; living with the after effects of stroke; dangers of polypharmacy; tips to quit smoking in later life; improve your sleeping habits with age; etc... You will have a chance to discuss the basics of this assignment during the workshop days. You will have already submitted your Public Health Message Abstract detailing your topic of choice in August.
Requirements:
- 2-3 minute video produced using ECHO360.
- Accompanied by a separately uploadable 1-2 page written summary of your public health message (no more than 1000 words) plus reference sheet (10 most relevant references, that may include published material such as course readings, scientific papers, published chapters or books, and "grey" literature (e.g. government reports). Any on-line links of note will not count against reference total of 10. The idea of the written summary is to provide the evidence-base behind the message you are aiming to get across in the video (i.e., the video should be readily understood by the general public and not filled with jargon, citations, and such).
- References / links do not count against word limit.
- The written summary document is uploaded to Turn-It-In.
- Please note extensions are discouraged for this piece of assessment given that you have between the 5th August and the 10th October to complete this particular piece of assessment. It is therefore an expectation that you manage your time, particularly as the creative content and creation of an actual video is not conducive to cramming the night before, for example.
- We cannot emphasise enough how very important it is that you take on the responsibility of exploring ECHO360 early in the semester to ensure you are able to effectively use this tool and to enable you the time to be able to tease out any issues you may be experiencing. REMEMBER the practice video we created during the workshops!
- It is VERY unwise to think that you will be able to submit the video component on the due date given there are always at least one or two students who experience technological issues. No extension will be granted for such issues unless the UQ servers themselves have issues and a notification is posted by UQ I.T. staff.
Submission guidelines
The public health message video is to be created using ECHO360 and uploaded to the PSYC8291 Blackboard site via the My Media link. Please ensure you share the video as this means that the course coordinator can see your submission. The written summary document is uploaded via the Turn-It-In link on Blackboard. Please keep a copy of your submission receipt.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 46.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 64.50 - 79.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 79.50 - 89.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 89.50 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Workshop |
Introduction to Applied Gerontology and Basic Issues As well as introducing the students to the course overall, this workshop will focus on lifespan theories, sensory issues in later life, and ageism awareness. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Workshop |
Psychiatric Conditions in Later Life This workshop explores issues of assessment, diagnosis and formulation in older adults living with anxiety, depression, dementia, as well as psychopharmacology and medical co-morbidities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Workshop |
Issues and Interventions in Later Life This workshop explores issues of grief and loss as well as sexual identity. The afternoon involves a special guest lecture on reminiscence therapy, as well as a round table discussion of other therapy modalities including IPT, CBT and ACT. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Workshop |
Residential aged care considerations and interprofessional practice with older people This workshop explores contemporary psychological practice in aged care settings, and interprofessional issues and synergies in practice with older people. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Workshop |
Unlocking tools for healthy ageing and assignment wrap-up This workshop explores issues of retirement, planning for healthy longevity, and flourishing. The workshop ends with a discussion of issues and concerns relating to the assignments. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
- Fitness to Practise
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: