The Geriatric and Specially Dependent Patient (5 cr)

Objective

The student:
- understands the meaning of ageing
- is able to plan, execute and evaluate the health promoting and performance supporting nursing care of the elderly
- is able to evaluate the risks related to the health, environment and life of the elderly and can direct the patient to relevant services
- is able to co-operate with the elderly and his next of kin in order to make informed decisions related to his health promotion and to support his dignified life
- is able to provide health care in the patients home
- is able to provide symptom-related and humane nursing care for the terminally ill and for those suffering from long-term illness, as well as to support his next of kin

Content

Contents:
- ageing as a community phenomenon and the ethical questions in geriatric care
- the multifaced changes related to ageing
- the special needs related to acute and log-term nursing care of the elderly
- pharmacological specialties related to the elderly
- the evaluation and support of the strengths and performance of the elderly and the rehabilitating work
- health checks, preventive home visits and the special needs related to health promotion, i.e. nutrition, exercise, sleep, drugs, sexuality, moods
- the possibilities of health technology
- multiagency co-operation, the inclusion of the family and next of kin, nursing and service planning
- the nursing care of the oncological patient
- palliative nursing
- geriatry and oncology

Location and time

Spring 2025. Myllypuro campus. Look schedule.

Materials

Gerontological nursing study material:
1. Tilvis, R., Pitkälä, K., Strandberg, T., Sulkava, R. & Viitanen, M. (ed.) 2016. Geriatrics. 3rd revised edition. Publishing Oy Duodecim. The sections to be read will be reviewed in the orientation
3. Cancer: Heikki Joensuu and Peter J. Roberts 2013 Available as an online book Duodecim, Oppiportti. The sections to be read will be reviewed in the orientation
4. Palliative care:
Saarto et al. 2015. Palliative care. Available as an online book Duodecim, Oppiportti. The sections to be read will be reviewed in the orientation
5. Other material assigned by teachers (in Moodle)

Teaching methods

Activating lectures and class work
Small group work
Online working
Independent study

Employer connections

-

Exam schedules

Drug calculation exam
The actual exam in connection with the course orientation
Re-exam: Drug calculation (2 times) during the study period (times are announced in the order of the lesson). Drug calculation exam (accepted-rejected) must be 100% correct

The return dates for assignments and exams will be announced during the orientation class.

The opening hours of the geriatrics exam and the gerontological nursing exam (online exams) and the points of the exam time will be announced during the orientation class.

Geriatrics exam evaluation pass-fail. (Approved 80% correct) Can be re-exam several times during the study period

Gerontological exam evaluation 0-5. Only one time. A failed exam can be retake a one times. Student can use during exam material. Home-exam. Re-exam days will be announced at orientation.

There is one possibility of an increase grade because there is an opportunity to use literature during the exam. Home-exam

International connections

N/A

Completion alternatives

No optional execution methods

The study course can be partially or fully credited based on previously acquired skills in accordance with the AHOT instructions (see OMA). The AHOT process is started before the start of the study period. The student registers for the course and attends the orientation class. A partial voluntary decision must be presented to the teacher (Heli Laaksonen) in charge of the course before the orientation, in this context the method of completion of the missing part is agreed upon

Student workload

1 ECTS = 27 hours
5 ECTS = 135 t of student work approx. 3.3 work weeks

Further information

The prerequisite for admission to the course is participation in the orientation class. The student confirms his place by completing the course by being present at the start of the lesson. If the student is unable to attend the beginning of the lesson due to illness, he can also confirm his place of study by informing the teacher in charge in advance. (Teacher in charge of this course: Heli Laaksonen)

Simulation and laboratory hours must be replaced in attendance, these cannot be replaced with a separate written assignment
The group work is presented on the seminar day, participation is mandatory, if you are unable to participate due to health reasons, compensation this situation must be agreed together with the teacher and the group.

The assignments and MATERIALS prepared by the teacher are works according to the Copyright Act (404/61), to which the teacher has the copyright. Assignments AND MATERIALS may not be used other than in their own studies. Their public distribution is only allowed with the teacher's permission.

In this course, you can use AI to brainstorm and create drafts. Additionally, AI can be utilized for structuring text and checking language, but it is not allowed to replace the actual thought and writing work done by the student. The student must describe openly and transparently how and where they have used AI tools in their work. Detailed instructions on the use of AI and citation guidelines can be found on the Student's Desk (Oma) under Student Guide > Instructions and Rules > Use of AI in Teaching and Learning Activities and Theses.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the attachment "Framework for evaluation criteria of competence"
Evaluating competences evaluation criteria competent/intermediate level is used.

Assessment methods and criteria

1. Final exam of the course
2. Learning diary
3. Oppiporti's online course: Delirium of a hospital patient pass-fail, Rai online courses, Terminal care, Medical care for the elderly
4. Written group assignement: Disability pass-fail
5. Approved drug calculation exam
6. Simulation 100% participation
7. Laboratory classes 100% participation

Active participation during course may rise final evaluation from course.

Qualifications

The student and tutor teacher go through other recommended studies in HOPS discussions