Gerontological Nursing (5 ECTS)

Objective

Students
- understand ageing as a social and societal phenomenon as well as the impact of age policies on the lives of the elderly
- understand ageing as a phase of life and can describe the changes and their meaning to the lives of the elderly
- are familiar with the most common diseases and health risks of old age
- know how to apply the multi-scientific, evidence-based knowledge foundation of gerontological nursing to practice
- identify the ethical principles of gerontological nursing and are able to evaluate their significance to the promotion of good life as well as the value foundation of their work
-can apply the ethical decision-making process to gerontological nursing
-understand how memory diseases affect the human life and identify the special needs required in encountering persons with a memory disease
-identify and support the resources of persons with a memory disease
-understand the holistic promotion of functional capacity and human agency of the elderly as well as their connection to the operating environment
- can evaluate the nutritional status of patients and identify patients suffering from malnutrition

Content

- promotion of health and wellbeing of the elderly
- main health risks, illnesses and their treatment in old age
- cooperation with relatives and significant others
- maintenance and evaluation of resources and functional capacity of the elderly
- planning care and services for the elderly
- old age and operating environments
- tests measuring nutritional status and their interpretation and application to care
- utilization of gerotechnology

Location and time

17.11.2025 -19.12.2025
Virtual study period in the Moodle learning environment.
Voluntary support meetings via Zoom.

Materials

Materials will be shown in Moodle.
The following sources are used in the exam where applicable:
1. Vanhuksen hoidon hyvät käytännöt (Terveysportti)
2. Tilvis, R., Pitkälä, K., Strandberg, T., Sulkava, R. & Viitanen, M. (toim.) 2016.Geriatria. 3. uudistettu painos. Kustannus Oy Duodecim. WS Bookwell Oy Porvoo. The exam area is presented in Moolde.

Or Tohmola, A., Matilainen, I., Miettinen, T., & Sanoma Pro. (2025). Gerontologinen hoitotyö (1. painos.). Sanoma Pro Oy.

Teaching methods

e-learning
Individual, group and couple assignment
Drug calculation
Exam akvarium

Changes possible

Employer connections

-

Exam schedules

Assingment due dates in Moodle.

Exam 15.-20.12.2025
1. retake 5.-10.1.2026
2. retake 2.-7.2.2026

Drug calculation exam and retakes will beheld in Exam during the course.

Exam grade can be raised according the Degree regulations.

International connections

N/A

Completion alternatives

N/A

Student workload

5 cr = 135 hours students work.

The workload of the course has been calculated so that 1 cr are reserved for group activities for Seniors, 2 cr for contact teaching, 2 cr for online courses / assignments.

Further information

Previous studies required for admission to the course are Medical Nursing and Pharmacotherapy 1.

Students must confirm their attendance for a course implementation by being present when tuition begins. Students who are unable to attend the first teaching session due to illness may also confirm their attendance by informing the lecturer of this in advance.

Artificial intelligence can be utilized for brainstorming in written assignments, but it should not be used as a substitute for independent thinking and writing. Editing the language and style of self-produced text is permitted, but generating entire texts using AI is not allowed. If you use AI, its use must be transparently disclosed. Failure to disclose the use of AI will be considered misconduct. When using AI, please familiarize yourself with Metropolia's guidelines for AI usage and take responsibility for adhering to these guidelines.

The assignments and MATERIALS prepared by the teacher are works in accordance with the Copyright Act (404/61) for which the teacher has copyright. Assignments AND MATERIALS may not be used except in their own studies. Their public distribution is only allowed with the permission of the teacher.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the attachment "Framework for evaluation criteria of competence"

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam in Exam room (0-5)
Medical calculation (Pass-Fail)
Assignments (Pass-Fail)

By submitting tasks for an online exam or an online course, the student affirms that their demonstration of knowledge is based on independent work and ethical conduct. Academic misconduct may result in a temporary suspension of up to one year from the university of applied sciences. University of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014, Section 38. To ensure independent competence in online courses, the teacher may, at their discretion, require demonstration of knowledge in supervised conditions or through an oral exam. The teacher will inform the student of the method of demonstrating competence at the beginning of the course.

Qualifications

Basics of Clinical Nursing Competence.
Basic knowledge of Pharmacotherapy.