HA 655 - Gerontology

The focus is on family caregiving and health / enabling technologies to support aging-in-place. Aging, spirituality, and spiritual care are explored within the context of adapting to transitions along the continuum-of-care. Interfaith and cross-cultural aspects of religious beliefs and practices are noted, especially as they shape health practices and outcomes.  We then address ethical decision-making and end-of-life care, issues often confronted by health and senior care leaders.  

Assignment Overview

• Assignments: Varied throughout the term
• Interactivity: Discussion Boards and Live Weekly Sessions
• Final Assessment: Research Paper

• Recognize and refute the prevalent myths about aging in contemporary U.S. society. 
• Describe the key demographic characteristics of older adults that may impact the field of health administration. 
• Analyze the factors that may influence life expectancy, especially the achievement of extreme longevity. 
• Apply the major theories of aging from biology, psychology, and sociology to understand the aging process in U.S. society. 
• Examine age-history, period-cohort effects as they relate to an individuals experience of aging. 
• Identify the important cultural competencies needed to serve elder health consumers of diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds. 
• Develop a public policy model that is responsive to the long-term care provided by families and informal support networks. 
• Identify ways in which GeroTechnology can be used in providing home-based care by family and informal support networks. 
• View the range of functions served by spirituality and faith-based practices in elder care across the continuum. 
• Recognize the ethical issues central to end-of-life care and decision making. 
• Appraise older adults as mentors, teaching us how to prepare for our future selves.