Nursing Care of Elderly Patients (4op)

Tavoitteet

The student is able to
- apply their knowledge of changes related to ageing, health risk factors and most common illnesses of the elderly in their nursing care
- apply the principles and recommendations related to the assessment of the functional capacity, service needs of elderly patients and service guidance
- apply the main principles of rehabilitation and resource-oriented care while supporting health, functional capacity and care for elderly patients
- apply research data and recommendations in the planning, implementation and assessment of the quality of care for elderly patients
- describe and justify the most common examinations and procedures needed in the nursing care of elderly patients when the general condition of the elderly patient has suddenly deteriorated
- describe the special features of interaction and guidance in the nursing of elderly patients and patients with a memory disorders
- describe and justify the use of digital and technological aids in the monitoring and treating of the health of elderly patients and their rehabilitation

Toteutustapa

Daytime learning:

The implementation of the studies is supported by a learning environment built in Canvas, but it is important for learning to participate in the on-campus lessons according to the schedule. The studies involve individual learning in Canvas as well as pair and group work in the lessons and simulation.

Personal feedback on assignments will be provided by the instructor. The evaluative tasks include the Nursing Skills Theory test: Gerontological nursing competence (YleSh) and the assessable Canvas assignments. Additionally, successfully completing the final test in Geriatrics and Gerontological Nursing is included in the course.

Aika ja paikka

Teaching takes place in Otaniemi campus.

Please refer to the Timetable Engine at https://lukkarit.laurea.fi/ for the schedule information. Laurea reserves the right to modify the timetable.

Oppimateriaali ja suositeltava kirjallisuus

Materials are provided in Canvas and during lessons. Here are some of the material in the course:

Act on Supporting the Functional Capacity of the Older Population and on Social and Health Services for Older Persons. 980/2012.
EBM Guidelines. 2018 (updated 2019). Clinical assessment of memory impairment.
EBM Guidelines. 2018. Treatment of a patient with memory disease.
EBM Guidelines. 2018. Memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
EBM Guidelines. Risk factors for and prevention of memory disorders.
EBM Guidelines. Reviewing an elderly patient's medications (soveltuvin osin).
EBM guidelines. Nutritional disorders in the elderly.
Ferraro, K. & Wilmoth, J. 2013. Gerontology: Perspectives and Issues (4th Edition). Springer Publishing Company.
Fimea 2018. Medication of elderly and Meds 75+ database.
Hutchison, L. C. 2015. Fundamentals of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy. ASHP. (Chapters 3-6.) Available at ProQuest Ebook Central.
Nurses collegiality guidelines.
Kwon, S. 2016. Gerontechnology: Research, practice, and principles in the field of technology and aging. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. E-book available.

Toteutuksen valinnaiset suoritustavat

According to the degree regulations (2024), Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when and how the competence has been acquired. ... At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence. Further information in the student intranet.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Toteutuksen tärkeät päivämäärät

Based on the degree regulations (2024), the student accepted for the implementation is required to confirm their participation by showing activity at the start of the study in the following way:

In order to demonstrate activity, the student must be present at the first contact lesson or notify the teacher in charge of their absence to confirm their participation in the study. Registration will be rejected if the student does not report their absence at the start of the study or the reason for the absence cannot be considered justified. Another student can be taken in their place.

Note: Mandatory attendance in simulation.

Opiskelijan ajankäyttö ja kuormitus

Workload of the study is measured in a way that to acquire the goal competence of the study, one credit corresponds to an average of 26.7 hours of work done by the student. The actual time needed varies e.g. according to prior competence.

4 credits = 107 hours of work done by student

Sisältö ja sen jaksotus

Special characteristics of older people nursing (3 ECTS)
- Assessment of the functional capacity and service needs of the elderly
- Principles and recommendations for service guidance
- Principles of rehabilitative and resource-oriented nursing in supporting and caring for elderly health and functional capacity
- Utilization of research data and recommendations in the planning, implementation, and quality assessment of elderly nursing care
- Acute situations in elderly nursing care
- Specific features related to interaction and guidance in elderly and dementia care
- Digital and technological aids used in monitoring, caring for, and rehabilitating elderly health

Geriatrics and basics of gerontological nursing (1 ECTS)
- Changes related to aging
- Risk factors and the most common diseases in elderly health
- Special features regarding older people's medication

Lisätiedot

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

The prerequisite for participation is always that the possible competence prerequisites according to the curriculum (previous study or similar competence) are fulfilled. The student is responsible for taking into account the prerequisite conditions. [If there are any skills that are not mentioned in the study information, describe them here.]

The quality of the study unit implementation has been assessed and the self-evaluation report is available for example in Canvas or Teams.

Arviointiasteikko

H-5

Arviointimenetelmät ja arvioinnin perusteet

The course grade is determined based on the national Elderly Knowledge Test (YleSh) (T1-K5, failed) and the evaluative Canvas assignments (T1-K5, failed). The overall course grade is calculated from the average of these grades.

- Active participation in teaching is required.
- An automated final test on the fundamentals of Geriatrics and Gerontological Nursing. Assessment is pass/fail.
- Simulation (mandatory attendance). Assessment is pass/fail.

The specific assessment criteria for the components of the course will be communicated and discussed during the course orientation. The orientation will also cover the policies regarding absences and compensatory measures for the course.

Competence assessment is based on the descriptions of objectives in the curricula, and the level of competence is assessed according to the assessment criteria listed in the implementation plan for the studies (Laurea degree regulations 2024).

Students who have not completed the required tasks or exams for passing the course must supplement or retake their performance as determined by the course instructor and within the timeframe specified by the instructor. A failed exam or other performance can be retaken twice on the dates given during the orientation. Failing to attend the main exam will count as one attempt.

All Laurea participants are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which include proper referencing of sources. Familiarize yourself with these practices and ask questions if necessary. All study assignments are to be completed individually unless otherwise specified in the task.

In this study unit the assessing of the competences will be done by using the criteria set for requirement level I.

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- use professional concepts extensively
- compare and choose
- relevant information
- report and communicate in a professional manner

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- use professional concepts in a consistent manner when explaining various work practices and situations
- gather information and use their knowledge basis
- report in the agreed manner

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- use essential professional concepts when explaining various work practices and situations
- search for information in different sources
- report

Professional practice and workplace development

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- work independently, using the skills and methods learned
- take responsibility for interaction with customers and/or co-operation partners and for responding to their needs
- anticipate their need for guidance

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- work using the skills and methods learned
- engage in professional interaction with customers and/or co-operation partners and identify their needs
- take part in guidance and utilise it

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- work under guidance using the skills and methods learned
- interact with customers and/or co-operation partners
- receive guidance

Teamwork, skills, leadership, and responsibility

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- promote the team’s work and team spirit
- manage their time appropriately, completing the agreed tasks at the required quality level
- work responsibly, applying the skills and methods learned
- plan and evaluate their work, taking safety and/or ethical aspects into consideration

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- engage in goal-oriented work in a team
- plan and manage the progress of their work and use of time
- detect safety-related risks
- justify their actions in accordance with the professional code of conduct

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- work as a member of a team
- plan the progress of their work and use of time under guidance
- work safely and in accordance with the professional code of conduct
- follow the provided instructions and rules

“Students who have failed to demonstrate their competence in accordance with the approved level must supplement or retake their study attainment in a manner and schedule defined by the teacher of the study unit. If the student does not pass the assessment despite the opportunity to complete their study attainment, they must complete the study unit in question in full as specified by the teacher.” (Degree regulations 2024.)

All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarise yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. All study assignments are to be done as individual work unless otherwise instructed. If Tournitin is used when assignments are checked, the lecturer will inform the students of this.