Exploring ageing
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It is widely acknowledged that ageism (the stereotyping of people on the basis of their chronological age) has a strong influence on the extent to which older people enjoy full participation in all aspects of society and social processes. This course will help you understand the philosophies, structures and values that influence the status of older people in the UK and their access to health and social care. It also explores some of the ethical dilemmas, such as rationing and capacity to consent, that are characteristic of everyday nursing practice with older people.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | K336 |
| Credits | 20 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
| Start | End | Fee | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
No current presentation - see Future availability |
| This course is expected to start for the last time in January 2012. | |||
What you will study
The study materials use case studies and research studies to enhance your ability to use evidence to positively influence the care of older people and their carers. The learning activities relate the study materials to your practice with the intention of developing creative but realistic links between the evidence and the everyday care requirements of older people. Finally you will consider the opportunities and challenges that you may encounter as you endeavour to implement organisational and national policies and standards for care to older peoples’ services.
The course is structured around six study units:
Older people in society – this will enable you to explore what defines a person as old, what is ageing, ageism and theories of ageism.
Older people’s health and health inequalities – this will help you understand what we know about older people’s health, current trends in older people’s health, health inequalities and ageing and how we can tackle health inequalities.
Older people: roles and relationships – this explores what is a family, older peoples roles and contributions as well as the importance of relationships in later life.
Older people: rights, ethics and power – this considers rights and ethics as well as power and authority in health and social care.
Controversies related to the care of older people including the allocation of resources – by studying this unit you’ll understand the background to rationing and develop skills that will enable you to more critically consider the ethics involved in whether health care should be rationed.
Capacity to consent and euthanasia – this final unit will enable you to more critically consider the legal context for capacity to consent, how older people’s personal affairs can be protected and the issues that surround euthanasia and assisted dying.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge and a critical understanding of the experience of ageing in contemporary society
- demonstrate detailed knowledge and a critical understanding of the major causes of inequalities in health and social care and how these impact on older people’s health and well-being
- critically analyse the legal and moral rights of older people as fully participating citizens, as they pertain to health and social care, and the implications of acknowledging these rights
- critically evaluate the effectiveness of different types of family and social networks in providing support to older people
- demonstrate an ability to question accepted assumptions and to develop abstract arguments through the critique of the older person’s experience
- demonstrate a commitment to the five practice links: holistic practice knowledge, saliency, knowing the patient, moral agency and skilled know-how.
Transferable skills
You’ll be able to access, retrieve, interpret and utilise information and evidence appropriately; demonstrate effective communication skills; demonstrate personal organisation and responsibility; exercise effective decision-making and initiative; demonstrate a commitment to care involving service users, carers and supporters.
Vocational relevance
The course will help you to build on your current knowledge and experience and encourage you to integrate new ideas into your practice and influence others to do so. You will therefore, promote and advance innovative nursing practice in the care setting in which you work.
Entry
This course is available either as a module of the BSc (Honours) Nursing Practice (B53) degree or on a stand-alone basis.
If you intend to count this course as a module towards the BSc (Hons) Nursing Practice you must meet the entry requirements for the degree. You must have successfully completed a Diploma of Higher Education (Nursing) or equivalent and also be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You will normally need to be working in an appropriate field of practice.
If you are a new student intending to achieve the BSc (Hons) Nursing Practice, we recommend that you study the 60-credit Adulthood, ageing and the life course (K319) instead of this 20-credit course. Please contact your regional centre for advice about this and to ensure that you have a practicable study plan for this qualification.
On a stand-alone basis, entry to the course is open and not restricted to qualified nurses. You will, however, normally need to have access to an appropriate practice environment.
If you are uncertain about whether your practice environment is suitable or if you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
You will receive guidance of how to get started online in your first course mailing. This will provide you with information on using your computer for OU study and working with the Computing Guide. For example, it explains how to access and use your website and online discussion forums. If you have time before the course starts, you can work through this and explore all the online services available to you.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of most of the printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Course books and other printed materials. You will have access to a website through which teaching and library resources are available. Electronic versions of most of the printed study materials are provided on the website.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
One of the TMAs is compulsory. The end-of-module assessment (EMA) must also be submitted online using the eTMA system.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in January 2012 when it will be available for the last time. A replacement course is not planned.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | K336 |
| Credits | 20 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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