Care of the Older Person

Learners will be able to:

• Discuss a range of age related issues to include healthy ageing, global and national demographic
• trends, the normal physiological and psychological processes of ageing, the social impact of ageing on older people and differing attitudes to ageing and older people.
• Analyse the roles of the health care assistant in promoting positive attitudes to ageing and of
• statutory and voluntary agencies in promoting the wellbeing of older people.
• Examine a range of concepts and practices to include preparation for retirement and the ethnic and cultural influences on the older person.
• Explore a range of older people's needs to include physical, social, emotional, psychological,
• recreational, financial, environmental and spiritual needs.
• Summarise the role of the health care assistant in providing care for older people.
• Discuss the issues related to an older person with mental illness or dementia and of living with chronic illness.
• Recognise the individual needs of the dying older person and their families.
• Summarise the range of the care settings for older people and the members of the healthcare team available in each care setting.
• Explore a range of specific services that are available for older people to include education, lifelong
• learning, retirement/the workplace and leisure.
• Analyse current approaches towards developing quality in the provision of services for older people
• and their families to include standards and quality assurance.
• Employ effective communication with the older person, their family and the multi-disciplinary team.
• Adapt care and practices to meet the needs of older people with cognitive and sensory impairment and physical disabilities.
• Exercise duties in a way that is respectful to the person's body after death.
• Promote a range of aspects of care for the older person to include empowerment, advocacy,
• independence, individualised care, dignity, respect, choice, self-esteem and include family and carers as partners in care.
• Give assistance in the identification of how health promotion issues can be promoted in care settings for older people and in the provision of therapeutic interventions that will enhance the social interactions and quality of life of the older person.