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The World of the Elder
I. Course Prefix/Number: ECS 1-1
Course Name: The World of the Elder
Credits: 1:1:0
II. Prerequisite
None
III. Course (Catalog) Description
The first of three courses required for a Person-Centered Elder Support certificate, which is designed to prepare the student for a caregiver role with elders. Content will focus on educational concepts and practices for the care and safety of elders experiencing normal aging. Sensory, physical and psychosocial changes of aging, normal aging, myths of aging, and culture change will be discussed.
IV. Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
o Describe the sensory, physical and psychosocial changes of aging.
o Differentiate between normal aging and aging with chronic illness.
o Describe the effect of culture change on the caregiver, elder and family.
o Recognize common health and safety concerns that Elders face.
o Describe techniques to promote elder independence.
o Describe the sensory, physical and psychosocial changes of aging.
o Differentiate between normal aging and aging with chronic illness.
o Describe the effect of culture change on the caregiver, elder and family.
o Recognize common health and safety concerns that Elders face.
o Describe techniques to promote elder independence.
V. Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity
and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI. Sequence of Topics
Module 1
Normal aging process
Independence/focus on abilities
Elder health
Sensory changes
Hearing
Vision
Taste/smell
Touch
Physical and psychosocial changes of aging
Module 2
Person Centered Care Philosophy
Culture Change
Understanding caregiver, client and family values
Myths of aging
Module 3
Impact of chronic illness
In-home environmental safety strategies
Infection Control
Hand-washing technique
Environmental safety
Emergencies
Fall prevention tactics
Elder abuse prevention
VII. Methods of Instruction
Instruction and training will be delivered in hybrid format. Weekly class sessions will provide a supportive, interactive learning environment and foster a community of learners through mini lectures, discussion and group projects case studies and presentations .Students will be assigned group and or individual projects outside of classroom.
Course may be taught as face-to-face, media-based, hybrid or online course.
Course may be taught as face-to-face, media-based, hybrid or online course.
VIII. Course Practices Required
A companion CD is provided for the course. It includes the course syllabus, course handouts, assignments, case studies and resources for Elder care.
Requirements for Use: DVD player, computer.
Requirements for Use: DVD player, computer.
IX. Instructional Materials
Media-based components, both television-viewable and computer-readable DVDs, will allow students to access complementary instructional materials at personally convenient times and places. Books and articles will be referenced similar to American Medical Association Guide to Home Care… by American Medical Association, The Complete Eldercare Planner, Revised …by Joy Loverde
X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
In order to successfully complete the course, the student must pass the course with C or better in order have the course apply toward a Certificate in Person-Centered Elder Support. Points will be awarded for exams and quizzes as well as written assignments and projects. Total point accumulation must equal a C or better. All assignments are required by the due date in order to earn points.
XI. Other Course Information
Upon successful completion of this course students may register for PES 102 “Person-Centered Communication” and or PES 103 “Dementia Care of the Elder”. In order to meet the requirements for a Certificate in Person-Centered Elder Support students may wish to register for the 3 courses concurrently. Students must successfully complete PES 101 “The World of the Elder” PES 102 “Person-Centered Communication” and PES 103 Dementia Care of the Elder to be eligible for the certificate.
Students who wish to be awarded a certificate must have a Fingerprint Criminal Background check for the IDPH Health Care Worker Registry. Criminal Background checks are required and initiated during the PES101 course.
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
Students who wish to be awarded a certificate must have a Fingerprint Criminal Background check for the IDPH Health Care Worker Registry. Criminal Background checks are required and initiated during the PES101 course.
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
