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NURS6070

Mental Health Nursing of Older People

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Available in 2013

WebLearn GradSchool Trimester 3

Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Mental Health Nursing's individual contribution to the care of older people is its focus on the interaction of physical, psychological, cognitive, behavioural and social stressors, resources and strengths as they affect function, health status and quality of life of individuals and their families. This course uses an incremental model to determine nursing content to encompass knowledge and skills from the disciplines of mental health and aged care nursing, psychiatry, psychology, geriatric medicine and pharmacology. Major diagnostic syndromes, clinical assessment and developmental and social issues are emphasised.

Objectives 1 Demonstrate skills in comprehensive assessment of the older person within their systems.
2 Recognize the physical and physiological factors affecting the assessment, treatment, care and management of the older person with mental health problems.
3 Identify the developmental, psychological and psychosocial factors influencing the behaviour of an older person experiencing mental health problems
4 Discuss the evolution of Old Age Psychiatry and Mental Health Nursing for Older People in terms of the integration of mental health and aged care disciplines
5 Develop a personal model of successful ageing.
6 Explain the potential changing roles of a person as they reach old age and potential associated life problems.
7 Identify common psychiatric presentations of older persons.
8 Discuss how co-morbidities, atypical presentations and age related changes affect diagnosis, treatment and management of older persons with mental health problems.
9 Demonstrate skills in the care of older persons who exhibit challenging behaviour: aggression, disorientation, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, withdrawal, neglect and disinhibition.
10 Identify disturbed behaviours associated with the mental health problems of the elderly and develop models of nursing intervention based on problem solving, communication, therapies, environment change and somatic treatments
11 Describe the phenomenology, aetiology, demographics, treatment, and prognosis of psychiatric disorders of old age: mood disorders and psychotic disorders.
12 Describe the indication, clinical use, effectiveness, adverse effects, potential interactions and nursing implications of the use of common psychoactive medications in older people.
Content Module One: Introduction to Mental Health Nursing for Older People
Module Two: Challenging Behaviour
Module Three: Psychiatric Disorders and Psychopharmacology
Replacing Course(s) na
Transition n/a
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge Nursing practice issues
Modes of Delivery Distance Learning : IT Based
Teaching Methods Email Discussion Group
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments Challenging behaviour
Other: (please specify) Online Discussion
Quiz - On-line Psychiatric disorders and psychopharmacology
Contact Hours Email Discussion Group: for 3 hour(s) per Week for 12 weeks
Self Directed Learning: for 7 hour(s) per Week for 12 weeks
Timetables 2013 Course Timetables for NURS6070