Module Summary

This level 7 module in older people’s care is for registered healthcare professionals who have post qualifying experience in this unique specialism. We will build on your learning by enabling you to develop an increased understanding to manage the complex care needs of older people, within a constantly changing health care system.

The module will be delivered by expert clinicians from within the speciality, who bring enthusiasm for their work, and who aim to inspire students to sustain and enhance their career in older people’s healthcare. All teaching and learning will promote evidenced-based understanding and research skills.

Aims

• Enable students to recognise the unique care needs of older people, in health and illness. With a specific focus on the needs of older people with frailty

• Facilitate students to apply and synthesise a critical approach to undertaking a structured assessment, interpreting clinical data and using situational judgement to prioritise the care needs for the older person.

• Empower students to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting to plan, deliver and evaluate person-centred, evidence-based care for older people.

What and how students will learn on the module

There will be an introduction to LEAP the virtual learning sight where you will find resources to support academic learning and development. There will be focused study days with the general themes as below. These will have taught elements, but each day will also contain group discussions on case studies which encourage critical analysis of the issues raised.

• Evidence Based Practice: Critical Skills Toolkit: Critically Write and Critical Reflection

• Self-reflection facilitated through group simulation and feedback

• National and local policies and guidelines

• Record keeping

• Principles of legal and ethical frameworks underpinning care for the acutely deteriorating person, including mental capacity, the Mental Health Act (2005) and safeguarding

• Roles, responsibilities and scope of practice of members of the nursing and multi disciplinary team

• Working and communicating effectively with the multi-disciplinary team

• Ethico-legal considerations when caring for older people Understanding the approaches to managing risks in the care of older people, including, safeguarding, people at risk of falls, those with cognitive impairment.

• Partnership working

• Dementia

• Frailty and frailty syndromes (delirium, falls, incontinence, immobility, and medication side effects)

• Cardiac issues: Heart failure

• Acute mental illness - delirium, personality disorders, mood and anxiety disorders and psychotic illnesses

• Preparing people for, and recognising end of life care needs

• Working in partnership with people to encourage shared decision-making, including families, carers and the multi-disciplinary team

• Processes, policies and procedures when transferring between care settings including community to hospital to care home.

• Effective communication with older unwell people, their families, carers and multi disciplinary colleagues