Mental Health in Later Life

Mental Health in Later Life

Unit code: HNO6013

Credit points: 12

This unit develops the knowledge and skills of students to ethically support diverse older person who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, by employing person-centred approaches to delivering care. Students critically analyse the notion of ageism and how the lived experience of ageism can affect people's mental health in later life. Another learning focus is the comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of the older person with complex comorbidities. Students also investigate and differentiate between depression, delirium, and dementia; together with rates of suicide in older populations, and debate the treatment options best suited for the older person who experiences symptoms of mental illness.

Learning outcomes

 

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse person-centred care and consumer-centred care for diverse older people who experience symptoms of mental illness.
  2. Critically review ageism and its impact on people's mental health in later life, including rates of suicide.
  3. Explicate and apply the comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of the older person with complex comorbidities.
  4. Evaluate the differences between depression, delirium, and dementia in older people, including decision-making around assessment and treatment.
  5. Justify suitable treatment options for the older person who experiences symptoms of mental illness in later life.

 

Assessment

 

Poster: Ageism’s impact on the older person (500 words) - 10%

Case study: Mental health care plan for the older person (2500 words) - 50%

Presentation: Mental health treatment options for the older person (10 minutes/2000 words equivalent) - 40%

 

Related course/s

 

This unit is studied as part of the online Master of Mental Health ,Master of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.