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SOWK 5000 Aging Issues and Controversies

Mid-Tennessee Collaborative MSW Program

Course Syllabus

SW 5000:Aging Issues and Controversies

Fall 2011

Instructor: Michael A. Wright, PhD, MSW

Office: Elliott Hall 302 – TSU Main Campus

Office or contact hours: by Email

Phone: 615.963.7673

Email:

Course Description:An examination of the biological, psychological, and social issues affecting older adults. The field of gerontology is explored with special attention to current controversies in health care, independence, and social status with application of ethical theories to these problems.

Course Purpose: This course introduces students to the concepts and controversies surrounding aging. Special attention is given to the impacts on the family of caregiving, alternative living arrangements, cognitive and physical decline, and other aging issues.

Educational Outcomes:

The student will be able to:

  1. Define the scope of gerontological practice in the US.
  2. Map the biopsychosocial aspects of aging.
  3. Facilitate successful aging.
  4. Articulate aging issues in the family.
  5. Articulate aging issues in organizations and communities.
  6. Articulate the concepts, issues, and cultural diversity of the aged.

Text:

Moody, H. R. (2009). Aging Concepts and Controversies (6th Edition). Pine Forge Press: Thousand Oaks, CA. 536 pages, Paperback ISBN: 9781412969666 $91.95

Academic Integrity:

Students are expected to be intellectually honest and forthright in their academic activities. Academic misconduct includes plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and facilitation. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to the disciplinary procedures of the graduate college. See the graduate college catalog for information on disciplinary and grievance procedures.

Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodations, or if you have any questions related to any accommodation for testing, note taking, reading, etc., please contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss the needed accommodation. To register with the university for accommodations, the contact information is:

  • Austin Peay State University, Office of Disability Services, Morgan University Center 114, 931-221-6230 Voice or 931-221-6278 TTY.
  • Middle Tennessee State University, Office of Disabled Student Services, KUC 120, phone 615-898-2185, TTY 615-898-2836
  • Tennessee State University, Office of Student's with Disabilities, Kean Hall 117, phone 615-963-7400.

Non-Discrimination:

The Universities strive to provide all students with educational opportunities to achieve their fullest potential, both as individuals and as members of society. The Universities are committed to a nondiscriminatory philosophy that extends to all constituents. For more information contact:

  • Austin Peay State University, Office of Affirmative Action, Browning Bldg 7B,

931-221-7178

  • Middle Tennessee State University Institutional Equity and Compliance Office, Cope Administration Bldg 220, 615-898-2185.
  • Tennessee State University, Equity, Diversity, and Compliance Office, 615-963-7435.

Class Grading:

Grading is based on standard grading practices:

100-90 = A; 89-80 = B; 79-70 = C; 69-60 = D; 59 & below = F

Class Assignments:

  1. Online course has trainings, examinations, and a final exam.

This course is constructed as a self-directed learning experience. As such, only one due date is enforced for the course, the final day of classes. The final exam, available under "Assessments" above must be completed by that date.

The final can be taken only ONCE. The resultant score will be your final grade for the course. In order to have access to the final, you must score 90% or above on all the module quizzes. In order to take each of the module quizzes, you must achieve 80% or better on the previous module quiz. Each of the module quizzes may be taken as many times as you would like.

Course Outline:

SKILLS / LESSON TOPICS / LEARNING ACTIVITIES / RESOURCES
Define the scope of gerontological practice in the US. / Scope of Social Gerontology / DISTINGUISH BETWEEN MYTHS AND FACTS OF OLDER ADULTS. / P319-332
Demography of Aging / P287-300
The History of Aging in America / P429-445
QUIZ
Map the bio-psychosocial aspects of aging. / NO CLASS Opening Convocation
Theories of Aging / Explore theories of aging. / P2-16
Physical Aging and Health / IDENTIFY PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES IN AGING. / P16-20,53-64
Psychological Aspects of Aging / IDENTIFY MENTAL HEALTH AND COGNITIVE CONCERNS IN AGING. / P21-23,93-102
QUIZ
Facilitate successful aging applying social work values. / Successful aging / Formulate appropriate diagnoses and biopsychosocial assessments of elderly persons.
Employment and Retirement / P391-426
Activities, Lifestyles, Religion, and Spirituality / Explore the Activities and lifestyles, Religion and Spirituality of the aged that contribute to successful aging. / P27-36
Health Care and Epidemiology / P129-191
Caregiving, Family, friends and Social support / CONSTRUCT A BALANCE BETWEEN CAREGIVER STRESS AND REWARDS. / P195-205
NO CLASS Fall Break
MIDTERM QUIZ
Articulate aging issues in families. / Housing / EXPLORE DIFFERENT LIVING ARRANGEMENTS.
Legal, Financial, and Abuse / IDENTIFY LEGAL AND FINANCIAL PLANNING CONCERNS. Explore the lifestyle implications and protections against abuse of the aged. / P229-236, ,
P300-311
Euthanasia & Depression / Explore the individual rights questions at end of life. / P257-284
QUIZ
Articulate aging issues in organizations and communities / Aging in Contemporary America Society and Culture / IDENTIFY FAMILY ISSUES INVOLVED IN CONSUMER-DIRECTED AND COMMUNITY-DIRECTED CARE.
Community Social Services / ARRANGE FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENTS AND CAREGIVER RESOURCES.
Politics and Government and the Future / P311-316, 426-428,445-447
Family Caregiving and Work Release / NEGOTIATE A BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND CAREGIVING.
QUIZ

Bibliography:

American Foundation for the Blind(2007). Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss. 2007. ABF.ORG.

AARP (2003). Workplace Flexibility: Balancing Work and Caregiving.

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (2007). Balancing Work and Caregiving: Tips for Employee. 2007. University of Florida.

College of Agriculture and life Sciences (2003). Key to Successful Aging: Stay Involved.

2003. Cornell University.

U. S. Census Bureau (2007).Dramatic Changes in U. S. Aging.

National Institute on Aging (2006). Dramatic Changes in U. S. Aging: 2006. National Institute of Health.

Administration of Aging (AoA). (2006). A Statistical Profile of Older Americans aged 65+. 2006. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Washington, D. C.

The University of Maine, (2004). Caregiver Fact Sheet: Information for people who provide care for older adults.

National Institute of Mental Health,(1999). Mental Health America: Depression in Older Adults.

Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2003)

Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1998), Successful Aging. New York: Pantheon.

C. Prevalence of Selected Chronic Conditions by Age, Sex, and Race/Ethnicity: United States, 1997-2006. NHIS (NHIC06b)

Bumagin, V. E. & Hirn, K. F.(2006). Caregiving: a guide for those who give care and those who receive it.

Mature Market Institute . (1999). The MetLife Juggling Act Study

Balancing Caregiving with Work and the Cost involved. New York, NY Metropolitan

Life Insurance Company.

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (2007).

Farren, C., B., Kaufman, J., Donner, D., & Fogg, L. (1999)

Rob, Caroline, R. N. & Reynolds, Janet, J. N. P. “The Caregiver’s Guide”, Helping Elderly Relatives cope with Health and Safety Problems, 1991). Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1991.

Healthy Aging Preserving Function and Improving Quality of Life Among Older Americans At A Glance 2008.

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, center for disease control and prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2005

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistic, “Trends in Vision and Hearing Among Older Americans”, March 2001

Guide for Older Adults on Depression-Lexapro (2007).

Mental Health America: Depression in Older Adults (2006).

New Jersey State Senior Housing Glossary.Retrieved March 7, 2008.

Older Adults: Home & Community Living. Retrieved March 7, 2008.

Housing Alternatives for Seniors In New York State