NURS9708 Social Context of Health and Ageing

Enrolment in this topic is restricted to students who are a registered Nurse with a Bachelor Degree or equivalent.

This topic will focus on the relationship between ideas about ageing, the social structures, supports and opportunities available to the older person and will address their experiences of ageing. Students will explore issues such as ageism, poverty, sexuality, power, media portrayal, psychological issues, the ageing body, ethnicity, abuse and violence, medicalisation, living and residential decisions and experiences.

This topic aims to:

• Explore attitudes to ageing
• Identify the social structures that effect the health of older people
• Explore the relationship between attitudes, social structures, opportunities for older people and how they experience ageing

1. Discuss social issues that impact on ageing and aged care and the nursing role in aged care
2. Critically analyse issues of social importance to aged care and older people
3. Explore social areas of interest in regard to aged care
4. Improve their aged care practice through study, knowledge and enrichment in the area of aged care nursing practice