MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

NUR290AC  19956-20032

Health Promotion for Older Adults

1.

Define the terms "health," "wellness," and "well-being" using a holistic framework. (I)

2.

Compare and contrast the health continuum from a medical model interpretation and a wellness or holistic approach. (I)

3.

Describe common responses to the aged and aging. (I)

4.

Differentiate between traditional approaches and the holistic model for enhancing the life of older persons. (I)

5.

Describe components of psychological health of older persons. (II)

6.

Describe how specific dimensions of wellness assist individuals to attain their wellness potential including self-responsibility, nutrition, physical fitness, stress management, self-esteem, and activities of daily living. (III)

7.

Describe chronic problems of aging and illness from a wellness perspective. (IV)

8.

Describe physical, social, and personal environmental space as components of health and wellness for the older person. (V)

9.

Describe therapeutic interventions that promote functioning to the highest level possible for each older person. (VI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

NUR290AC  19956-20032

Health Promotion for Older Adults

I. Issues of Health and Wellness

A. Meaning of "health" and related terminology from a holistic framework

B. Wellness health continuum versus the traditional health continuum

C. Attitudinal responses to the aged and aging

D. Chronic illness and the wellness model

II. Components of Psychological Health in Aging Persons

A. Defining psychological health

B. Age-related psychological changes

C. Role of beliefs held by the aging person

D. Tools for assessment of psychological health

III. Dimensions of Wellness

A. Self-responsibility

1. Making choices

2. Role of the professional/helper

B. Nutritional awareness

1. Nutritional implications of aging

2. Nutritional needs of the elderly

3. Biocultural bases of nutrition

4. Implications for eating habits of the older person

5. Assessing dietary patterns and nutritional status

6. Additional considerations for institutionalized elderly

7. Problems of nutrition with aging persons

C. Physical fitness

1. Hazards of inactivity

2. Goals and rewards of fitness

3. Assessment, intervention, and evaluation of activity tolerance

4. Suggested fitness activities

D. Stress management

1. Stress reactions and coping strategies

2. Activities to manage stress

3. Stress and growth

E. Self-esteem

1. Definition and relationship to personality

2. Relationship to continuum of mental health and illness

3. Modes of maintaining self-esteem

F. Activities of daily living

1. Relationship to health promotion

2. Assessing capacities for ADL (activities of daily living)

3. Supportive interventions

IV. Chronic Problems of Aging and Illness from a Wellness Perspective

A. Statistics

B. Role of perception

C. Adaptation

D. Maximizing

E. Intervention strategies

V. Environmental Sensitivity

A. Physical components of environment

B. Social components of environment

C. Personal environs

VI. Therapeutic Interventions for Promoting High-Level Functioning

A. Age-related differences and assessment

B. Life-support needs

C. Maintenance needs

D. Economic and legal considerations

E. Relationship networks

F. Aging as a peak experience

G. Resources