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    Overview

    Examination of key issues encountered in advanced social work practice with older adults, using a lifespan perspective.

    A age-affirmative perspective seeks to counter the dominant “doom and gloom” understanding of later life. More and more New Zealanders are living to advanced ages and all of them strive to age well. That is, to grow old on their own terms. But prevailing myths, prejudices, and stereotypes get in the way. In this course students will encounter older adults who are ageing well - who are active in their communities and who find meaning and pleasure in every day. Students will conduct life-history interviews with these exemplary individuals to develop a broader understanding of the challenges and opportunities of later life. In the process, students will reflect on what they can do to prepare for their old age and to support others in ageing well.

    About this paper

    Paper title Lifespan Issues - Advanced Practice with Older Adults
    Subject Social Work
    EFTS 0.25
    Points 30 points
    Teaching period Not offered in 2024 (Distance learning)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $2,551.75
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Restriction
    SOWK 405
    Limited to
    PGDipSW, MSCW (Applied), MSW
    Contact

    socialwork@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Professor Amanda Barusch

     

    To be advised

    Paper Structure

    This is a distance taught programme utilising Blackboard.

    Teaching Arrangements

    This is a distance taught programme with a requirement for 1-2 oncampus workshops. Information will be provided separately to students about the workshop requirements.

    Textbooks

    Information on texts will be available before the course commences.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to:

    • Describe the major theories of adult development and ageing.
    • Understand the impacts of family, social, and cultural contexts on adult development and ageing.
    • Discuss common assumptions and misperceptions that can influence social work practice and social policy affecting older adults.
    • Think critically about own developmental experiences and their implications for practice.
    • Connect individual developmental experiences to major theories and research on adult development and ageing.
    • Apply knowledge and skills to assess the needs and strengths of older adults and their families.
    • Sort through major value issues related to social work with older adults (ie: beneficence & autonomy, care & empowerment)
    • Describe major intervention approaches used in work with older adults.
    • Identify the unique needs and issues faced by vulnerable groups (ie: LGBT, people of colour, people with disabilities, those with low incomes) in later life.
    • Discuss major policies and conditions that influence the experience of ageing in New Zealand.

    Timetable

    Not offered in 2024

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
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