Gerontology
2-Year Certificate Online
Delivered with the following methods: Online
Program Calendar
12 week courses September - November, January - March, April - June
Typically, a cohort would run as follows:
YEAR ONE: September - November GERO 200, January - March GNUR 300, April - June GNUR 302, Electives 210 &/or 310
YEAR TWO: September - November GNUR 301, January - March GNUR 303, April - June GNUR 315
Program Objectives
Upon the completion of this certificate program each student will:
- Interpret basic geriatric trends and issues
- Accumulate and test a wide variety of health assessment tools
- Demonstrate critical, innovative thinking in problem solving
- Illustrate how to educate towards wellness
- Develop advocacy skills at relational and policy-making levels
Note: Year 1 of Gerontology will be offered contingent on sufficient number of student applicants. Contact admissions staff for more information.
Admission Requirements
Full Certificate: Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses with a minimum of one year nursing experience with adults.
Part-time: Nurses and other health or social science students and professionals who wish to take individual courses and have the required course pre-requisites.
Career Potential
The largest growing health cohort is the geriatric population. By 2030, 25% of Canadians will be over 65; 12% will be over 85 years of age. Registered Nurses who have completed this certificate will have specialized knowledge and training to effectively educate, assess and care for older people. Graduates will have the ability to analyse trends and challenges in the field of Geriatrics, and the tools and skills to meet the complext physical, social, environmental, cognitive and spiritual needs of the elderly.
Facility care (all levels), acute care, community nursing (home care and case management), mental health, health promotion agencies, clinics and primary health care settings are all potential areas of employment for nurses with specialized skills and knowledge in gerontology.
Program Courses
Course of Studies
Translation key:
- Crd = Credits
- Ttl = Total course hours
Courses marked as (D) are available via Distance Education.
| Course | Name | Cred | Ttl |
|---|---|---|---|
Term 1 |
|||
| GERO 200 (D) | Contemporary Issues in Gerontology | 3.0 | 0 |
| GNUR 210 (D) | Spirituality and Aging | 1.0 | 0 |
| GNUR 300 (D) | Introduction to Gerontological Nursing | 3.0 | 0 |
| GNUR 301 (D) | Psycho-Social Issues Impacting Aging | 3.0 | 0 |
| GNUR 302 (D) | Physiological Function in the Aged | 3.0 | 0 |
| GNUR 303 (D) | Delirium, Dementia and Depression in the Elderly | 3.0 | 0 |
| GNUR 310 (D) | Medication Use and Abuse with the Elderly | 2.0 | 0 |
| GNUR 313 (D) | End-of-Life Care & Palliation | 2.0 | 0 |
| Total: | 20 | 0 | |
GERO 200 Contemporary Issues in Gerontology
Contemporary Issues in Gerontology will provide students with an understanding of how the process of aging affects individuals and how an aging population affects and influences Canadian society. Aging will be examined within historical, contemporary and culture contexts. Topics will include aging and health, aging demographics, the psychology and sociology of aging, finances and economics, retirement, leisure, housing and transportation, and family social supports. Participants will have the opportunity to identify and examine their personal beliefs and values about the aging process throughout the course.
Prerequisites:
Certificate/Diploma in any Health or Human Service Discipline is preferred.
This course is available via Distance Education.
GNUR 210 Spirituality and Aging
As the physical body ages, it declines and deteriorates. In contrast, the Human Spirit continues to develop and mature until the end of life. This course examines the importance of Spirituality in aging, and its effects on health, wellness and achievement of meaning in life. Current research and tools to assess spiritual needs will be examined. Roles and opportunities for caregivers to promote the spirituality of aging persons will be explored.
Prerequisites:
Certificate/Diploma in Health or Human Service Discipline preferred.
This course is available via Distance Education.
GNUR 300 Introduction to Gerontological Nursing
This course will detail the unique roles and functions of geriatric nursing by exploring historical underpinnings, societal needs, and current issues. Two conceptual models for nursing acutely ill, chronically ill or frail elders will provide a groundwork for use of assessment tools and critical analysis. A focus on health promotion and wellness in later life will guide and direct nursing leadership in the care of older adults. Web, electronic and journal resources that support nursing practice will be identified.
Prerequisites:
GERO 200 is preferable.
This course is available via Distance Education.
GNUR 301 Psycho-Social Issues Impacting Aging
As people age, changes in cognitive and affective function can be impacted by life events, role change, personal choice, acute and chronic disease, or health treatments. Within this course the nurse will develop strategies to assess risk factors and promote psycho social health. Issues of mental competency, elder abuse/neglect and alcoholism in later life will be also examined.
Prerequisites:
GERO 200 and GNUR 300 are preferable.
This course is available via Distance Education.
GNUR 302 Physiological Function in the Aged
This course focuses on the normal changes of aging in all body systems. Select chronic diseases or conditions and their treatment modalities will be reviewed. Using Carol Miller's (2009) Model for Promoting Wellness in Older Adults, and exploration of potential risk factors, iatrogenic complications, and functional challenge will lead the nurse to critically think about how to enhance health function. The compounding effect of acute illness on chronic health problems will also be examined.
Prerequisites:
GNUR 300 is preferable.
This course is available via Distance Education.
GNUR 303 Delirium, Dementia and Depression in the Elderly
This course will look at current theories of causality, presenting behaviours, risk factors and therapies for each of these conditions. The impact on the family and professional caregivers will be assessed. Dementia nursing care will focus on methods to enhance and retain patient abilities.
Prerequisites:
GNUR 300 is preferable.
This course is available via Distance Education.
GNUR 310 Medication Use and Abuse with the Elderly
Most aging people use medication (prescription or over-the-counter) to treat a variety of chronic or symptomatic problems. This course seeks to define the nursing role in medication management with aging clients. An understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to the aging body will assist the gerontological nurse in understanding drug reactions. Reasons for drug misue and abuse will be explored, and principles and strategies developed to improve drug regime compliance. Tools to assist with medication profile analysis will be presented.
Prerequisites:
GERO 200 and GNUR 300 are preferable.
This course is available via Distance Education.
GNUR 313 End-of-Life Care and Palliation
Palliative care is the unique way caregivers think, respond, and act as they give skilled and compassionate care to a dying person and the support system of that person. This course seeks to help each nurse understand their own feelings about death and palliative care, and reflect on their experiences with palliative care. Each participant will gain specific knowledge about symptom assessment and management, and how to deal with palliative emergency situations. Particularly unique aspects of caring for the dying, ie. communication, grief and self-care, will be explored.
Prerequisites:
Nursing Diploma or Degree.
This course is available via Distance Education.
Staff
The following staff are associated with this program:
Gail Potter
Nursing Instructor
Direct: 250.365.1340
Tel: 250.365.7292 Ext. 340
Room S-224
Email
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