Subject

Adult Age and Old Age

  • code 12749
  • course 2
  • term Semester 1
  • type FB
  • credits 6

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Teaching staff

Head instructor

Dra. Iris CRESPO - icrespo@uic.es

Office hours

Students can consult the teacher after class or at other times with a prior appointment.

Introduction

In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.

This subject Adulthood and Old age aims to give students knowledge of the process of human development. A full review of the changes in different biopsychosocial dimensions that make up this period in a person’s life will be given, from adulthood through to old age. The subject matter will include different models and theories about the development and we will look at the vital and psychosocial changes that take place in this process.

Pre-course requirements

N/A

Objectives

1. To acquire basic knowledge of the development of adults and the elderly in their respective stages of life.

2. To give the student an insight into models of development and the theories of ageing.

3. To learn about the biological changes that take place as a part of ageing.

4. To learn about the most significant changes and psychosocial aspects of adulthood and old age.

5. Acquire knowledge about illness and end of life care.

Competencies

  • CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) in order to issue judgements that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
  • CB04 - Students must be able to convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • CG10 - Sensitivity to the needs and expectations of others.
  • CT05 - The ability to reason and assess situations and results from a critical, constructive point of view.
  • CT06 - The ability to develop interpersonal skills
  • CE14 - The ability to recognise the basis of normal and altered human behaviour.

Learning outcomes

Once the student has finished this subject, they should be able to:

a)     Recognise and differentiate between the characteristics that define the stages of adulthood and old age.

b)    Identify the different psychosocial models and theories of ageing.

c)     Identify the different biological theories of ageing.

d)    Explain the changes and the psychological development that takes place in adulthood.

e)     Explain the physiological changes associated with ageing.

f)     Recognise and explain the main psychosocial aspects and problems in adulthood.

g)    Recognise and explain the main psychosocial aspects and problems in old age.

h)     Recognise the main illnesses (both biological and psychological) that can emerge in old age.

i)      Express what end of care life consists of.

j)      Recognise the impact of death and grief on individuals and their families.

Syllabus

Topic 1. Conceptualisation of adulthood and old age

1.1. Psychology and the challenges of ageing.

1.2. The life cycle: development in adulthood and old age as evolutionary stages

1.3. Different patterns of ageing.

1.4. Theories of ageing

 

Topic 2. Context and biological, psychological and social development in adulthood and ageing

2.1. Changes and psychological development in adulthood

2.2. Changes during old age

2.3. Biological and physical changes associated with ageing

 

Topic 3. Psychosocial aspects of adulthood and old age

3.1. Love and establishing a family

3.2. Family issues

3.3. Work and retirement

3.4. The role of family in ageing: the role of the “grandparent”

3.5. Loss of a partner and loneliness

3.6. Dependence

 

Topic 4. The end of life

4.1. Ageing and illness

4.2. Palliative care and integrated end of life care

4.3. Death

4.4. Grief

Teaching and learning activities

In person

-       Lectures

-       Practical classes

-       Critical reading

-       Autonomous study and at-home

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person

50% Written test

30% Group assignment

20% Participation in class

 

Students will need a minimum average of 5 in the overall assessment in order to pass this subject. If a student fails any of the assessments, they will have to retake it.

Bibliography and resources

  • Schaie, K.W. y Willis, S.L. (2003). Psicología de la edad adulta y la vejez (5ª ed.). Madrid: Pearson-Prentice Hall
  • Bengtson, V. L., & Settersten Jr, R. (Eds.). (2016). Handbook of theories of aging. Springer Publishing Company.
  • Berger, K.S. (2009). Psicología del desarrollo: adultez y vejez. (7ª ed.). Madrid: Médica Panamericana.
  • Fernández Ballesteros, R. (2014). Psicología de la Vejez: Una psicogerontología aplicada. Madrid: Pirámide.
  • Martínez Torres, J. (2002). Psicología del envejecimiento. Madrid: Pirámide.
  • Millán, J. C. (2006). Principios de Geriatría y Gerontología. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:

  • E1 11/01/2021 12:00h A22
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