Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaAdult Age and Old Age
Main language of instruction: Spanish
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
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.
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.
N/A
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.
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.
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
- Lectures
- Practical classes
- Critical reading
- Autonomous study and at-home
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.
E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session: