NSQ634 Dementia
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | NSQ634 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $555 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,976 |
| International unit fee | $4,236 |
Unit Outline: Session 1 2024, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | NSQ634 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Nil |
Overview
This unit explores a range of the psychosocial, cultural, political and clinical issues that are related to the increasing prevalence of dementia, in Australia and internationally. Currently there are 342,800 Australians living with dementia and with an ageing population, this number is expected to triple by 2050. To meet the increasing needs of this vulnerable population, it is essential that all health care professionals have a good understanding of dementia and the specialised care that a person with dementia requires. This unit provides a broad overview of the physical, behavioural and psychosocial manifestations of dementia throughout the disease trajectory, examines the evidence around best dementia care practices, and discusses the unique challenges faced by the person with dementia, their families, and service providers. The presentation of delirium and depression are also contrasted to dementia and the relationships between these conditions are discussed.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Assess, evaluate and differentiate the cognitive, behavioural, functional and social changes associated with dementia and contrast to changes associated with delirium.
- Critically examine the evidence base for current therapeutic approaches to meeting care needs of people with dementia or delirium and their families.
- Apply knowledge of the stages of dementia to propose a therapeutic partnership between health care professionals, persons with dementia and their significant others that promotes a person-centred approach to dementia care.
Content
Course themes emphasised in this unit include advocacy and leadership, intra- and inter- disciplinary practice, and therapeutic relationships and communication.
This unit is organised into 4 modules:
- Module 1: Epidemiology, aetiology and diagnosis of dementia, delirium and depression
- Module 2: Prevention, Treatment and Management of dementia and Behaviours and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
- Module 3: Models of dementia care
- Module 4: Contemporary issues in Dementia Care
Learning Approaches
In this fully online unit you will have the opportunity to learn through active engagement with the interactive learning resources, peer learning, moderated and facilitated online discussions, learning events and self-directed learning materials. This unit takes an interdisciplinary approach to to dementia care of older persons. Authentic learning activities assist students to respond to dementia care needs of older people using an evidence based, person-centred approach through active online engagement with interdisciplinary, industry informed case scenarios.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
- Informal formative feedback will be provided through self-check exercises, peer feedback and through individual or whole of class feedback in online discussions or via comments in online communities.
- Formal written or recorded feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks via Turnitin or the Canvas Assignment tool, in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.
- Feedback on your assessment task 1 will be received prior to the submission of your assessment task 2.
- Industry informed expert feedback may be provided through clinical assessment examples and interventions at timely intervals to guide learning and assessment.
- Students are encouraged to seek and share feedback in their workplaces where appropriate.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, there are three summative assessments. The first assessment task is an online multiple choice quiz which opens in Week 3. The second assessment requires you to compare and contrast the manifestations and management of a behavioural, psychological or social issue that impacts a person with dementia and/or delirium across the disease trajectory. This task is due in the week 5, following the QUT Online consolidation week. The third assessment task requires you to develop a patient-centred approach to care for your chosen workplace/community setting that promotes living well with dementia drawing on contemporary evidence to justify your decision-making. This task is due at the end of the teaching period in the QUT Online exam week.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Quiz
To examine your understanding of physiological, behavioural and functional changes that occur throughout the disease trajectory of dementia and how these differ to the presentation of delirium, you will undertake an online quiz of 20 multiple choice questions.
Assessment: Report
The manifestations of the symptoms of dementia change throughout the disease trajectory impacting the care required. Choose a behavioural, psychological or social issue that impacts a person with dementia and compare and contrast the manifestations and management of the chosen issue across the disease trajectory from an interdisciplinary health context.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Case Study
Part A: Based on the provided case study, develop an evidence based, patient-centred and interdisciplinary approach to care that promotes living well with dementia. When developing the plan you will need to explore the concept of ‘living well dementia’, consider the role of an interdisciplinary team as well as the person with dementia and their care partner/s and justify your approach drawing upon contemporary evidence. 1500 words; 30%)
Part B: As a leader in aged care it is important that you are a change agent. Based on your findings in Part A, develop a project proposal to implement a practice change that will promote living well with dementia in a care setting relevant to you. A proposal template will be provided (1000 words; 20%)
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
Nil
Resources
Digitised Weekly Readings will be available throughout the online modules through QUT library
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Johnson, Amanda. CARING FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIA 2E, Wiley, (2014) ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/qut/detail.action?docID=4748090.
Touhy, TA. and Jett, K. (2018) Ebersole and Hess’ Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging, Elsevier, Florida
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit addresses sensitive and complex topics. If you are distressed by issues explored in the content of this unit you should approach academic staff or consult the free QUT counselling service. Substantial computer-based work will be required. You are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work.
Unit Outline: Session 3 2024, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | NSQ634 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Nil |
Overview
This unit explores a range of the psychosocial, cultural, political and clinical issues that are related to the increasing prevalence of dementia, in Australia and internationally. Currently there are 342,800 Australians living with dementia and with an ageing population, this number is expected to triple by 2050. To meet the increasing needs of this vulnerable population, it is essential that all health care professionals have a good understanding of dementia and the specialised care that a person with dementia requires. This unit provides a broad overview of the physical, behavioural and psychosocial manifestations of dementia throughout the disease trajectory, examines the evidence around best dementia care practices, and discusses the unique challenges faced by the person with dementia, their families, and service providers. The presentation of delirium and depression are also contrasted to dementia and the relationships between these conditions are discussed.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Assess, evaluate and differentiate the cognitive, behavioural, functional and social changes associated with dementia and contrast to changes associated with delirium.
- Critically examine the evidence base for current therapeutic approaches to meeting care needs of people with dementia or delirium and their families.
- Apply knowledge of the stages of dementia to propose a therapeutic partnership between health care professionals, persons with dementia and their significant others that promotes a person-centred approach to dementia care.
Content
Course themes emphasised in this unit include advocacy and leadership, intra- and inter- disciplinary practice, and therapeutic relationships and communication.
This unit is organised into 4 modules:
- Module 1: Epidemiology, aetiology and diagnosis of dementia, delirium and depression
- Module 2: Prevention, Treatment and Management of dementia and Behaviours and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
- Module 3: Models of dementia care
- Module 4: Contemporary issues in Dementia Care
Learning Approaches
In this fully online unit you will have the opportunity to learn through active engagement with the interactive learning resources, peer learning, moderated and facilitated online discussions, learning events and self-directed learning materials. This unit takes an interdisciplinary approach to to dementia care of older persons. Authentic learning activities assist students to respond to dementia care needs of older people using an evidence based, person-centred approach through active online engagement with interdisciplinary, industry informed case scenarios.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
- Informal formative feedback will be provided through self-check exercises, peer feedback and through individual or whole of class feedback in online discussions or via comments in online communities.
- Formal written or recorded feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks via Turnitin or the Canvas Assignment tool, in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.
- Feedback on your assessment task 1 will be received prior to the submission of your assessment task 2.
- Industry informed expert feedback may be provided through clinical assessment examples and interventions at timely intervals to guide learning and assessment.
- Students are encouraged to seek and share feedback in their workplaces where appropriate.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, there are three summative assessments. The first assessment task is an online multiple choice quiz which opens in Week 3. The second assessment requires you to compare and contrast the manifestations and management of a behavioural, psychological or social issue that impacts a person with dementia and/or delirium across the disease trajectory. This task is due in the week 5, following the QUT Online consolidation week. The third assessment task requires you to develop a patient-centred approach to care for your chosen workplace/community setting that promotes living well with dementia drawing on contemporary evidence to justify your decision-making. This task is due at the end of the teaching period in the QUT Online exam week.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Quiz
To examine your understanding of physiological, behavioural and functional changes that occur throughout the disease trajectory of dementia and how these differ to the presentation of delirium, you will undertake an online quiz of 20 multiple choice questions.
Assessment: Report
The manifestations of the symptoms of dementia change throughout the disease trajectory impacting the care required. Choose a behavioural, psychological or social issue that impacts a person with dementia and compare and contrast the manifestations and management of the chosen issue across the disease trajectory from an interdisciplinary health context.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Case Study
Part A: Based on the provided case study, develop an evidence based, patient-centred and interdisciplinary approach to care that promotes living well with dementia. When developing the plan you will need to explore the concept of ‘living well dementia’, consider the role of an interdisciplinary team as well as the person with dementia and their care partner/s and justify your approach drawing upon contemporary evidence. 1500 words; 30%)
Part B: As a leader in aged care it is important that you are a change agent. Based on your findings in Part A, develop a project proposal to implement a practice change that will promote living well with dementia in a care setting relevant to you. A proposal template will be provided (1000 words; 20%)
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
Nil
Resources
Digitised Weekly Readings will be available throughout the online modules through QUT library
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Johnson, Amanda. CARING FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIA 2E, Wiley, (2014) ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/qut/detail.action?docID=4748090.
Touhy, TA. and Jett, K. (2018) Ebersole and Hess’ Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging, Elsevier, Florida
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit addresses sensitive and complex topics. If you are distressed by issues explored in the content of this unit you should approach academic staff or consult the free QUT counselling service. Substantial computer-based work will be required. You are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work.