Health and Socio-political Issues in Aged Care
Learning Outcomes
1. critique representations of older people in policy, laws and legislation, and health/social service delivery;
2. evaluate the rationales for resource allocation, service provision and coordination of services for older people using a social capital approach;
3. critique models of health service delivery for older people, including models of wellness, user-pays, case management, and active ageing (WHO);
4. demonstrate an understanding of contemporary aged care issues from political, philosophical, legal and ethical positions;
5. critically discuss strategies for reform in the delivery of aged care services that take into account all stakeholders.
Assessment 1: Essay
Aim of Assessment
The purpose of this essay is to enable students to gain insight into health and socio-political issues in aged care at a national and international level and to demonstrate synthesis of this evidence and its application in policy and practice.
On successful completion of this assessment task students will have met the following learning outcomes:
1. critique representations of older people in policy, laws and legislation, and health/social service delivery;
2. evaluate the rationales for resource allocation, service provision and coordination of services for older people using a social capital approach;
3. critique models of health service delivery for older people, including models of wellness, user-pays, case management, and active ageing (WHO)
Details
In this assessment task you are required to write an essay on the following topic:
Describe the concept of social capital and demonstrate how this has been applied in health & social policy and programs relating to either housing, healthcare or other services, and support for older persons. This discussion needs to be completed with reference to the literature and critical discussion of findings.
This assessment requires you to:
• write an essay format incorporating an introduction, body and conclusion (NB no headings). If you have just returned to study or have difficulty constructing essays please refer to the ‘Academic Literacy' document on how to develop an essay under ‘Assessment' on the vUWS site.
• define the term ‘social capital' and provide examples of how this concept has been applied in health and social policy and programs
• critique these examples with reference to the literature.
Assessment 2: Analytical Paper
Aim of Assessment
The purpose of this analytical paper is to enable students to gain an understanding of the concept of a palliative approach in aged care at a national and international level and to demonstrate synthesis of this approach with evidence about its application in policy and practice.
On successful completion of this assessment task students will have met the following learning outcomes:
3. critique models of health service delivery for older people, including models of wellness, user-pays, case management, and active ageing (WHO);
4. demonstrate an understanding of contemporary aged care issues from political, philosophical, legal and ethical positions;
5. critically discuss strategies for reform in the delivery of aged care services that take into account all stakeholders.
Details
In this assessment task you are required to write an essay on the following topic:
Discuss the concept of a ‘palliative approach' to end of life care and critique how this approach may be implemented in practice for older people, especially those with dementia. In your discussion consider policies around advanced care directives and funding models for residential care.
This assessment requires you to:
• write an essay incorporating an introduction, body and conclusion (subheadings may assist with the structure of this longer essay).
• define the term ‘palliative approach' and ‘end of life care' using contemporary literature
• discuss advanced care directives particularly from an ethical perspective
• consider how a palliative approach to end of life care may affect funding of residential care facilities
• critique these approaches and concepts with reference to the literature.