Traditional models of health care have contributed to patient care being delivered as a series of practical tasks, rather than part of an active relationship between nurses and patients. It is now acknowledged that for best outcomes, nursing care should be delivered in partnership with patients. However, to achieve this nurses and patients need support and opportunities to share and use their values, expertise, information, hopes and aspirations in care relationships. This course enables nurses to develop the knowledge and skills required to deliver more person-centred ways of working in their care of older people.
As you work through this course, you’ll be encouraged to think critically about the knowledge that underpins your practice with older people, and to begin to evaluate different models and theories that have been developed to explain what you do in your day-to-day work.
The course is structured around six study units:
New frameworks for old – you will begin by reviewing both historical and more recent developments in nursing and health care relating to older people. You will also explore frameworks, models and concept that can be used to enhance the delivery of care.
Being self-aware – ‘knowing me’ – here you’ll explore how personal and professional values and attitudes towards ageing can impact on the care and support provided for older people.
Knowing the person – this unit examines different approaches to assessment and the particular challenges that you are likely to encounter in getting to know an older person and their supporters.
Creating and maintaining therapeutic relationships – here you will study concepts of humanistic nursing philosophy and therapeutic nursing. You will then explore how these can be used to inform and shape nursing practice.
Communicating effectively with older people and their carers – factors that help or inhibit communication are explored. You will particularly consider how issues of control, language, listening and the older person’s story are important for effective communication.
Towards person-centred care in context – finally you will explore the potential of the care environment to both create and inhibit person-centred practice with particular reference to culture in healthcare organisations.
