Gerontology Course

Lesson 1 • Major Theories of Aging

Surveys biological, psychological, and sociological theories that explain aging processes. Equips students to evaluate research through multiple theoretical lenses.

Lesson 2 • Interdisciplinary Approaches to Gerontology

Maps contributions from medicine, sociology, psychology, and public health to aging science. Demonstrates why no single discipline fully explains aging.

Lesson 3 • Demographics of Global Aging

Examines population aging trends, dependency ratios, and regional variation. Provides the epidemiological foundation for understanding societal impact.

Lesson 4 • Defining Aging and Gerontology

Clarifies what aging means across disciplines and how gerontology emerged as a field. Anchors all subsequent content in shared terminology and scope.

Lesson 1 • Cellular and Molecular Aging

Covers telomere shortening, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence as drivers of aging. Provides the molecular basis for understanding systemic age-related changes.

Lesson 2 • Musculoskeletal and Neurological Changes

Analyzes sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and central nervous system aging. Connects these changes to mobility, fall risk, and cognitive function.

Lesson 3 • Integumentary and Gastrointestinal Aging

Reviews skin, hair, and digestive system changes that affect comfort, nutrition, and self-image. Grounds clinical assessment in observable biological markers.

Lesson 4 • Endocrine and Immune System Aging

Examines hormonal shifts and immunosenescence that alter metabolism and disease resistance. Explains why older adults face heightened infection and chronic disease risk.

Lesson 1 • Personality and Emotional Development

Examines how personality traits stabilise or shift in later life and how emotional regulation improves. Connects these patterns to well-being and interpersonal relationships.

Lesson 2 • Mental Health Conditions in Older Adults

Covers prevalence, presentation, and screening of depression, anxiety, and late-life psychosis. Prepares students to recognise and refer mental health concerns appropriately.

Lesson 3 • Psychological Assessment of Older Adults

Introduces validated tools for assessing cognition, mood, and functional status in older populations. Ensures accurate data collection for care planning.

Lesson 4 • Cognitive Changes in Normal Aging

Distinguishes age-related cognitive shifts from dementia, covering memory, processing speed, and attention. Establishes the baseline for identifying pathological change.

Lesson 1 • Social Inequalities and Aging

Applies intersectionality to understand how gender, race, class, and sexuality compound aging disadvantage. Grounds advocacy in structural analysis.

Lesson 2 • Social Roles and Role Transitions

Examines retirement, widowhood, and grandparenting as major role transitions in later life. Links role change to identity, purpose, and social engagement.

Lesson 3 • Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Analyses intergenerational family structures, caregiver burden, and support networks. Prepares students to assess family systems as resources and stressors.

Lesson 4 • Social Isolation and Loneliness

Distinguishes social isolation from loneliness and documents their health consequences. Introduces community-based strategies to promote social connectedness.

Lesson 1 • Chronic Pain and Sensory Impairment

Addresses underreported chronic pain and age-related sensory loss and their functional consequences. Introduces multimodal assessment and management approaches.

Lesson 2 • Dementia and Cognitive Disorders

Covers Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia across stages. Distinguishes dementia subtypes to guide appropriate care planning.

Lesson 3 • Falls, Frailty, and Mobility Disorders

Analyzes fall risk factors, frailty syndrome, and gait disorders as interconnected geriatric syndromes. Prepares students to conduct multifactorial fall risk assessments.

Lesson 4 • Urinary Incontinence and Sleep Disorders

Examines prevalence, types, and management of incontinence and sleep disturbances in older adults. Reduces stigma and improves quality-of-life outcomes through targeted intervention.

Lesson 1 • Social and Environmental Assessment

Evaluates social support networks, caregiver capacity, and home environment safety. Integrates social determinants into a holistic care plan.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

Defines the goals, domains, and team-based structure of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. Establishes why standard medical evaluation is insufficient for older adults.

Lesson 3 • Care Planning and Goal Setting

Synthesizes assessment findings into prioritized, patient-centered care plans with measurable goals. Demonstrates how to align clinical recommendations with patient values.

Lesson 4 • Functional Status and ADL Assessment

Teaches measurement of Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living to gauge independence. Links functional status to care setting and resource allocation decisions.

Lesson 1 • Financing Long-Term Care

Examines public insurance programs, private pay, and long-term care insurance as funding mechanisms. Prepares students to counsel older adults on financial planning for care.

Lesson 2 • Continuum of Care Settings

Describes home-based, community-based, and institutional care options across the dependency spectrum. Enables students to match care needs to appropriate settings.

Lesson 3 • Transitions of Care and Care Coordination

Addresses risks during care transitions—hospital to home, acute to post-acute—and coordination strategies. Reduces readmissions and adverse events through structured handoffs.

Lesson 4 • Palliative and Hospice Care

Distinguishes palliative care from hospice, covering eligibility, services, and goals-of-care conversations. Integrates comfort-focused care into the long-term care continuum.

Lesson 1 • Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

Develops skills for effective communication, role clarity, and conflict resolution within geriatric care teams. Demonstrates how team-based care improves older adult outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Program Development for Older Adults

Guides students through needs assessment, program design, and evaluation for aging-focused services. Produces practitioners capable of building community-level solutions.

Lesson 3 • Professional Development and Self-Care

Addresses compassion fatigue, reflective practice, and career pathways in gerontology. Sustains long-term professional effectiveness in a demanding field.

Lesson 4 • Evidence-Based Practice in Gerontology

Applies research appraisal skills to select and implement evidence-based gerontological interventions. Bridges the gap between research findings and clinical or community practice.