GEY 6613 The Science of Aging  
 

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Lessons for the week of:
Jan 5 Jan 12 Jan 19 Jan 26 Feb 2 Feb 9 Feb 16 Feb 23
Mar 1 Mar 15 Mar 22 Mar 29 Apr 5 Apr 12 Apr 19 Apr 26

Students are expected to have read the assigned materials and be prepared to participate in class discussion and activities.
Date  Module 1  Technology Orientation
Jan 5
 
 
 
 


 

Notes from the instructor:   Welcome Letter
Course & Distance-Learning  Technology Orientation:     Technology Orientation
Assignment:  

Technology Orientation Assignments
Class Discussion
Ground Rules for Bulletin Board

Web Discussion Assignments

Class discussion/  (WebBoard)
All Students: Please go to the web board to check in and practice/begin discussion.

Focus Paper Guidelines

 
If you have any questions... email, or post to Web 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Create a Word document 
  2. Find a Web site about a given topic.
  3. Send an email with/without an attachment to the instructor 
  4. Post a message to the class distribution list 
  5. Reply to the message from the instructor 
  6. Post a message on the bulletin board 
  7. Reply to a posting on the bulletin board 
  8. Make a contribution in the class chat room 
  9. Use on-line library catalogue and search other on-line databases for publications 
  10. Retrieve electronic class reserves 

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Date  Module 2  Introduction to Health, Wellness, & Aging
Jan 12
 
 
 
 


 

Feedback from the instructor

Notes from the instructor:   Notes for Module 2
Readings :      Health In The Later Years. Ferrini & Ferrini 
   (1999).  Introduction, Chapters 1, 2
Assignment:  

Study Questions 2
 Study Question Guidelines
 Due today (Jan 12) to instructor via email
 Due Jan 13 posted on WebBoard   (no posting earlier!)
Class Discussion

Ground Rules for Bulletin Board

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion
If you have any questions... email, or post to Web 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to: 
  1. Define health and wellness as related to aging.
  2. Describe the demographics of health issues among older adults.
  3. Compare and contrast the three major categories related to biological theories of aging.
  4. Identify attitudes and values related to health and illness in the rural and urban older adult population.
  5. Describe how ageism impacts health care of older adults.

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Date  Module 3  The Body and Normal Aging, Part I
Jan 19
 


 

Feedback from the instructor 
Notes from the instructor:    Notes for Module 3
Readings : Health In The Later Years. Ferrini & Ferrini 1999). Chapter 3
Assignments: 

Study Question 3

Due today (Jan 19) to instructor via email.

Due Jan 20 posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion:

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

If you have any questions.. email, or post them on the Web 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Identify normal age changes in body systems related to sensation, protection, balance and process.
  2. Describe how these changes impact an elder's interaction with the environment.

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Date  Module 4  The Body and Normal Aging, Part II
Jan 26
 
 


 

Feedback from the instructor
Notes from the instructor:    Notes for Module 4
Readings : Health In The Later Years. Ferrini & Ferrini 1999). Chapter 3
Assignments: 

Study Questions 4
 Due today to instructor email
Due Jan 27 posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion:

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

If you have any questions.. email, or post them on the Web 

 

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Identify normal age changes in body systems related to flow and movement.
  2. Describe how these normal age changes impact an elder's interaction with the environment.
  3. Differentiate between normal age changes and disease states common in advanced years.

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Date  Module 5  The Body and Normal Aging, Part III
Feb 2
 


 
 
 

Feedback from the instructor

 

Notes from the instructor:   Notes for Module 5
Readings : Health In The Later Years. Ferrini & Ferrini 1999). Chapter 3
Assignments: 

Study Questions 5
Due today to instructor via email
Due Feb 3 posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion:

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

If you have any questions.. email, or post them on the Web 

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Identify normal age changes in body systems related to control and reproduction.
  2. Describe how these normal age changes impact an elder's interaction with the environment.
  3. Differentiate between normal age changes and disease states common in advanced years.

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Date   Module 6  Activity & Aging,  Part I 
Feb 9
 
 
 

Feedback from the instructor

 

Notes from the instructor:    Notes for Module 6
Readings : Health In The Later Years. Ferrini & Ferrini 1999). Chapter 4
Assignments: 

Study Questions 6
 Due today to instructor via email
Due Feb 10 posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion:

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

If you have any questions.. email, or post them on the Web 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss the impact of physical activity on normal aging and chronic illness, and the hazards of inactivity.
  2. Define the scope and benefits of exercise in the older adult population. 

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Date   Module 7  Activity & Aging, Part II
Feb 16
 
 
 

Feedback from the instructor
Notes from the instructor:    Notes for Module 7
Readings : Health In The Later Years. Ferrini & Ferrini 1999). Chapter 6,7
Assignments: 

Study Questions 7 
 Due today to instructor email
Due Feb 17 posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion:

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

 

Focus Paper Draft Reminder!  

 

Due next week: February 23

If you have any questions.. email, or post them on the Web 

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Describe sleep/wake cycle changes related to aging.
  2. Discuss the physiologic alterations that affect the older adult's sexual function.

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Date Module 8  Activity & Aging, Part III
Feb 23
 
 
 
 
 

Feedback from the instructor
Notes from the instructor:   Notes for Module 8
Readings : Health In The Later Years. Ferrini & Ferrini 1999). Chapter 5,11
Assignments: 

  Study Questions 8
 Due today to instructor email
Due Feb 24 posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion:

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

 

Focus Paper Draft!  

 

Due today by 3PM via email attachment!

If you have any questions.. email, or post them on the Web 

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss the nutritional status of elders today and the factors that can alter nutritional well-being.
  2. Describe lifestyle factors that affect health, wellness, and longevity in elders.

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Date  Mid-Term Examination
Mar 1
 

Feedback from the instructor
Topic: Mid-Term Examination
Mid-term Examination Due Date: 
If you have any questions . email, or post them on the Web 

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Is this how you feel right now? Hang on!
              You are half way through the course.


 
Date  Module 9  Medications & Aging
Mar 15
 
 
 

Feedback from the instructor
Notes from the instructor:  Notes for Module 9
Readings: Health In The Later Years. Ferrini &
Ferrini (1999).      Chapter 10
Assignments: Study Questions 9
 Due today to instructor via email
Due Mar 16th posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion

Web Discussion Assignments

  Web Discussion

 
If you have any questions . email, or post them on the Web 
     

                 

            

     

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the aspects of absorption, metabolism, and excretion of medications in older adults.
  2. Describe drug action and interactions in elders.
  3. Discuss patterns of drug use, misuse, and compliance. 

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Date  Module 10  Acute Illness in Later Life
Mar 22
 

Feedback from the instructor

 
Notes from the instructor:  Notes for Module 10
Readings: Health In The Later Years. Ferrini &
Ferrini (1999).      Chapter 9
Assignments: Study Questions 10
 Due today to instructor via email
Due Mar 23rd posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion

Web Discussion Assignments

   Web Discussion

 
If you have any questions . email, or post them on the Web 

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Identify and discuss the most common acute illnesses affecting the older population.
  2. Identify and discuss age related changes that may predispose the individual to falls and accidents.
  3. Describe the concept of addictions as it relates to the health of elders.
  4. Describe stress reaction and its relationship to illness.
  5. Define specific stress management techniques and discuss the impact of such techniques on stress related disorders.

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Date  Module 11  Chronic Illness in Later Life
Mar 29
 

Feedback from the instructor
Notes from the instructor:  Notes for Module 11
Readings: Health In The Later Years. Ferrini &
Ferrini (1999).      Chapter 8
Assignments: Study Questions 11
 Due today to instructor via email
Due Mar 30th posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion

Web Discussion Assignments

   Web Discussion

 
If you have any questions . email, or post them on the Web 

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Differentiate between acute and chronic illness and identify the most common chronic disorders affecting older adults.
  2. Describe the relationship between chronic disorders and mobility.
  3. Discuss pain, acute and chronic, as it relates to elders and describe pain management strategies.
  4. Identify factors related to the impact of disabling chronic illness on elders.
  5. Discuss the impact of treatment of chronic illness on other aspects of elders' lives.

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Date  Module 12  Dementia in Aging
April 5
 
 
 

Feedback from the instructor
Notes from the instructor:  Notes for Module 12
Readings: Health In The Later Years. Ferrini &
Ferrini (1999).      Chapter 7
Assignments: Study Questions 12 
 Due today to instructor via email
Due April 6th posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

 
If you have any questions . email, or post them on the Web 

 

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to: 
  1. Define dementia and differentiate from the symptoms of delirium and depression.
  2. Discuss the causes of dementia and differentiate between treatable and untreatable forms of dementia.
  3. Define the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease.
  4. Discuss intervention strategies related to providing care for someone with dementia.

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Date  Module 13  Health Care for Elders
April 12 
 
 
 

Feedback from the instructor
Notes from the instructor:  Notes for Module 13
Readings: Health In The Later Years. Ferrini &
Ferrini (1999).      Chapter 12, 13
Assignments: Study Questions 13
 Due today to instructor via email
Due April 13th posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

 
If you have any questions . email, or post them on the Web 

 

Reminder:  Focus Paper Due Next Week!

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the ethical issues related to the right to quality patient care for elders in various health care facilities.
  2. Discuss relationship between socioeconomic status and health care alternatives, and trends for the future.

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Date  Module 14  Quality of Life
April 19
 

Feedback from the instructor
Notes from the instructor:  Notes for Module 14
Readings: Health In The Later Years. Ferrini &
Ferrini (1999).      Chapter 7,11,13
Assignments: Study Questions 14
 Due today to instructor via email
Due April 20th posted on WebBoard
Class Discussion

Web Discussion Assignments

Web Discussion

 
If you have any questions . email, or post them on the Web 

Focus Paper:  Due today via email attachment!

 

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At the end of this session, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss the relationship of aging, illness and suicide.
  2. Discuss the issue of mental health in the aging population and describe the difficulty differentiating mental health from mental illness.
  3. Describe the dying process and appropriate comfort measures.

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Date Final Examination
April 26 

 
Final Examination.    Will be posted at 8 pm on Tuesday April 25th.  You have one hour to take the exam.  Your answers must be emailed back to me by 9pm.  

Due Date: 

If you have any questions ...    email, or post them on the Web 

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