How to Improve Care for the Elderly: Identifying Red Flags
Learn how to recognise critical signs in the elderly that could indicate a serious problem and the need for emergency care.
561 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
How to Improve Care for the Elderly: Identifying Red Flags
Provide better elderly care in personal or professional settings
It’s estimated that by 2050, 30% of the population will be over 65. This means that more people will need to know how to properly care for the elderly.
Whether you provide care in a professional or personal context, this three-week course will arm you with the knowledge and tools to enhance your care for the elderly.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop your understanding of the different health issues the elderly face. What’s more, you’ll gain crucial skills to recognise the signs that indicate the need for urgent or emergency care.
Understand the considerations for caring for the ageing population
You’ll start by unpacking the physiology of ageing and the different care considerations for the elderly demographic.
Next, you’ll gain an introduction to the different signs and symptoms to be aware of, such as disorientation, weight loss, and the inability to take care of basic tasks.
Recognise the atypical presentations in caring for the elderly
Diseases can often present themselves differently in elderly people, making it challenging to identify the signs of a serious problem.
On the course, you’ll develop your understanding of atypical presentations of diseases as you learn how to identify risk factors that increase this likelihood.
This knowledge will help you become better equipped to recognise the need for urgent or emergency care.
Learn from the experts at The University of West Indies
Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by physician Dr Williams-Johnson and the specialists at The University of West Indies. With their expertise, you’ll finish with the knowledge and skills to improve your care for the elderly.
Syllabus
Week 1
Healthy Ageing
Demographics of ageing
An examination of the demographics of ageing in various regions worldwide and the Caribbean.
Physiology of ageing
Explore the physiology of ageing and gain an understanding of how aging affects the biological system.
Discussion and overview
Scenario-based discussion and overview of ageing.
Week 2
Considerations for Care
Introduction to care considerations
In this activity we will explore some of the important things to consider when caring for elderly persons or family members.
Signs and symptoms
In this activity, we will explore some possible signs and symptoms to help you determine whether augmented care is needed.
Care and decision making
In this activity we will look at various scenarios to help you in your decision-making.
Assessment and overview
A review of the activities explored in Week 2.
Week 3
Atypical Presentation
Atypical presentation explained
A disease state that is missing some of the traditional core features of the illness usually seen in younger patients.
Discussion and assessment
Discussion on four cases of elderly patients who went to their general practitioner with different complaints.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Discuss the importance of caring for this expanding sector of the Caribbean population
- Describe the physical changes due to age in several biological systems
- Identify early warning signs that elderly persons need augmented care
- Assess the factors which determine how and where care should take place
- Identify the key characteristics of quality care provided by an institution or personal carer
- Interpret atypical presentations of illness in elderly
- Engage the elderly patient in discussions about their care
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone who cares for elderly people including physicians, nurses, and those caring for elderly relatives at home.
No prior knowledge or experience is needed, although some understanding of basic medical care would be useful.
Who will you learn with?
Dr Jean Williams-Johnson is a Consultant Emergency Physician at the University Hospital of the West Indies and Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine, the University of the West Indies.
Who developed the course?
The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI stands among the top 1.5% of universities globally, following Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022.
Established
1948Location
The West Indies
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $349.99 for one year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 18 May 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$349.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 18 May 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
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