Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - GERO 404 D100

Health and Illness in Later Life (3)

Class Number: 6798

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 19, 2023
    Wed, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units, GERO 300.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of issues related to health and illness among older adults, drawing upon theories and concepts from biological, social and public health sciences. An introduction to assessment and intervention skills useful to persons working with older adults in a broad range of practice settings.

COURSE DETAILS:

Aging and health is one of the most significant challenges in the 21st century.  As populations grow older, we see increasing numbers of people with age-related health problems.  Key questions that need to be addressed are: How can we promote good health in later life? How can we best support those people with age-related chronic health conditions? What are the implications for health services and community organisations? This course examines the way aging is related to the experience of health, illness and wellness. The course recognizes the diversity of the aging experience in relation to health, looking at factors such gender, socio-economic status and ethnicity.  Key themes include:

  • The concept of health and how this pertains to later life
  • Patterns of aging, health and ill-health at the population level
  • Health and healthy lifestyles across the lifecourse
  • The individual experience of health and aging
  • Policy and practice approaches

The course takes a multidisciplinary perspective (demography, epidemiology, policy, health sciences, psychology, sociology, etc.) and is appropriate to students from a wide range of disciplines who want to increase their understanding of aging in contemporary society.

Grading

  • Individual Project 25%
  • Group Project 25%
  • Written Assignment 25%
  • Take-Home Exam 25%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Weekly readings will be announced during the course.

REQUIRED READING:

None – all readings will be uploaded to Canvas

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html