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University of Arkansas at Little Rock
School of Social Work
Graduate Gerontology Program
Course Outline
Spring, 2013
SOWK8321
Biology and Psychology of Aging
Semester Credits: 3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Admission
Instructor: Dr. Angelo Turturro
Contact: clturturro@ualr.edu
I. DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
Understanding the consequences of aging and the extension of life expectancy requires the
concurrent understanding of the interrelationship of biology and behavior. Research on
“normal” aging over the life span offers the potential of understanding the changes that
occur with age so that we can use this understanding to anticipate and cope with those
physiological and behavioral functions altered by aging in ourselves and as caregivers.
The course will examine physiological and epidemiological studies of disease and aging as
well as the alteration in sensory perception, muscle function, etc. Finally, the issues of
interventions, realistic expectations, and ethics will also be examined.
II. OBJECTIVES OF COURSE
Health and Human Aging is a core course for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following
competencies and practice behaviors:
Competency 1. Understand and Apply Gerontological Values and Ethical Perspectives
Practice Behaviors
1.1 Assess and address personal values and biases regarding aging.
1.6 Understand end-of-life issues related to dying, death and bereavement.
Competency 2: Understand and Apply Gerontological Theoretical Perspectives
Practice Behaviors
2.1 Understand gerontology as multi-disciplinary and worldwide: studying aging
developmentally from biological, psychological, social and religious/spiritual
perspectives.
2.2 Relate gerontology perspectives and related theories to practice with older
adults (e.g., ecological structures at micro, mezzo, macro levels in society;
diversity and pluralism; strengths and resources; biological processes).
2.4 Healthy living: prevention, aging gains and losses, living with chronic diseases
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Competency 3: Analyze Needs and Resources: Aging Services, Programs, and Policies
Practice Behaviors
3.3 Identity ways the older adult can age in place, utilizing community resources in the
aging network.
Competency 4. Develop and Apply Critical Thinking
Practice Behaviors
4.3 Take an active part in experiential and service-learning projects with useful service
and focused reflection.
4.5 Identify aspects that may influence the interpersonal environment (e.g. age, cohort,
period effects, ageism, prejudice, stereotypes)
4.6 Synthesize theories of positive aging and formulate a personal definition.
4.7 Develop the professional self as a gerontologist.
4.8 Identify volunteer and career opportunities for gerontologists.
Competency 5. Develop Beginning Care Management Skills: Assessment and Intervention
Practice Behaviors
5.3 Ascertain health status and assess physical function (e.g. ADLs and IADLs) of older
adults.
5.4 Assess cognitive functioning and mental health status of older clients (e.g. depression,
dementia).
Competency 6. Identify Aging Developments, Technology and Trends
Practice Behaviors
6.1 Recognize changing demographics of aging, especially in the West, but also the
aging of developing countries.
6.2 Understand new developments, universal design, and adaptive technology to
enhance older adults’ function, independence, and safety.
Competency 7. Identify and Analyze Health, Life Course, and Life Style Issues
Practice Behaviors
7.4 Identify common threats to loss of independence: falls, medication management and
lifestyle.
7.5 Know the basic healthcare definitions of perceived health and illness: e.g. chronic
vs. acute illness; primary, secondary and tertiary health care; prevention and
adaptation.
7.6 Understand disabilities and rights of older adults.
III. UNITS, CONTENT, & REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENTS
Unit I: Overview of Aging
Practice behavior 1.1 for competency l; practice behavior 2.1 for competency 2
Session 1
3
Course Introduction. Review of syllabus and course expectations.
The Study of Aging and How to Study Aging and Its Demographics
Ferrini & Ferrini
Introduction to Identity and the Bio-psycho-social Perspective
Whitborne
Intro & Ch. 1.
Ch.1 (handout)
Session 2
Demography of Aging
Ferrini & Ferrini
Ch. 1
Session 3
Biologic Theories of Aging
Theories of Biological Aging
Ferrini & Ferrini,
Blackburn & Dulmus
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Unit II: Body Systems & Caring for Oneself
Practice behavior 2.1, 2.4 for competency 2; practice behavior 7.5 for competency 7
Session 4
The Body and Its Age Changes
Ferrini & Ferrini
Ch. 3
Appearances (The Skin, Hair, etc.) Musculo-Skeletal System Digestive System Endocrine System Immune System Session 5
Cardiovascular System Respiratory System Physical Activity
Exercise
Session 6
Test 1
Nutrition
Interventions:
Ferrini & Ferrini
Ch. 4
Ferrini & Ferrini
Ch. 5
Unit 3: The Body: Relationships and Bio-Psychological Limitations
Practice behavior 2.1 for competency 2; 7.4 and 7.5 for competency 7.
Session 7
Sexuality
Ferrini & Ferrini
Intimacy
Handbook of Gerontology
Session 8
Mental Health and Illness
Dementia
Delirium
Ferrini & Ferrini
Ch. 6
Ch. 10
Ch. 7
4
Alzheimer’s Disease
Handbook of Gerontology
Ch. 13
Unit 4: Illnesses; Use and Misuse of Medications
Practice behavior 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 for competency 7.
Session 9
Chronic Illness
Ferrini & Ferrini
Disability
Handbook of Gerontology
Session 10
Acute Illness
Accidents
Session 11
Test 2
Medications and the Elderly
Substance Abuse
Ch. 8
Ch. 8
Ferrini & Ferrini
Ch. 9
Ferrini & Ferrini
Handbook of Gerontology,
Ch. 10
Ch. 12
Session 12
Unit 5: Planning and Making Decisions
Practice behavior 1.6 for competency 1; 2.2 for competency 2; 4.3 and 4.6 for competency
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Prevention and Health Promotion
Ferrini & Ferrini
Ch. 11
Role of health risk behaviors
Medical Care
Ferrini & Ferrini
Ch. 12
Health Promotion
Handbook of Gerontology,
Ch. 7
Session 13
Long-term Care
Ferrini & Ferrini
Family Caregiving
Handbook of Gerontology,
Community and Facility Based Care Handbook of Gerontology
Class Presentations
Ch. 13
Ch. 16
Ch. 17
Session 14
Health Decisions and Directives
Death & Dying
Class Presentations
Ch. 19
Ch. 14
Handbook of Gerontology
Ferrini & Ferrini
Session 15
Final Examination
IV. TECHNIQUES OF INSTRUCTION
This course is being offered as a hybrid course. We are experimenting with delivering
lecture and PowerPoint presentations through BB. Students are expected to participate in
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class discussion and interaction with older adults through a service-learning project. Your
active participation in the class is expected by your attendance, active contributions to class
discussions, through performance on tests, and a class presentation of your semester
project.
V. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Ferrini, A.E. & Ferrini, R.L.(2008). Health in the Later Years. McGraw-Hill: N.Y.
Recommended Additional Reading
Blackburn, J. A. & Dulmus, C. N. (2007). Handbook of Gerontology: Evidence-Based
Approaches to Theory, Practice and Policy. Hoboken, NJ.: Wiley & Sons.
There may be other reading, given as handouts.
VI. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Student Paper and Class Presentation: Each student will be required to write a 10 page
paper and do a short class presentation. The topic should be appropriate to the integration
of the biological and psychological information in the course. Students may use real-life
examples and settings (stripped of identifying information) as a starting point but must
incorporate professional journal articles and books. An abstract (limit to one type-written
page) of your intended topic will be due at the time of the second test. Questions regarding
the appropriateness of topics will be discussed in class and may be discussed with your
professor. Internet sources should be limited. Please refer to the professor regarding
sources.
VII. METHOD OF EVALUATION
There are two tests, covering specific sections of the material. Each test is composed of
multiple choice questions and some short essays.
In addition, there is a paper and a class presentation from the paper. Further information
will be given in class.
Test One
Test Two
Paper
Presentation
VIII. GRADING SCALE
35%
35%
20%
10%
_____
100% of grade
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The grading scale for the Graduate program is as follows:
92-100
82-91
72-81
0-71
A
B
C
F
IX: CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
Learning in a professional program is based in large part on the interaction that occurs
between the instructor and students in the classroom. Regular attendance at class is an
expected professional responsibility of the student. Absences of greater than 20 percent of
the total class time may constitute grounds for course failure
X. HONOR CODE
All students registered for courses in the School of Social Work are expected to adhere to
the rights, responsibilities, and behavior as articulated in both the UALR Student
Handbook and the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics. An
essential feature of these codes is a commitment to maintaining intellectual integrity and
academic honesty. This commitment insures that a student of the School of Social Work
will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic work,
thereby affirming personal honor and integrity.
XI. DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Students with Disabilities: Your success in this class is important to me, and it is the
policy and practice of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to create inclusive learning
environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have a documented disability (or
need to have a disability documented), and need an accommodation, please contact me
privately as soon as possible, so that we can discuss with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) how to meet your specific needs and the requirements of the course. The DRC
offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process among you,
your instructor(s) and the DRC. Thus, if you have a disability, please contact me and/or the
DRC, at 501-569-3143 (V/TTY) or 501-683-7629 (VP). For more information, please visit
the DRC website at www.ualr.edu/disability.