Page 1 of 6
SOWK 5000 Aging Issues and Controversies
Mid-Tennessee Collaborative MSW Program
Course Syllabus
SW 5000: Aging Issues and Controversies
Fall 2011
Instructor: Michael A. Wright, PhD, MSW
Office: Elliott Hall 302 – TSU Main Campus
Office or contact hours: by Email
Phone: 615.963.7673
Email: mwright17@tnstate.edu
Course Description: An examination of the biological, psychological, and social issues
affecting older adults. The field of gerontology is explored with special attention to current
controversies in health care, independence, and social status with application of ethical theories
to these problems.
Course Purpose: This course introduces students to the concepts and controversies surrounding
aging. Special attention is given to the impacts on the family of caregiving, alternative living
arrangements, cognitive and physical decline, and other aging issues.
Educational Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
1. Define the scope of gerontological practice in the US.
2. Map the biopsychosocial aspects of aging.
3. Facilitate successful aging.
4. Articulate aging issues in the family.
5. Articulate aging issues in organizations and communities.
6. Articulate the concepts, issues, and cultural diversity of the aged.
Text:
Moody, H. R. (2009). Aging Concepts and Controversies (6th Edition). Pine Forge Press:
Thousand Oaks, CA. 536 pages, Paperback ISBN: 9781412969666 $91.95
Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to be intellectually honest and forthright in their academic activities.
Academic misconduct includes plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and facilitation. Students guilty
of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are
subject to the disciplinary procedures of the graduate college. See the graduate college catalog
for information on disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodations, or if you have any
questions related to any accommodation for testing, note taking, reading, etc., please contact the
instructor as soon as possible to discuss the needed accommodation. To register with the
university for accommodations, the contact information is:
Page 2 of 6
SOWK 5000 Aging Issues and Controversies



Austin Peay State University, Office of Disability Services, Morgan University Center
114, 931-221-6230 Voice or 931-221-6278 TTY.
Middle Tennessee State University, Office of Disabled Student Services, KUC 120,
phone 615-898-2185, TTY 615-898-2836
Tennessee State University, Office of Student's with Disabilities, Kean Hall 117, phone
615-963-7400.
Non-Discrimination:
The Universities strive to provide all students with educational opportunities to achieve their
fullest potential, both as individuals and as members of society. The Universities are committed
to a nondiscriminatory philosophy that extends to all constituents. For more information contact:
 Austin Peay State University, Office of Affirmative Action, Browning Bldg 7B,
931-221-7178
 Middle Tennessee State University Institutional Equity and Compliance Office, Cope
Administration Bldg 220, 615-898-2185.
 Tennessee State University, Equity, Diversity, and Compliance Office, 615-963-7435.
Class Grading:
Grading is based on standard grading practices:
100-90 = A; 89-80 = B; 79-70 = C; 69-60 = D; 59 & below = F
Class Assignments:
1. Online course has trainings, examinations, and a final exam.
This course is constructed as a self-directed learning experience. As such,
only one due date is enforced for the course, the final day of classes. The
final exam, available under "Assessments" above must be completed by that
date.
The final can be taken only ONCE. The resultant score will be your final
grade for the course. In order to have access to the final, you must score
90% or above on all the module quizzes. In order to take each of the
module quizzes, you must achieve 80% or better on the previous module
quiz. Each of the module quizzes may be taken as many times as you would
like.
Page 3 of 6
SOWK 5000 Aging Issues and Controversies
Course Outline:
SKILLS
Define the
scope of
gerontological
practice in the
US.
Map the biopsychosocial
aspects of
aging.
LESSON TOPICS
Scope of Social
Gerontology
Demography of Aging
The History of Aging
in America
Theories of Aging
Physical Aging and
Health
Psychological Aspects
of Aging
Successful aging
Facilitate
successful
aging applying
social work
values.
Employment and
Retirement
Activities, Lifestyles,
Religion, and
Spirituality
Health Care and
Epidemiology
Caregiving, Family,
friends and Social
support
Housing
Articulate aging
issues in
families.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN
MYTHS AND FACTS OF OLDER
ADULTS.
Legal, Financial, and
Abuse
Euthanasia &
Depression
RESOURCES
P319-332
P287-300
P429-445
QUIZ
NO CLASS Opening Convocation
Explore theories of aging.
IDENTIFY PHYSICAL HEALTH
ISSUES IN AGING.
IDENTIFY MENTAL HEALTH
AND COGNITIVE CONCERNS IN
AGING.
QUIZ
Formulate appropriate
diagnoses and biopsychosocial
assessments of elderly persons.
P2-16
P16-20,53-64
P21-23,93-102
P391-426
Explore the Activities and
lifestyles, Religion and Spirituality
of the aged that contribute to
successful aging.
P27-36
P129-191
CONSTRUCT A BALANCE
BETWEEN CAREGIVER
STRESS AND REWARDS.
NO CLASS Fall Break
MIDTERM QUIZ
EXPLORE DIFFERENT LIVING
ARRANGEMENTS.
IDENTIFY LEGAL AND
FINANCIAL PLANNING
CONCERNS. Explore the lifestyle
implications and protections
against abuse of the aged.
Explore the individual rights
questions at end of life.
QUIZ
P195-205
P229-236, ,
P300-311
P257-284
Page 4 of 6
SOWK 5000 Aging Issues and Controversies
SKILLS
LESSON TOPICS
Aging in
Contemporary
America Society and
Culture
Community Social
Articulate aging Services
issues in
organizations
and
communities
Politics and
Government and the
Future
Family Caregiving and
Work Release
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
IDENTIFY FAMILY ISSUES
INVOLVED IN CONSUMERDIRECTED AND COMMUNITYDIRECTED CARE.
ARRANGE FOR
PROFESSIONAL
ASSESSMENTS AND
CAREGIVER RESOURCES.
RESOURCES
P311-316, 426428,445-447
NEGOTIATE A BALANCE
BETWEEN WORK AND
CAREGIVING.
QUIZ
Page 5 of 6
SOWK 5000 Aging Issues and Controversies
Bibliography:
American Foundation for the Blind(2007). Expanding possibilities for people with vision
2007. ABF.ORG.
loss.
AARP (2003). Workplace Flexibility: Balancing Work and Caregiving.
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (2007). Balancing Work and Caregiving: Tips for
Employee. 2007. University of Florida.
College of Agriculture and life Sciences (2003). Key to Successful Aging: Stay Involved.
2003. Cornell University.
U. S. Census Bureau (2007). Dramatic Changes in U. S. Aging.
National Institute on Aging (2006). Dramatic Changes in U. S. Aging: 2006. National Institute
of Health.
Administration of Aging (AoA). (2006). A Statistical Profile of Older Americans aged 65+.
2006. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Washington, D. C.
The University of Maine, (2004). Caregiver Fact Sheet: Information for people who provide care
for older adults.
National Institute of Mental Health,(1999). Mental Health America: Depression in Older Adults.
Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2003)
Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1998), Successful Aging. New York: Pantheon.
C. Prevalence of Selected Chronic Conditions by Age, Sex, and Race/Ethnicity: United States,
1997-2006. NHIS (NHIC06b)
Bumagin, V. E. & Hirn, K. F.(2006). Caregiving: a guide for those who give care and those who
receive it.
Mature Market Institute . (1999). The MetLife Juggling Act Study
Balancing Caregiving with Work and the Cost involved. New York, NY Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company.
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (2007).
Farren, C., B., Kaufman, J., Donner, D., & Fogg, L. (1999)
Page 6 of 6
SOWK 5000 Aging Issues and Controversies
Rob, Caroline, R. N. & Reynolds, Janet, J. N. P. “The Caregiver’s Guide”, Helping Elderly
Relatives cope with Health and Safety Problems, 1991). Houghton Mifflin Company,
Boston, 1991.
Healthy Aging Preserving Function and Improving Quality of Life Among Older Americans At
A Glance 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/aging.htm
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, center for disease control and prevention,
National Center for Health Statistics, 2005
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistic, “Trends in
Vision and Hearing Among Older Americans”, March 2001
Guide for Older Adults on Depression-Lexapro (2007).
Mental Health America: Depression in Older Adults (2006).
New Jersey State Senior Housing Glossary. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
http://www.state.nj.us/health/senior/housingglossary.shtml
Older Adults: Home & Community Living. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
http://www.ct.gov/longtermcare/cwp/view.asp?a=1398&q=306594
Housing Alternatives for Seniors In New York State
http://aging.state.ny.us/explore/housing/housalt2.htm