Course Description

The Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing, one of Europe's largest institutes for ageing, presents this 5-day foundation course in gerontological nursing.

AIM
The aims of the course are:

1.     To develop the knowledge required to meet the complex needs of older people
        in care settings such as acute, residential, rehabilitation and the community.

2.     To develop the skills required to function as an integral part of the
        multidisciplinary team caring for the older person.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this programme, the student will be able to:

1.     Gain a good understanding of the common conditions/illnesses that older   
        persons may encounter

2.     Recognise the importance of providing person-centred care for the older person

3.     Develop an understanding of the normal ageing process

4.     Develop the knowledge required to provide holistic care to the older person

5.     Identify the need to apply specialist gerontological knowledge to practice when
        caring for the older person 

CONTENT

• Overview of programme - aims and learning outcomes
• Demographics on ageing
• Concept of social prescribing
• Urinary continence assessment & management
• Communication and it's disorders
• Safeguarding vulerable adults
• Nutritional needs of the older person
• Management of PEG/RIG tubes

• Overview and management of heart failure
• Bone health and osteoporosis (services & conditions)
• Overview and management of a person presenting with stroke and Afib
• Polypharmacy
• Infection Control
• End to end communication
• Frailty & frailty case discussion

• Falls and Syncope Unit (FASU) services and conditions
• Patient safety programme - Role of the nurse
• Legal issues
• Person centred care
• Geriatric Oncology - Oral Chemotherapy
• Geriatric Oncology - Introduction of Radiotherapy
• Robery Mayne Day Hospital & Community Liaison
• Blood profile & sepsis
• Tissue viability - Acute and chronic wound management

• Psychiatry of the older person
• Depression in the older person
• Delirium in the older person
• Overview and management of a person with Parkinson's Disease
• Overview of Dementia
• Communications with a person with Dementia - Responsive Behaviour
• Care of the older person - Nursing the person with Dementia in a nursing home setting
• LGBTQI+
• Application of Theory to practice - Simulated/Non simulated patient scenarios
• Case study Non cognitive symptoms of Dementia and Delirium

• Trinity College Dublin - Post Graduate studies in Gerontological Nursing
• Falls prevention & management
• Nursing Metrics
• Overview of managment of a person presenting with kidney injury
• Pressure ulcer staging & the SSKIN bundle
• Discharging process
• End of Life
• MCQ's discussion
• Identification of future learning needs - maintaining competency

1000 word case study on relevant gerontological nursing topic due one month after course completion.

DELIVERY

This five-day course is delivered online via Zoom.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Suitable for all nurses working with older persons.

ENTRY CRITERIA
Learners on this programme must meet the following criteria:

• Registered Nurse