Activities Professional Aging in Society

Activities Professional – Aging in Society

265 Hours/12 Months/Instructor Supported

Course Overview:

There are many types of facilities where Activity Professionals work. Activity Professionals can work in long-term care facilities, assisted living communities or adult day care programs. The Activity Professional provides activities for residents in these facilities and may play many diverse roles within the each community. The goal of the Activity Professional is to create a homelike environment where the residents have control of their lives. There are also administrative responsibilities and resident care duties as well as plenty of other tasks that keep the work interesting.

Course Outline:

Activity Professional Module 1

The Activity Professional’s Role

Introduction to the Field of Activity Professionals
Culture Change and Growth in Long-Term Care
Industry Terminology
Myths & Realities of Aging 2000
Older Americans Act
Imagine Yourself at 84
Reactions to Illness
Their Families
Diagnosis and Chronic Disorders
Neurological Disorders
Psychiatric Disorders
The Wellness Tree of Life
Sensory Loss
Death & Dying
Professionalism in this Field
Physical Environment
Personal Environment
Cultural Environment
Working Environment

Activity Professional Module 2

Person-Centered Activity Programming

Person-Centered Programs
Physical Activity & Exercise with Older Adults
Activity Review Forms
OBRA Interpretive Guidelines Tips
Challenges and Techniques of Group work
Activity Consolation
Activity Suggestions
Leisure, Leisure, Leisure
Activity Supplies
Activity Analysis
One-to-One Programming
Multi-Sensory, Multi-Level theme Activities
Programming for Severe Cognitive Impairments
Sensory Integration & Stimulation
Programming for Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairments
Validating Activities
Remotivating / Reminiscing Activities
Resocializing Activities Resocializing Activities

Activity Professional Module 3

Assessment, Documentation & Treatment Plans

Short-Term Stays Rehab Activities
Cognitive Stimulation & Retraining Activities
Community Integration Activities
Documentation Principles
Introduction to Required Documentation
Activity Documentation
The Initial Assessment
Activity Assessment
Standardized Scales & Assessment Tools
Discharge from the Nursing Home
Resident Assessment Instruments
The RAI Process
Filing out the MDS
Resident Assessment Protocols
Care Planning
Monitoring the Treatment Plan
Quarterly Review
Annual Review
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Activity Professional Module 4

Quality Assurance & Management Roles

Resident Council
Family Council
Activity Department Volunteers
One-on-One Volunteer Friendship Programs
Quality Assurance
Infection Control
Risk Management
Immediate Jeopardy
Resident’s Rights
Restraints
Behavior Management
Time Management
Budgets
Policies and Procedures
OBRA Regulations
Surveys & Survey Groups
Medications in the Elderly

Activity Professional Module 5

Planning a Successful Exercise Program

Defining Frail Elders & Special Needs
Common Medical Disorders in the Elderly
The Exercise Program
Make It Motivating, Safe and Effective
Creating a Sense of Fun and community
Setting UP a Group Exercise Class
Helpful Tips for Starting the Exerciser Class
Safety Precautions for Warm-Ups
Guidelines for Warm-Up Exercises
Basic Seated Warm-Up Exercises
Basic Standing Warm-Up Exercises
Variations and Progression
Range-of-Motion Instruction

Activity Professional Module 6

Implementing an Exercise Program

Aerobic Training for Cardiovascular Endurance
Safety Precautions for Aerobic Training
Guidelines for Aerobic Training
Aerobics Instruction
Resistance Training for Muscular Strength
Myths About Resistance Training
Safety Precautions for Resistance Training
Guidelines for Resistance Training
Resistance Training Instruction
Stretching and Relaxation Exercises
Safety Precautions for Cool-Down Exercises
Guidelines for Cool-Down Exercises
Stretching Instruction
Putting Your Exercise Program Together
Designing Your Exercise Program
Scheduling Your Exercise Classes
Modifying the Exercises
Maintaining Fitness Results
Monitoring Attendance and Progress

Aging & Society

Course Overview:

Aging & Society introduces you to gerontology in a compassionate way that helps you understand seniors and know how to work with them. This course combines sound academics with an empathetic view of the lives of older people. Beginning with a comprehensive look at aging in America, this course then delves into more specific theories and topics, such as the role of friends, family, and community. You will explore a number of contemporary issues in aging, such as long-term care, public policy affecting the elderly, and the aging populations’ impact on society.

Course Outline:

Aging & Society Module 1

Aging, Stereotypes & Developmental Theories

Aging in America
Person-environment and Social issues
No Golden Age of Aging
Personal and Social Definitions of Age
Ageism
Demographics of Aging
Global Aging
Stereotypes of Aging
The Social Construction of Aging
Explaining Stereotypes
Breaking negative Stereotypes
Early Developmental Models of Aging
Developmental Patterns
Activity theory
Disengagement Theory
Gerotranscendence
Continuity Theory
Theoretical Roles of Individuals & Society

Aging & Society Module 2

Physical, Mental & Social Well Being

The Aging Body
Normal Aging
Health Status
Chronic and Acute Conditions of Aging
Major Health Problems
Theories of Why We Age
Understanding Longevity
Social & Environmental Factors
The Psychology of Aging
Cognitive Processes
Basic Cognitive functions
Learning and Memory
Psychopathology & the Myth of Senility
Functional Disorders
Organic Mental Disorders
Family Development in Later Life
Kin Structure & Relations
Social Networks
Religion and Spirituality

Aging & Society Module 3

Intimacy, Work, Leisure & Finances

The Need for Intimacy
Marital Status
Sexual Relationships & Sexuality
Research on Sexuality
Improving Attitudes About Aging & Sexuality
The Concept of Retirement
Age Discrimination in Employment
Adjustment to Retirement
Work and Leisure Values
Expanding Work & Leisure Opportunities
Financial Status
Social Security
Medical Expense in Old Age
Private Pensions
Lifestyles of the Poor
A Piece of the Good Life

Aging & Society Module 4

Living Environments, Caregiving & Special Problems

The Oldest-Old
Informal Caregiving
Obligations of Adult Children to Parents
Spousal Caregiving
The Childless Elder
Elder Caregiving to Grandchildren
Solving Caregiving Problems
Stress & Stress Management
The Home Care Crisis
Suicide & the Elderly
Crimes Against Older People
Aging Criminals
Elder Abuse
Defrauding the Elderly
Medical and Health Care Fraud
Drug Abuse
Promoting Consumer Education

Aging & Society Module 5

Ethnic Groups, Death & Dying, and Policies & Programs

Women and Aging
African Americans and Aging
Hispanic Americans and Aging
Asian Americans and Aging
Native Americans and Aging
Improving the Status of Ethnic Elders
Death and Dying
Fear of Death
Living fully Until Death
Care of the dying in Hospitals
A Matter of Choice
Informed Consent to Treatment
Funerals
Facing & Preparing for Death
Bereavement
Senior Power Today
The Older Americans Act
Eldercare Programs
Activism and Advocacy

All necessary materials included.

System Requirements:

Internet Access

Broadband or high-speed internet access is required. Broadband includes DSL, cable, and wireless connections..
Dial-Up internet connections will result in a diminished online experience. Moodle pages may load slowly and viewing large audio and video files may not be possible.

Hardware

Windows hardware configurations and processors are acceptable.
Mac computers MUST have Microsoft Window Operating Systems over Bootcamp (Bootcamp is a free download from Apple's website).
1 GB RAM recommended
Software
Operating Systems
Windows XP or Vista and Mac OS X 10 and higher with Windows
Web Browsers
Google Chrome
Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8
Safari, Internet Explorer & FireFox are not currently recommended as they cannot display certain Moodle editing menus for both students and instructors
Media Plug-ins (These may be required depending on your course media-click on the links below to download the latest versions)
Adobe Flash Player
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Apple Quicktime
Windows Media Player
Real Player
PowerPoint Viewer (use this if you don't have PowerPoint)

Activities Professional Aging in Society