HLTH 3711: Healthy Aging: A Contemporary Perspective
This course provides a contemporary perspective of healthy aging in Canada. Changing population demographics highlight the importance of understanding successful and healthy aging in multiple dimensions such as personal health domains (e.g. physical, emotional, social, psychological, spiritual) and social determinant dimensions (e.g. biology, education, income, housing, social networks, work). The course will emphasize contemporary, 'health across the lifespan' aging as differentiated from the historical model of declining health and abilities.
Learning outcomes
- Recognize the demographic shift in the Canadian population
- Critically analyze healthy aging across personal health domains
- Explore the impact of social determinants of health on healthy aging
- Identify the changes and challenges associated with aging
Course topics
- Unit 1: Introduction and Theoretical Foundations
- Unit 2: Demographics
- Unit 3: Age-related Physiological Changes
- Unit 4: Health Status, Care, Promotion and Prevention
- Unit 5: Social Determinants of Health
- Unit 6: Changes and Challenges
- Unit 7: Myths and Realities
Required text and materials
Students require the following e-textbook, which can be purchased directly from the TRU bookstore site at: https://thebookstore.tru.ca/site_digital.asp
- Novak, M., Northcott, H. C., & Kobayashi, K. (2022). Aging and Society: A Canadian Perspective (9th Ed.). TopHat.
Type: E-Textbook. ISBN: 9781774942512
Assessments
In order to successfully complete this course, students must obtain at least 50% on the mandatory final project and 50% overall.
| Assignment 1: Unit 1 Reflective Journal | 5% |
| Unit 2 Quiz: Demographics | 3% |
| Unit 3 Quiz: Physiological Changes | 5% |
| Assignment 2: Unit 4 Reflective Journal | 7% |
| Assignment 3: Health Promotion | 20% |
| Assignment 4: Interview | 20% |
| Assignment 5: Unit 6 Reflective Journal | 10% |
| Mandatory Final Project | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
