About us       Accreditation       Publications       Conferences       Membership       Contact us

Diploma in Applied Gerontology

BM 02: Communication with Older People

 

Period

Every Monday from 30 April to 25 June 2007

　

Aim of the module

This module aims to provide participants with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills on communicating and forming relationships with older people.  This will be achieved by introducing the concepts, theories and methods of communicating with older people.  Additionally, participants will be engaged in class activities so as to bring the theoretical aspects of communication into practice.

　

Learning Objectives

At the end of the module, the participants will be able to:

  1. Understand the importance of communicating well in the workplace.

  2. Provide examples and reasons for communication breakdown in the daily encounters with older people.

  3. Describe the theoretical components of communication and essential aspects of the communication process.

  4. Develop basic and therapeutic communication skills in caring for older people and apply these skills into the class activities.

  5. Identify age-related physical, cognitive, psychosocial and environmental changes that can affect communication with older people.

  6. Discuss strategies that facilitate and block communication with older people.

  7. Discuss the elements of professional communication including courtesy, trust, privacy and confidentiality, trust, use of names, responsibility and assertiveness. 

Course Content

This module consists of 9 sessions. Each session will last for 2 hours.

　

Session Topic Hours Speaker
1

Importance of communication in the workplace

Communication breakdown

Briefing: Assessment

 2 Lisa Low
2

Basic elements of the communication process

Levels and forms of communication

2 Tenor Choi
3

Psychological aspects of ageing: adjustment to long term care settings and preparation for death

 2 Tenor Choi
4

Non-therapeutic communication skills

Basic communication skills

Basic of Satir Model

 2 Tenor Choi
5

Therapeutic communication skills for older people and family members

 2 Tenor Choi
6

Physical and cognitive age-related changes affecting communication with older people

 2 Tenor Choi
7

Strategies for facilitating and blocking communication with older people

2 Tenor Choi
8

Conduct of professional communication: respect, trust, assertiveness and confidentiality

 2 Tenor Choi
9

Classroom assessment

 2 Lisa Low

　

Teaching and learning methods

Classroom teaching, case scenarios, video-shows and group discussions.

 

Medium of instruction

The classes will be taught in Cantonese and supplemented with English. All teaching notes will be in English.

 

Class size

Each class will comprise of 30 participants.

　

Class times and venue

All classes will be on Tuesday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hong Kong Institute of Gerontology (1/F, HKSR Lam Tin Complex, 7 Rehab Path, Lam Tin, Kowloon).

　

Teaching Team

Module Leader: Lisa Low

Speakers: Tenor Choi & Lisa Low

　

Assessment

The assessment date will be held from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on 29 May 2007.

The assessment for this module comprises of two pieces: (1) view a video at home and critique the video by answering a set of structured questions in the classroom (40%) and (2) write 100 words to summarize the content of the critique (40%). The other 20% is awarded for class attendance. Participants must have 80% attendance to be eligible for the assessment.

　

Assessment Guidelines

Students are advised to work in groups of four people to do a video-critique. A video will be given to you to take home to view in your own time. It is a 15 minutes recording of a communication/interaction with an older person. In the classroom examination, each group of students will be given 10 minutes to critique the video for strengths and weaknesses of communication skills used by answering a set of structured questions.  Additionally, you will be given another 20 minutes to write a 100-word summary of the strengths and weaknesses identified in the conversation with the older person.

 

Recommended References

  • Adams, C.H., & Jones, P.D. (2000). Interpersonal communication skills for health professionals (2nd ed.). New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.

  • Williams, D. (1997). Communication skills in practice: a practical guide for health professionals. London: Kingsley.

  • 吳洪激 (2003).「溝通兵法」. 漢欣文法(台灣)出版

Application Procedure

A completed application form must be accompanied with the following documents: photocopies of degree/diploma certificates and testimonials or other relevant evidence of the applicant’s working experience. Exemptions may be considered on an individual basis. Completed application form, copies of appropriate certificates and cheque should be sent to: 1/F, HKSR Lam Tin Complex, 7 Rehab Path, Lam Tin, Kowloon. Please make cheque payable to ‘Hong Kong Association of Gerontology’. 

 

AWARDS CERTIFICATES

  • Upon successful completion of 3 basic modules, the Basic Certificate in Applied Gerontology will be awarded by the Hong Kong Association of Gerontology.

  • Additionally, this module is accredited by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Physiotherapist Association and Hong Kong Occupational Therapist Association. CNE / CPD / CPE points will be awarded by the above professional associations.