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Foundations of Gerontology

Code: HPGC100
Apply this course towards: Gerontology

Course description

This course introduces the foundations of gerontology through an interdisciplinary, person-centered lens that frames aging as a complex and dynamic lifelong process. It explores the biological, psychological, social, environmental, and cultural factors that shape diverse aging experiences and outcomes. Learners examine how ageism and social attitudes influence health, well-being, and access to supports, while developing the ability to distinguish typical age-related changes from indicators of altered health or functional change.

The course emphasizes communication, autonomy, and dignity in supporting older adults across varied cognitive, sensory, and cultural contexts. Learners also evaluate models of care and system transitions and explore principles of palliative and end-of-life care, including grief and bereavement. Across all modules, learners integrate theory and practice to support inclusive, respectful, and effective engagement with older adults in diverse settings. 

Learning objectives

  • Analyze how social attitudes, structural ageism, and historical perspectives on aging influence health outcomes, service access, and quality of life for older adults.
  • Distinguish between typical age-related changes and indicators of altered health or functional change, recognizing the variability and complexity of aging experiences. 
  • Apply person-centered communication strategies to support autonomy, dignity, and meaningful engagement with older adults across diverse cognitive, sensory, and cultural contexts.
  • Analyze how interconnected biological, psychological, social, environmental, and functional factors shape the complexity and variability of aging and health experiences across later life.
  • Evaluate models of care and transitions across health and community systems to support continuity, safety, inclusion, and well-being in later life.
  • Apply principles of palliative and supportive care to demonstrate sensitive, person-centered approaches to end-of-life experiences, grief, and bereavement within diverse aging contexts. 

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Info you should know:

Continuing Studies statement on use of educational technology

This course will require the use of Zoom and may use other education technology such as internet-based applications, cloud services, or social media. In order to complete this course you will be required to either consent to the disclosure of your personal information outside of Canada to enable use of these technologies, or work with the Division of Continuing Studies to explore other privacy protective options (such as using an alias or nickname).