Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. 1. Week 1: 12 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 8 hrs asynchronous Medical Terminology • Word elements: prefixes, roots and suffixes, and abbreviations. Structure and Function of the Human Body • Organization of the human body: cells, tissues, and organs. • Major body systems: ◦ Integumentary ◦ Musculoskeletal • Natural changes associated with aging Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). • Common disorders related to each body system (relevant examples in parenthesis): ◦ Integumentary (common skin disorders, pressure ulcers, pain). ◦ Musculoskeletal (falls, fractures, contractures, arthritis, osteoporosis, pain). • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges. End-of-Life Care • Hospice and palliative care — philosophy and principles of care. • The journey of dying — understanding and coming to terms with death and dying. • Caring and problem-solving as related to palliative care in facilities and in community settings.• Legal and ethical practice and safety in palliative care. • Quality of life issues — honouring the individual, family, and rituals. • Common reactions and experiences as people approach death. • Physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual needs and appropriate interventions. • Comfort measures for: ◦ Pain ◦ Restlessness
2. 2. Week 2: 12 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 8 hrs asynchronous Structure and Function of the Human Body • Organization of the human body: cells, tissues, and organs. • Major body systems: ◦ Respiratory • Natural changes associated with aging Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). • Common disorders related to each body system (relevant examples in parenthesis): ◦ Respiratory (cyanosis, dyspnea, apnea, orthopnea, hyperventilation, hypoventilation, COPD, asthma, pneumonia). • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges. End-of-Life Care • Hospice and palliative care — philosophy and principles of care. • The journey of dying — understanding and coming to terms with death and dying. • Caring and problem-solving as related to palliative care in facilities and in community settings. • Legal and ethical practice and safety in palliative care. • Quality of life issues — honouring the individual, family, and rituals. • Common reactions and experiences as people approach death.• Physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual needs and appropriate interventions. • Comfort measures for: ◦ Breathing Challenges
3. 3. Week 3: 12 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 8 hrs asynchronous Structure and Function of the Human Body • Organization of the human body: cells, tissues, and organs. • Major body systems: ◦ Digestive ◦ Urinary • Natural changes associated with aging Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). • Common disorders related to each body system (relevant examples in parenthesis): Digestive (vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, lack of appetite, dehydration, constipation, obesity, hiatal hernia, diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease). ◦ Urinary (urinary tract infections, renal failure). • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges. End-of-Life Care • Hospice and palliative care — philosophy and principles of care. • The journey of dying — understanding and coming to terms with death and dying. • Caring and problem-solving as related to palliative care in facilities and in community settings. • Legal and ethical practice and safety in palliative care. • Quality of life issues — honouring the individual, family, and rituals.• Common reactions and experiences as people approach death. • Physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual needs and appropriate interventions. • Comfort measures for: ◦ Bowel Function Nutrition and Common Health Challenges • Special diets: ◦ Texture-modified diets ◦ Restricted diets ◦ Diabetic diet ◦ High protein diet ◦ Liquid and pureed diets ◦ Food allergies and intolerances • Diversity and nutrition: ◦ Vegetarian diets ◦ Belief-based diets ◦ Cultural differences • Community resources to support clients’ dietary intake.
4. 4. Week 4: 12 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 8 hrs asynchronous Structure and Function of the Human Body • Organization of the human body: cells, tissues, and organs. • Major body systems: ◦ Reproductive ◦ Endocrine • Natural changes associated with aging Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). ◦ Reproductive (benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), erectile dysfunction). ◦ Endocrine (diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism). • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges.
5. 5. Week 5: 12 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 8 hrs asynchronous Structure and Function of the Human Body • Organization of the human body: cells, tissues, and organs. • Major body systems: ◦ Nervous • Natural changes associated with aging Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). • Common disorders related to each body system (relevant examples in parenthesis): ◦ Neurological (CVA/stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, acquired brain injuries, spinal cord injuries). ◦ Sensory challenges: • Normal sensory changes of aging. • Speech and language challenges (aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria). • Hearing and visual challenges. • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges. End-of-Life Care • Hospice and palliative care — philosophy and principles of care. • The journey of dying — understanding and coming to terms with death and dying. • Caring and problem-solving as related to palliative care in facilities and in community settings • Legal and ethical practice and safety in palliative care. • Quality of life issues — honouring the individual, family, and rituals. • Common reactions and experiences as people approach death. • Physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual needs and appropriate interventions. • Comfort measures for: ◦ Delirium
6. 6. Week 6: 12 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 8 hrs asynchronous Structure and Function of the Human Body • Organization of the human body: cells, tissues, and organs. • Major body systems: ◦ Immune • Natural changes associated with aging Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). • Common disorders related to each body system (relevant examples in parenthesis): ◦ Common communicable diseases (including, but not limited to, MRSA, VRE, C. difficile infections, influenza, coronaviruses, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis). • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges.
7. 7. Week 7: 12 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 8 hrs asynchronous Structure and Function of the Human Body • Organization of the human body: cells, tissues, and organs. • Major body systems: ◦ Cardiovascular • Natural changes associated with aging Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). • Common disorders related to each body system (relevant examples in parenthesis): Cardiovascular (hypertension, hypotension, edema, coronary artery disease, blood clots, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure). • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges. End-of-Life Care • Hospice and palliative care — philosophy and principles of care. • The journey of dying — understanding and coming to terms with death and dying. • Caring and problem-solving as related to palliative care in facilities and in community settings. • Legal and ethical practice and safety in palliative care. • Quality of life issues — honouring the individual, family, and rituals. • Common reactions and experiences as people approach death.• Physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual needs and appropriate interventions. • Comfort measures for: ◦ Breathing Challenges
8. 8. Week 8: 4 hours - 2 hrs synchronous/ 2 hrs asynchronous Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). • Common disorders related to each body system (relevant examples in parenthesis): • Cancer • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges.
9. 9. Week 9: 10 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 6 hrs asynchronous Challenges to Health and Healing • The experience of illness and disability. • Common challenges to healing: ◦ Transitions ◦ Loss ◦ Pain ◦ Illness ◦ Death • Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in physical health can be expected to also affect psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health). • Common disorders related to each body system (relevant examples in parenthesis): • Neurodevelopmental disorders (Down syndrome, autism spectrum, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, fragile X syndrome, phenylketonuria (PKU)). • Chronic illness: ◦ Basic definition and concepts. ◦ Implications for care. ◦ Focus on self-care. ◦ Community and consumer resources related to various health challenges.
10. 10. Week 10: 10 hours - 4 hrs synchronous/ 6 hrs asynchronous End-of-Life Care • Common reactions of family members and ways to support the family. • The moment of death and care of the body after death. Common Health Challenges • Grief and grieving. • Self-care for the caregiver: ◦ Personal and professional boundaries. ◦ Recognizing the impact of loss on the caregiver. ◦ Recognizing signs of and preventing stress and burnout.
11. 11. Week 11: 5 hours - 2 hrs synchronous/ 3 hrs asynchronous Summative Assessment Q & A Summative Assessment