Socio-Cultural Work with Seniors and EldersLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

The students knows the structure of aging and senior and elderly work from the sociocultural viewpoint and understands the connection between various information bases with the aging cultures of service and operating environments. The student recognises the resources of the life of elderly people and exploit them in customer work. The student knows the turning points of the life of the elderly and the possibilities of the service system to support the elderly. The student understands the theoretical basics of work forms and methods in elderly work and can apply them in the professional practice of sociocultural senior and elderly work.

Content

Sociocultural idea of the elderly and ethics in senior and elderly work.
Significance of home and living environment.
Social relations and communality in ageing.
Life span awareness and empowerment focus.
Turning points of life and related support needs.
Bachelor of Social Services in the environments of senior and elderly work.
Focus on empowerment in methods of senior and elderly work.
Guiding an aged group.
Community and network oriented work.
Therapeutic environment.
Use of writing and literature as work methods.
Biographical and narrative methods.
Reminicing/cognitive work

Qualifications

The student understands human life span from the psychological and sociological point of view. S/he is able to observe an individual as a part of social network and society. In addition, s/he understands the significance of different phases of life for the psycho-physical and social development and for building resources. The student knows multidisciplinary theories of ageing and is aware of his/her own approach to the subject.
The student knows the multidisciplinary approach of social field on the levels of individuals, communities and society.
S/he knows the basic values and concepts of the client work in social field, and is able to structure different operational models and methods of client work in social field.
S/he understands the role of dialogic interaction in client work in social field.
S/he is able to evaluate his/her values related to client work.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Active participation in individual and group work, implementation of guidance plans and self assessment, mastering and analyzing the field.
Active participation in contact lessons and project work, written and functional assignments and exercises. Mastering the field in a book exam. Presentation of a group project work and assessment of the report. Implementation of guidance plans and self assessment.
Numeric assesment
(1-2) The student has basic knowledge and basic skills in using information, communications and using basic methods in socio-gerontological client work.
(3) The student has a holistic, multi-disciplinary information based view on socio-cultural work with seniors and aged, and its role in different service and activity environments of aged people. S/he assesses the paradigms behind the work with the aged and the operational models which are appropriate with the work, working society and the field.
(4-5) The student has developing skills and a critical understanding in the field of socio-cultural work and services with elderly and aged. S/he can develope methods ja new approaches and test them in working process and service-systems in a client-oriented way.