OVERVIEW

The aim of the course is  to provide the basic knowledge for the acquisition of knowledge and abilities to perform an efficacious approach to elderly subjects with positive aging and with frailty and disability associated with normal and pathological aging.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of:

• biological processes of aging with particular attention to the boundary between normal and pathological aging
• geriatric epidemiology and geriatric syndromes
• introduction to the description of the diseases most frequently encountered in the elderly and of the preventative, therapeutic, rehabilitative and care strategies
• the concepts of frailty and disability associated with normal and pathological aging
• introduction to the concepts of comorbidity of elderly patients
• introduction to the multidimensional approach to the elderly patient

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and role playing.

In case of certification of specific learning disability, disability or other special educational needs, please contact both the Department contact person, Prof. Nicola Girtler, and the lecturer at the beginning of the lectures to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance of the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory/dispensatory tools recognized by the University SLD Student Service.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Aging: Definitions and theories
• Geriatric epidemiology
• Cognitive changes associated with aging
• Effects of aging on memory
• Dementia and delirium
• Cognitive reserve
• Effects of aging on emotions and motivation
• Social changes associated with aging. The environment
• Frailty in elderly people
• Hospitalization of the elderly
• Successful aging
• Effects of physical and mental exercise on subjective well-being
• Principles of care

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides provided during the course.

Read a book from this list:

• Lorenzo Marone, La tentazione di essere felici
• Ernest Hemingway, Il vecchio e il mare
• Italo Svevo, Senilità
• Luìs Sepulveda, Il vecchio che leggeva romanzi d’amore
• Marco Malvaldi, La briscola in cinque

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CATERINA ANSUINI (President)

VITTORIA FERRANDO (President)

MATTEO FORMICA (President)

ALBERTO IZZOTTI (President)

LUIGI MOLFETTA (President)

EMANUELE QUARTO (President)

CARLO TROMPETTO (President)

ANDREA ZANIRATO (President)

AMBRA BISIO (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester

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EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Knowledge of basic elements and principles of psychological aging.