HLTH 3711: Healthy Aging: A Contemporary Perspective
This course provides a contemporary perspective of healthy aging in Canada. Changing population demographics highlight the importance of understanding successful and healthy aging in multiple dimensions such as personal health domains (e.g. physical, emotional, social, psychological, spiritual) and social determinant dimensions (e.g. biology, education, income, housing, social networks, work). The course will emphasize contemporary, 'health across the lifespan' aging as differentiated from the historical model of declining health and abilities.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of HLTH 3711, you will be able to:
- Recognize the demographic shift in the Canadian population
- Critically analyze healthy aging across personal health domains
- Explore the impact of social determinants of health on healthy aging
- Identify the changes and challenges associated with aging
Course topics
- Unit 1: Introduction and Theoretical Foundations
- Unit 2: Demographics
- Unit 3: Age-related Physiological Changes
- Unit 4: Health Status, Care, Promotion and Prevention
- Unit 5: Social Determinants of Health
- Unit 6: Changes and Challenges
- Unit 7: Myths and Realities
Required text and materials
Novak, M., Campbell, L., and Northcott, H.C. (2018). Aging and Society: A Canadian
Perspective, 8th Edition. Nelson Education.
ISBN: 9780176700010
Assessments
In order to successfully complete this course, students must obtain at least 50% on the mandatory final project and 50% overall.
| Assignment 1: Unit 1 Reflective Journal | 5% |
| Unit 2 Quiz: Demographics | 3% |
| Unit 3 Quiz: Physiological Changes | 5% |
| Assignment 2: Unit 4 Reflective Journal | 7% |
| Assignment 3: Health Promotion | 20% |
| Assignment 4: Interview / Wiki | 20% |
| Assignment 5: Unit 6 Reflective Journal | 10% |
| Final Project * | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
* Mandatory
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
