Gerontology - Multidiscipline - 037

Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Online
gerontology worker with a patient
Overview

Explore the complexities of aging through the Gerontology program at Mohawk College!

Discover employment opportunities by specializing in various areas related to Gerontology and care of the elderly.

Designed for those with a diploma or degree in Health Sciences or Human Services, this Graduate Certificate program focuses on gaining a greater understanding of gerontology, including the needs of the elderly, challenges faced by our aging population and the broad range of services and interdisciplinary teams available to support seniors.

Through a combination of both theory and field placements you will gain an understanding of the biological, physiological, social and spiritual aspects of Gerontology.

You do not need to apply to begin this program, simply ensure you meet the admission requirements (listed on the Admission & Registration tab) and then you may register for any available courses.

Program Contact
Continuing Education Health and Nursing
1-844-767-6871
cehealth@mohawkcollege.ca
  • Diploma or degree in Health Sciences or Human Services (e.g. RN, RPN with Diploma, Recreation, Social Work, etc.)

You do not need to apply to begin this program. Start by ensuring you meet the admission requirements listed above and then register for the courses listed in the Program of Studies when they are offered.  Some courses have prerequisites, so please check the Program of Studies for details. Find out how to register for a course.

The program of studies displayed below applies to students starting the program in the current academic year. Students who began in other academic years may require different courses to be eligible to graduate. If you have questions regarding a strategy for completion contact Continuing Education - Health and Nursing . 

Click on the Course number or Course title for more information on each course.

Visit the Mohawk College Bookstore Textbook Search (opens in new window) for information on textbooks.

A selection of courses are available each term. Courses that are currently not available (N/A) for registration may be offered in the future – check back frequently.

Mandatory Courses

Register Course number Course title Course Hours
Course description: This course will allow a student to pursue a particular topic in depth through independent research and/or extensive reading. The program manager/faculty member must approve a student's project.
Prerequisites: HSCI10222 and HSCI10228 and HSCI10229 and HSCI10230 and HSCI10231
Course description: This course provides an overview of the normal aging processes including the physical, cognitive, sensory, communication and psychological needs of older adults. Common pathological problems along with specialized needs in aging are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on developmental disabilities and Alzheimer's Disease. Knowledge of community resources and understanding the role of the service provider in promoting health and well-being among older adults is discussed.
Course description: The physiology of human growth, development and aging is examined with special reference to the influence of diet, environment, exercise and disease on the normal processes. This course offers students the opportunity to explore, in depth, selected topics of interest and relevance to the physiology of aging. The topics may include among others: physiological systems, nutrition, adaptation, sexuality, menopause, arthritis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease, etc.
Course description: Provides further development of skills of Assessment and Program Planning for the aging adult. Topics include interviewing skills, communication with aging adults and those with special needs, losses that occur with lifestyle changes, observations skills, recording and introduction to planning, intervention and evaluation.
Course description: What processes and supports change as adults age? How to maximize functioning with age related changes. The course deals with psychological processes such as memory, perception and intelligence. The social aspects discussed would include relationships and community involvement.
Course description: Explore current ethical issues in community based services and long term care institutions such as euthanasia, living wills, ageism, use of restraints, and competence in decision making. Discussions on legal issues focus on advocacy substitute decision making, power of attorney, guardianship and residents rights. Theory will be applied to case studies.
Course description: Field experience in a community based Gerontology program provides you with the opportunity to learn through experience; and receive the guidance, knowledge and skills of experienced personnel working in Gerontology. This 30 hour experience will enable you to integrate the theoretical components of the Gerontology courses with the practical application. Dates, times and clinical site must be arranged with the Program Manager.
Prerequisites: HMNSGER60
Course description: Field experience in an Institution based Gerontology program provides you with the opportunity to learn through experience; and receive guidance, knowledge and skills of experienced personnel working in Gerontology. This 30 hour experience will enable you to integrate the theoretical components of the Gerontology courses with the practical application. Dates, times and clinical site must be arranged with the Program Manager.
Prerequisites: HMNSGER60

Select 1 from the next 3 courses

Register Course number Course title Course Hours
Course description: Focus on bringing the person back to personal care. Participants will learn to develop specialized non-verbal communication techniques, facilitate enhancement of workplace interpersonal skills and bridge communication between professional and family caregivers.
Course description: Focus on the philosophy of care, specifically holistic care within a medical model. Diagnosis, appropriate physical and emotional environments, effects of dementia on the client and caregiver, research on caregiving, and the importance of ongoing education for caregivers.
Course description: This course allows participants to explore a variety of dementia care skills including creating meaningful programs and activities, therapeutic caregiving strategies, needs communication messaging models (NCM), life stories, and compassionate communication.

Select 1 from the next 2 courses

Register Course number Course title Course Hours
Course description: This course is designed to enable students to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of restorative care in a long-term setting, including its design, implementaton and evaluation. The class will examine approaches to aid in the development, implementation and/or supervision of a restorative care programme in a long term care facility. Topics will include physical restorative care and normalization activities.
Course description: Hospice palliative care is aimed at relieving suffering and improving the quality of life for persons who are living with, or dying from, advanced illness or are bereaved. Palliative care is a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a life-limiting illness that is usually at an advanced stage. The goal of palliative care is to provide comfort and dignity for the person living with the illness as well as the best quality of life for both this person and his or her family. A family is whoever the person says his or her family is. This course is intended for health care professionals, the curriculum is based on standards of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association and the Canadian Nurses Association.
Credits: 3

The list of scheduled course offerings for this program is below. Please note that all offerings are subject to change. Not every course is offered every semester, so please consider this schedule when planning your academic path.
 

Course Code Course Name Fall 2020
(Sep to Dec)
HSCI10222 Gerontology  
HSCI10228 Physiology of Aging  
HSCI10229 Assessment and Planning  
HSCI10230 Mental Health Aspects of Aging  
HSCI10231

Legal and Ethical Issues Related to Aging

  
HMNSGER60 Individual Study  
WORKGER71 Community-Based Field Experience  
WORKGER81 Institutional-Based Field Experience  
COMM10335 Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Dementia Care OntarioLearn
COMM10336 Exploring Dementia Care OntarioLearn
HSCI10223 Creating a Dementia Care Skill Kit  
HSCI10212 Restorative Care in a Long Term Care Setting  
HSCIHZA69 Palliative Care-Introduction  
Getting Started

Visit CE Get Started, your go-to online resource for getting started. You’ll find information on online tools and the wide range of student services available to you to support your success as a Mohawk College student and to help you achieve your future goals!

Login to MyMohawk
MyMohawk is the college portal used to access your student account information, email, grades and more. Your username and password can be found on the Continuing Education Acknowledgement of Registration & Student Account form that was sent to you after you registered for your course. Visit the Getting Started - MyMohawk Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Access Mohawk Email
On the MyMohawk Home screen you will see a link to Mohawk email. Visit the Getting Started – Mohawk Email Guide to learn how to set up your account on your devices.

Access OntarioLearn
Visit www.ontariolearn.com to access your course. Visit the OntarioLearn Course page for step-by-step instructions. Please note your course will not appear in OntarioLearn until the scheduled start date.

Find your Textbook
Use the Mohawk College Textbook Search to find your course materials.

Explore Contacts and Services

Online learning courses provide you with the opportunity to learn online, anywhere, at your convenience!  You can study at home or at work - wherever you like, whenever you like, within a predetermined time frame.

Courses are delivered over a set time period and are led by instructors. Most courses do not require that you be online at a certain time of day or night, but that you are active in the course during the schedule. There are scheduled start and end dates and you cannot start courses late nor finish early.

Visit the OntarioLearn Course page to discover how to get started on OntarioLearn. Please note your course will not appear in OntarioLearn until the scheduled start date.

Visit Exams for Online Courses for everything you need to know about booking and writing your online learning exam.

Placement Information

Students preparing for Placement should visit our Preclinical / Clinical webpage  and our Clinical FAQ for details and information on the process.

Continuing Education FAQ
Clinical and Lab Information for CE Health and Nursing Students
How do I apply to graduate?

Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of the Gerontology Multidiscipline Certificate Program will enable the graduate to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the aging process and how aging persons are perceived
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Canadian Social Policies and Stereotypes
  • Understand the theories of aging
  • Understand the process of communication and strategies for effective communications
  • Understand the spiritual aspects of aging including loss, grief, and bereavement
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the myths related to aging
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of personality development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of self-perception and self concept
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Health Care in Canada and health promotion retirement
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the mental health, social and cognitive aspects of aging
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the neurological and cognitive changes associated with aging
  • Demonstrate knowledge of mental health promotion and suicide prevention
  • Demonstrate knowledge of cognitive challenges, competency, capacity and consent, elder abuse and neglect
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Powers of Attorney and Wills, ethical challenges, euthanasia and end of life care
  • Understand the principles of research and what is involved in completing a research paper (for program 037)
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the theory courses in a gerontology setting

Career Opportunities

Potential for specialization in several areas of Gerontology including community settings and institutional settings.

Credit for Prior Learning

You may qualify for credit for skills and knowledge you may have acquired in other courses or in your work experience. If interested in pursuing credit for prior learning, please contact the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition office.


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