Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Designed to identify and examine basic principles and concepts of the aging process; including the physical, social, emotional, and mental components of health. Benefits of health promotion programs and preventive actions for the aging are also explored. (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Distinguish the various social, medical, and economic programs and policies that assist older adults in U.S. society.
  • CSLO #2: Analyze the health status and aging process of populations in the U.S. by race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation and discuss the role of health determinants.
  • CSLO #3: Formulate a plan that would promote healthy aging incorporating new data and guidelines on risk factors, nutrition, preventive measures an intervention presented in the course.
  • CSLO #4: Discuss mental health issues in aging populations and the preventative and therapeutic options.
  • CSLO #5: Identify and discuss factors that impact the various theories on social aging.
  • CSLO #6: Evaluate research findings that differentiate "normal" aging from actual pathology.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Compare and contrast the cost of living in several different types of senior facilities.
2. Explain the role of culture and society in how the elderly are viewed and taken care of during the latter stages of life.
3. Chart the appropriate health screenings after age 35 as they correlate to gender, age and disease prevention.
4. Discuss the lifestyle factors that enable aging Americans to live a fulfilling life related to their physical, social, emotional, mental and sexual health.
5. Discuss the specific nutrition and exercise program guidelines for aging Americans with consideration for potential challenges to mobility or arthritis.
6. Define Alzheimer's disease and explain the hardships of this disease on the lead caretaker.
7. Compare and contrast the issues that men and women have during midlife when there is a reduction or change of hormones.
8. Outline the various symptoms, tests, treatments, and necessary behavior changes that are associated with major diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
9. Summarize the issues regarding abuse of prescription medicines and the role of the physician.
10. Outline effects that grief has on a person's health and how to mitigate the effects.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Health Ed/Physical Ed
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - E1 Lifelong Learning and Self-Development
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

      Articulation Information

      • CSU Transferable
      • UC Transferable

      Methods of Evaluation

      • Essay Examinations
        • Example: Students will submit an essay choosing to compare and contrast normal aging to pathology in 2 of the following components of aging; Cognitive, Physical, emotional, Function, or Social
      • Objective Examinations
        • Example: Students will be given an exam that evaluates their knowledge on the leading causes of death in the U.S. and the factors that contribute to the development. Sample question: List four behavioral factors that increase your risk of developing heart disease.
      • Projects
        • Example: Students will submit a chart that represents the appropriate health screenings as it correlates to gender, age (35-75) and disease prevention. Along with the chart the student will compose a paper that addresses some of the barriers that prevent people from participating in these life saving tests. The second part of the paper will formulate ideas on how to problem solve some of the access or apprehension issues that are associated with the various medical tests.

      Repeatable

      No

      Methods of Instruction

      • Lecture/Discussion
      • Distance Learning

      Lecture:

      1. Instructor will lecture on an action plan that a 35 year old female should employ when she discovers breast and ovarian cancer and diabetes in her immediate family tree. Students will then create an action plan.
      2. Following an instructor lecture on memory and cognitive function, students will research games to improve memory and cognitive function in seniors. Students will then work in small groups sharing the games and participating.

      Distance Learning

      1. Following an online lecture on nutritional plans, students will complete a nutritional plan giving recommendations for a senior using an approved online program.

      Typical Out of Class Assignments

      Reading Assignments

      1. Read two different articles that emphasize health issues for seniors from newspapers, magazines or journals and compare the main points of the articles and be prepared to discuss in class. 2. Read about the side effects of three different medications for the same health issue that are prescribed for aging Americans. Rank the medicines from best to worst by their side effects and be prepared to discuss in class.

      Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

      1. Present five interview questions for a fifty year old woman that is trying to improve her strength, lose weight and deter osteoporosis. She belongs to a health club. Her physician is asking her to strength train 60 minutes a week and do something cardiovascular most days of the week for thirty minutes. Construct the program after interviewing her using that specific information. Keep in mind gender, age and physician's request. 2. Write a three page paper on a disease that has affected someone in your family that is over the age of 50. In the paper discuss the disease in terms of prevention, symptoms/detection, tests, treatment and future outlook for your family member.

      Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

      Research 2 different types of retirement homes they can include in home care, adulty day care or long term residential care. Then write a report describing and comparing the costs, daily living, activities, food, social support, medical support, and overall ratings from clients.

      Required Materials

      • Health Promotion and Aging
        • Author: David Haber
        • Publisher: Springer Publishing
        • Publication Date: 2019
        • Text Edition: 8th
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Annual Editions: Aging
        • Author: Elaina Osterbur
        • Publisher: McGraw Hill
        • Publication Date: 2019
        • Text Edition:
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Aging & the Life Course: An introduction to social and Gerontology
        • Author: Jill Quadango
        • Publisher: McGraw-Hill
        • Publication Date: 2022
        • Text Edition: 8th
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Introduction to Aging
        • Author: Judith A. Sugar
        • Publisher: Springhill
        • Publication Date: 2019
        • Text Edition: 2nd
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:

      Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.