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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Living Longer
Module Code HEA1001
Faculty Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health School Science & Health
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

The purpose of this module is to explore the concept of growing older from a social, economic,health and social care perspective and to gain an understanding of what that means in contemporary society.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss ageing demography in Ireland and identify the factors which contribute to population ageing
2. Identify and discuss theories of ageing
3. Explore the impact of growing older in contemporary society from a social, economic, health or social care perspective
4. Explore the concept of ageism and the impact it has across all age groups
5. Discuss the impact of ageing research on national and international policy


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture24No Description
Fieldwork11Individual presentation following visit to age friendly initiative
Assignment Completion15Interactive Oral
Independent Study75No Description
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN20510Part of TermSemester 2
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorNiamh MerrimanModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentContinuous assessment includes an individual digital presentation (50%) and an interactive oral (50%).100%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Demography of ageing

Critical debates on independence and dependence in later life

Perspectives on positive ageing

Theories of ageing

Ageism and its impact on society

Quality of life in later life

Societal responses to health and social care needs in older people

National and International policy developments related to ageing

Researching older adults

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Ayalon L, Tesch-Römer C.: 2018, Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism, Springer, 564, 9783319738208
  • Bernoth, M., Winkler, D.: 2016, Healthy Ageing and Aged Care, Open University Press, Oxford, UK, 9780195597585
  • Dannefer, D., Phillipson, C. (Eds): 2010, The Sage handbook of social gerontology, Sage, London,
  • Dudley L. Poston Jr.: 2019, Handbook of Population, Springer, 914, 9783030109103
  • Grenier A: 2012, Transitions and the lifecourse: challenging the constructions of 'growing old', Policy Press, Bristol,
  • Gullette M: 2017, Ending Ageism, Or How Not to Shoot Old People, Global Perspectives on Aging, 265, 0813589282
  • Harper S., Hamblin K.: 2016, International Handbook on Ageing and Public Policy, 2, Edward Elgar Publishing, UK, 97817834742
  • Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative: 2016, Positive Ageing 2016: National Indicators Report, Department of Health, Dublin,
  • Kenny RA: 2022, Age Proof, Lagom, London, 304, 9781788705059
  • Komp K. & Johansson S. (eds.): 2015, Population ageing from a lifecourse perspective: Critical and international approaches., 1st Ed, Policy press, University of Bristol.,
  • Levy B: 2022, Breaking the Age Code, 1st, Vermilion, UK, 978178504355
  • Pachana N: 2017, Ageing: a very short introduction, 1, Open University Press, Maidenhead,
  • Phillipson C, Koppel I (Editor): 2013, Ageing, Polity Pr, Cambridge, 192, 9780745630854
  • Rahman S.: 2019, Living with Frailty: From assets and deficits to resilience, 1, Routledge, UK, 9781138301
  • Ramirez-Valles J.: 2016, Queer Aging, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 9780190276348
  • Scott A.: 2024, The Longevity Imperative, John Murray Press, 9781399801058
  • Stephens C, Breheny M: 2018, Healthy Ageing: A Capability Approach to Inclusive Practice and Policy, 1, Routledge, UK,
  • Walsh K, Scharf T,Van Regenmortel S,Wanka A: 2021, Social Exclusion in Later Life, Springer Nature, 450, 9783030514068
  • World Health Organization: 2016, Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health 2016-2020, World Health Organization, Geneva,
  • Zaidi A, Harper, S., Howse, K., Lamura, G., Perek-Bialas J.: 2018, Building Evidence for Active Ageing Policies: Active Ageing Index and its Potential, 1, Palgrave MacMillan, UK,


Articles:
  • Department of Health: 2013, The National Positive Ageing Strategy, http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/National_Positive_Ageing_Strategy_English.pdf, 512443
  • 2019: Housing Options for our Ageing Population, https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/housingoptionsforanageingpopulationeng_web.pdf, 512444, 1
  • Population ageing and public finances in Ireland: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/daf61-minister-mcgrath-publishes-reports-on-population-ageing-and-the-public-finances-in-ireland/, 512445, 1, LLOYD-SHERLOCK, P., MCKEE, M., EBRAHIM, S., GORMAN, M., GREENGROSS, S., GUTMAN, G., KIRKWOOD, T., O'NEILL, D., FERRUCCI, L., KRITCHEVSKY, S. & VELLAS, B.
  • Lancet: 379, 1295-1296, 512446, 1, SAPEA, 2019
  • https://www.ria.ie/sites/default/files/sapea_report_4.pdf: 512447, 1, TURNER N. DONOGHUE O. & KENNY, R. A. (eds.), 2016, Wellbeing and Health in Ireland's over 50s 2009-2016, Dublin The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing,
  • 512448: 1, United Nations, 2023, World Population Ageing Report 2023,
Other Resources

  • 1: Website, Global Alliance International Longevity Centre,
  • 410284: 1, Website, National Institute on Ageing (USA),
  • http://www.nia.nih.gov/: 410285, 1, Website, The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
  • https://tilda.tcd.ie/: 410286, 1, Website, United Nations, Decade on Healthy Ageing Platform
  • https://www.decadeofhealthyageing.org/: 410287, 1, Website, Wheeler Institute, How do we change the way we age: The Longevity Imperative by Andrew Scott
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm49ra8z7b8: 410288, 1, Website, World Health Organization campaign to combat ageism
  • https://www.who.int/ageing/ageism/campaign/en/: 410289, 1, Website, World Health Organization Ageing and Health
  • https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health: 410290, 1, Website, World Health Organization, 2021, Global Report on Ageism
  • WHO: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/03/9789240016866-eng.pdf,

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