Overview
This unit aims to support and further develop your knowledge, competence and capability of supporting older adults at an enhanced level. Within this unit, you will explore the complexity of ageing, including the impact of wider determinants of health. You will gain understanding of assessment, investigations, legislation and professional guidance. Within this unit, you will use enhanced clinical assessment skills to recognise when an individual is living with frailty, contributing to a comprehensive geriatric assessment. You will gain skills in recognising multisystem conditions, and proactively mitigate individuals’ risk of deterioration. This unit also allows you to explore relevant interventions, sources of health promotion, to identify and recommend relevant treatment and personalised care.
Course Details
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the ageing process and the complexities of caring for older people living with frailty. Participants will develop an understanding of the key theories of ageing, including sociological, psychological, and physiological perspectives, and examine how these factors influence health, wellbeing, and care needs. The programme explores the complexity of frailty care, including risk assessment, identifying deterioration, and recognising the impact of multisystem conditions such as osteosarcopenia, osteoporosis, acute and chronic respiratory conditions, neurological conditions, and incontinence. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and its practical application to person-centred care. The course also highlights the importance of exercise and physical activity, nutrition and hydration, safeguarding, effective communication skills, health literacy, and patient activation, equipping practitioners with the knowledge and confidence to support older people in achieving better health outcomes and maintaining independence wherever possible.
This online unit is designed to develop independent learning and support the application of knowledge and skills within clinical practice. Learning activities include online sessions and peer discussions, alongside resources including readings, recorded content, and interactive learning activities. Synchronous online sessions provide opportunities to explore clinical scenarios, share knowledge, and learn from the experiences of peers working across diverse patient groups. Students are also expected to undertake self-directed study, reflection, and critical analysis of their practice. Reflective practice is a key component of the unit, encouraging learners to justify and evaluate their clinical decision-making in a range of healthcare situations.
As a unique Health Sciences University, HSU has developed a wide range of educational opportunities for health and care professionals. Provision at HSU is delivered by experts and clinicians that combine roles in both academia and practice.
What you will learn on the course
- Theories of ageing
- Sociological aspects ageing
- Psychological aspects ageing
- Physiological aspects of ageing
- Complexity in caring for a patient with Frailty
- Risk assessment
- Identifying deterioration
- Recognition of multisystem conditions (Osteosarcopenia, osteoporosis, acute and chronic respiratory conditions, neurological conditions, and incontinence) and impact.
- Deeper understanding of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and its application to practice
- Exercise and physical activity
- Nutrition and hydration
- Safeguarding
- Communication skills
- Health literacy
- Patient activation
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements: 
This unit is designed for healthcare professionals working in Acute, Urgent and Emergency Care settings working towards and enhanced level of practice.
Course Fees
Course Fee 2026/27
£925
