Neuropsychology & Older Adults (P02094)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 12 ? Acronym : HEA-P-N&OA

The Older Adults Module:
The aims of the older adults teaching module is to provide trainees with a comprehensive overview of the dynamic nature of psychological work with older adults across a range of settings and to afford opportunities to promote positive values towards older people. Providing trainees with the knowledge to work with older adults can promote the development of additional transferable skills by considering the similarities and differences between working with older adults as compared to other client groups.

The Neuropsychology Module:
The Neuropsychology component of this module complements the preceding teaching on the psychology of Older Adults, a population in whom neuropsyhological difficulties are more common. In addition to providing information on common neurological conditions in the elderly such as dementia, stroke and Parkinson’s Disease it also covers neurological impairments which impact across age ranges such as acquired brain injury, epilepsy and Multiple Sclerosis. Teaching on brain anatomy provides the basis for an understanding of the mechanisms of such impairments which is then complemented by an understanding of their clinical manifestations and their impact on individuals and their carers complemented by relevant case examples. Practical training is then provided on the clinical assessment and rehabilitation of these disorders.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Compulsory 2nd year core course for D.Clin.Psychol.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Clinical Psychology, (School of Health in Social Science, Schedule D)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 35 hour(s) per week for 6 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Neuropsychology ILO's:

By the end of the module, trainees ought to be able to demonstrate:

- Understanding of the anatomical structure of the human brain, and how it functions to affect perception, thought, emotion, language, and behaviour.

- Knowledge of the common mechanisms of neurological impairment, their consequences, assessment and rehabilitation including medico-legal issues.

- The ability to recognise neuropsychological symptoms and assess core areas of concern, such as memory, language, executive dysfunction and perception by selecting appropriate tests, justifying their use and interpreting results with reference to information about the patient's clinical history.

- Competence in the communication of results (case formulation and report writing) from assessment procedures and the ability to author reports to an acceptable professional standard.

- An understanding of the ethical challenges of working with potentially vulnerable groups particularly with regard to issues of consent to treatment.