Pre-requisite Course(s)

COUN200 Theories & Systems in Counselling & Psychotherapy

Course Aims

This course prepares students to become advocates for developing positive, respectful and wellness-enhancing attitudes toward older persons. It also equips students with the knowledge base, skills and techniques to take part in helping professions for enhancing self-sufficiency of the elderly and their families. Major areas of study include: (a) Foundations of Gerontological Counselling; (b) Ethical and Legal Issues in Counselling Older Persons; (c) Facilitating the Adaptation in Physical Impairment and Mental Health Issues; (e) Techniques and Methods of Gerontological Counselling; (f) Special Population Situations and Issues, including concerns towards, Grief and Loss, Caregiving and Singlehood, etc.; and (g) Needs and Services of the Older Persons.

1. Describe the contemporary development of gerontological care as an evolving and

    multidisciplinary field with an appreciation of the importance of positive aging;

 

2. Identify professional ethics and legal issues related to the practice of gerontological

    counselling;

 

3. Apply appropriate intervention strategies and counselling skills for situational and

    developmental crises commonly experienced by older people and their families in

    Hong Kong;

 

4. Evaluate and apply current research findings related to counselling of older people in

    Hong Kong.