Academic Year of Degree:
2025/26
276 - Degree in Occupational Therapy
26025 - Geriatrics
Teaching Plan Information
Academic year:
2025/26
Subject:
26025 - Geriatrics
Faculty / School:
127 - Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud
Degree:
276 - Degree in Occupational Therapy
Ambit:
Physiotherapy, podiatry, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, optics and optometry and speech therapy
Tipo de enseñanza:
In person
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
4
Semester:
Annual
Subject type:
Compulsory
Module:
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1. General information
The subject 'Geriatrics' is part of the 4th year of the Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy.
The general objective of the Geriatrics subject is to acquire the theoretical and methodological knowledge that allows for a comprehensive assessment of older adults, understanding the physiological, cognitive, functional, and social changes involved in the aging process, to develop preventive measures and management based on the individual functional capacity of each patient, in an interdisciplinary manner at different care levels.
Current societies have a high percentage of aging, making it necessary to train in the knowledge and management of this process to provide quality care focused on the elderly. The inclusion of older people is essential to adopt a perspective aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In conclusion, the aim is to provide students with tools to develop an integrated geriatric assessment (IGA), identifying both health problems and strengths and resources of the elderly. This IGA will be fundamental to providing personalized and comprehensive care to older adults, improving their quality of life and promoting their well-being.
2. Learning results
The knowledge acquired will enable students to understand the basic principles of Geriatrics and its implications in Occupational Therapy, as well as the use of tools that will allow them to develop professionally in the field of elderly patient care at various care levels.
1. Can explain the concept, history, and objectives of Geriatrics from the perspective of Occupational Therapy.
2. Understand the biological, physiological, cognitive, and social processes of aging.
3. Solve practical cases of healthy, sick, frail, and geriatric elderly individuals.
4. Acquire competencies for working in interdisciplinary teams.
3. Syllabus
Theory:
Thematic Block I: Geriatric Foundations
1.1 Concepts and historical background of Geriatrics. Its implication in Occupational Therapy.
1.2 Social aspects of aging and retirement.
1.3 Theories of aging.
1.4 Systemic physiology of aging.
1.5 Senescence and sleep.
1.6 Ageism and abuse.
1.7 Physical activity in the elderly.
Thematic Block II: Geriatric Assessment
2.1 Health prevention. Loss of independence in the elderly.
2.2 Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.
Thematic Block III: Geriatrics and Occupational Therapy
3.1 Major Geriatric Syndromes I-II.
3.2 Pathology and rehabilitation. Cardiovascular.
3.3 Pathology and rehabilitation. Respiratory.
3.4 Orthogeriatrics.
3.5 Pathology and rehabilitation. Nephrourological.
3.6 Neurorehabilitation in Stroke.
3.7 Neurorehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease.
3.8 Nutrition, diet, and senescence.
Seminars:
• Aging process: Biological calculator.
• Geriatric assessment scales.
• Loneliness in the elderly, prevention, detection, and scales.
• Engineering and innovation in Geriatrics.
• Dysphagia in the elderly.
• Microbiota in aging.
4. Academic activities
Overall, the 6 ECTS credits of the subject are distributed as follows:
• Lectures (30 hours):
Exposition of the different course contents, aiming at acquiring competencies and learning outcomes, encouraging reflection and assimilation of the fundamental concepts of the subject.
• Seminars for problem-solving and case studies (30 hours):
Analysis and resolution of various practical cases, applying the theoretical foundations of the subject. A weekly seminar will be conducted depending on group distribution. Attendance is mandatory, with only one justified absence allowed.
• Personal study and autonomous work (84 hours):
•Tutoring: Mainly aimed at providing guidance and preparation for assigned tasks or resolving questions regarding theoretical foundations.
•Evaluation tests (6 hours).
Specific Breakdown:
• Theoretical classes will cover the previously described topics, each lasting 50 minutes per module throughout the year.
• In-person seminars divided into two groups to facilitate communication between students and professors. During the seminars, tasks will be carried out that are included in the final evaluation:
- 1 individual task on an older adult, performing an occupational therapy report and aging assessment using a biological calculator.
- 1 group task (3-5 students): Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment of a real patient using all the assessment tools explained during the course and recommendations from Occupational Therapy.
• Tutoring.
5. Assessment system
Continuous evaluation is based on:
- Attendance and active participation in classes and seminars (5% of the final grade):
assessed through attendance and active participation in classes and seminars
- Tasks (25% of the final grade):
• One individual task on a patient to analyze the understanding of factors influencing aging, applying an assessment with the biological calculator. The task evaluates technical terminology, writing style, and the ability to recognize preventive measures for healthy aging. These will be submitted via Moodle. This task represents 50% of the total grade for tasks.
• The second task will be group-based. It evaluates teamwork skills, performing a comprehensive geriatric assessment of a patient, using geriatric scales and assessments explained throughout the course, and writing a complete report. It also includes preventive, adaptive, and facilitating measures based on the patient's independence level. This represents 50% of the task grade.
Theoretical evaluation:
- Written exams (70% of the final grade):
• Two eliminatory partial exams, scheduled based on the content covered at the end of each theoretical module. The score of these exams can be compensated starting from 4.5 (inclusive):
• 1st Official Call: Includes content from the material not passed in partial exams. Students wishing to improve their grade must notify the professor at least one week in advance.
• 2nd Official Call: Includes content from the material not passed in partial exams. Students wishing to improve their grade must notify the professor at least one week in advance.
Exams consist of 20 multiple-choice questions, each with three possible answers, to be completed in 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The random answer correction formula applies:
(Acorrect –(Aerror / number of alternatives – 1) / (total questions) * 10
In other words, each correct answer = 0.5 points, each incorrect answer = -0.25 points.
Final Grade:
• 5% from attendance and active participation in classes and seminars
• 25% from tasks (1 individual 50%, 1 group 50%)
• 70% from two exams (1st partial 35%, 2nd partial 35%)
• In case a student only attends the final exam without attending classes or completing tasks, a global test will be given. Grades will not be kept for future enrollments.
Grading Scale:
• 0-4.9: Fail (F)
• 5-6.9: Pass (P)
• 7-8.9: Good (G)
• 9-10: Excellent (E)
• Honors: Students who achieve a 9.7 average in both exams and tasks, with outstanding participation and/or attendance in class and demonstrated special interest in geriatrics.
6. Sustainable Development Goals
3 - Good Health and Well-being
4 - Quality Education