The University of Malta’s European Centre for Gerontology is considered to be one of the leading centres for the study of ageing worldwide. Its teaching and research have made an invaluable contribution to our understanding of older persons, later life and ageing. The Centre brings together academic experts from a wide range of disciplines, with students being graduates of a variety of professions including medicine and allied health professions, as well as the social sciences. Graduates pursue different careers, many working in consultant and specialist positions in geriatric medicine, as well as holding policy and social science appointments.
For the past two decades the European Centre for Gerontology has been offering sterling graduate studies in the fields of gerontology and geriatrics, first in the form of a PostGraduate Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics, and currently, a Masters Degree and Doctorate in the same subjects. In October the European Centre for Gerontology and Geriatrics will be offerring a three-year part-time evening course leading to a Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics.
The Higher Diploma is a logical, perhaps essential response to the demographic trends currently being faced all over the five continents, including Malta: both the ageing of the population and the growth in life expectancy. According to the latest Maltese Census (2011), 16.3% or 67,841 persons, of the local population were aged 65 years and over. Persons aged 80 years and over numbered 14,381 – 3.4% of Malta’s total population. This study reviews past, ongoing, and future demographic shifts which transformed Malta into an “ageing population”, while also discussing emergent key challenges for ageing policy as the direct result of such a transition.
The Higher Diploma programme in Gerontology and Geriatrics caters for students who have completed their higher education and are looking to expand their knowledge of gerontology and geriatrics through a recognised university programme. It targets persons already working with older persons and in the field of ageing, those who wish to work with older persons, and others who wish to commence their studies in the field of gerontology and geriatrics.
This programme of study provides a broadly based, multi-disciplinary perspective on ageing, later life and older persons, while also disseminating knowledge and skills related to clinical and practical interventions with older persons. It also sensitises the students to the application of gerontological and geriatric research findings to practice.
The programme includes modules on the sociology of ageing, the psychology of later life, medical and biological aspects of ageing, income security and pension systems in old age, food and nutritional requirement of older persons, social and medical rehabilitation programmes, family dynamics in later life, and informal, community, and nursing services to older persons.
Upon completion of the Higher Diploma, successful graduates will be able to provide higher levels of social and health care services to older persons which, in turn, will function to improve the quality of service to older adults. In particular, candidates will be able to meet the needs of prospective employers by being knowledgeable in embracing the roles of financial planning for older persons, engaging in case work, providing intake services and assisting in personal adjustment measures in residential/nursing care, take an active role in hospital discharges, assisting in the organisation and administration of social and related services in community care, participating in studies of age-friendly communities and aiding family networking in later life.
The Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics will be offerred on a part-time basis over six semesters (three years). Lectures will take place twice a week in the evening.
More information can be found at http://www.um.edu.mt/eurgeront/programme/UHDGEGPT E-2013-4-O and/or by contacting Charmaine Cremona on 2340 2237, email: [email protected]