Geriatrics and Gerontology

Program Presentation

The evolution of populations throughout the world is bringing with it, both in absolute and relative terms, a notable increase in the number of people over sixty-five years of age. One of the demographic features of today's world is the progressive aging of the world's population. This phenomenon represents a challenge for society and a need for professionals to specialize in offering quality service to the elderly.

The Specialization Course in Applied Health Gerontology aims to educate professionals with advanced training in the different processes of aging and diseases and enable them to work with the elderly in the field of health interventions, thus contributing toward improving the quality of life of sick and dependent elderly people.

Who is the programme for?

The proposed methodology, together with the clarity, comprehensiveness, and didactic design of the contents, allows the Specialization in Applied Health Gerontology program to be aimed at:

Professionals with degrees in Psychology, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Sociology, Physiotherapy, Kinesiology, Sociocultural Animators, Economics, and Law.
Other interested university graduates/graduates.
Professionals without a university degree with experience and interest in the field of gerontology.

The Specialization in Applied Health Gerontology program will be an ideal complement toward enriching any undergraduate or graduate education for someone interested in specializing in gerontological issues.

Diploma

Successful completion of the Program will grant the degree of Specialization in APPLIED HEALTH GERONTOLOGY, issued by the University where the student is enrolled.

Program Structure

The credit structure of the Geriatrics and Gerontology program is shown in the following table. It should be noted that the duration is merely indicative, as the methodology followed integrates the knowledge and skills to be acquired in each part through integrative exercises of knowledge acquisition and internalization of project practices:

	CREDITS^a
Subjects	46
Final Course Work	10
TOTAL	56

a. The equivalence in credits may vary according to the university where he/she has enrolled. One (1) ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credit is equivalent to 10 + 15 hours. If the student is enrolled in a university that does not belong to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the relation between credits - hours may vary.

Duration

La Geriatrics and Gerontology tiene 56 créditos. La duración de la Geriatrics and Gerontology es de Varies depending on the student's dedication. En este período de tiempo, el alumno tiene que haber superado con éxito todas las actividades evaluadas y aprobado el Proyecto Final.

Objectives

General objectives

Understand and analyze information on issues related to the gerontological health field.
Develop programs at the different levels of care with sick and potentially dependent elderly people.
Understand and apply the bioethical principles related to the care of the elderly.
Design and promote research aimed at solving problems related to the health of the elderly.
Provide knowledge for the evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention in the aging process as well as to obtain the necessary tools to offer a better quality of life.

Specific Objectives

Identify knowledge and theories related to pathological aging processes.
Differentiate the techniques of evaluation, diagnosis and intervention in the areas of physical, psychological and social health of the elderly.
Evaluate the principles, phases and specific criteria for intervention with healthy and sick elderly people.
Identify the different geriatric syndromes, including dementias, through a comprehensive assessment and intervention approach.
Create strategic plans applied in the context of health indicated by the interdisciplinary team.
Design research and interventions aimed at solving problems with the health of the elderly.

Career Opportunities

Some of the professional opportunities of the Program in Applied Health Gerontology are the following:

Professionals who wish to specialize in older adult issues.
Professionals who act as advisors or consultants in economic, architectural or legal management of senior centers.
Community social services personnel.
Clinical evaluator of aging processes.
Workers in residential centers at different levels.
Collaborators of associations for the elderly (Alzheimer's, etc.)
Teacher for senior citizen classrooms.
Collaborators in NGOs for the elderly.

Study Plan

The Applied Health Gerontology program has a curricular structure based on 2 formative parts that seek to place the student in a real framework according to a continuous change.

1^st PART: INTRODUCTORY (46 CREDITS)

The first part allows to know and understand all the complexity related to the field of Gerontology, from its theoretical, conceptual and historical foundations, to its organizational, social and technological implementation.

The objective of the compulsory modules is for students to acquire an overall idea of Gerontology and be able to master basic techniques in aging processes and to master techniques and tools for evaluation, diagnosis and intervention in applied health gerontology.

The subjects and corresponding credits that make up the 1^st: Subjects are shown in the following table:

1^st PART: INTRODUCTORY
	SUBJECTS	CREDITS
1	Introduction to Gerontology	4
2	Biopsychosocial Aspects of Aging	6
3	Planning and Organization of Social Services for the Elderly	5
4	Intervention Programs for Elderly People	5
5	Geriatric Nursing, Physiotherapy,and Occupational Therapy	5
6	Research Methods	6
7	Geriatrics. Major Geriatric Syndromes and Dementias	6
8	Legal Aspects and Bioethics of the Elderly	4
9	Communication Skills of the Gerontology Professional	5
TOTAL		46

2^nd PART: FINAL COURSE WORK OR PROJECT (10 Credits)

2^nd PART: FINAL COURSE WORK OR PROJECT
	SUBJECTS	CREDITS
1	FINAL COURSE WORK OR PROJECT	10
TOTAL		10

The last Phase of the program is dedicated to the completion of the Final Course Work, which can be started before the end of the 1^st Part: The student will then have the necessary elements to begin the work.

The objective is to present a complete document that shows the complete development of the proposed work, including the possibility of its specific execution, according to the guidelines and details of the Final Course Work presented. The work must be a contribution to some of the fields studied or their relationship, both theoretical and applied and respecting the doctrines, theories and related disciplines.

Note: The subject content may be subjected to slight modifications due to updates and improvements.

Management

Academic Administration

Dr. Maurizio Antonio Battino. Researcher in Biochemistry and professor in the Scuola di Specializzazione in Scienza dell'Alimentazione. Professor at the Università Politecnica delle Marche. Scientific Director of the European University of the Atlantic.
Dr. Pilar Sánchez Collado. Doctor in Pharmacy. Head professor of the Department of Biomedical Sciences of the University of León.
Dr. José A. De Paz Fernández. Doctor in Medicine. Head professor of the Department of Biomedical Sciences of the University of León.

General Academic Coordination

Dr. Irma Domínguez Azpíroz. International Coordinator.

Teaching staff and Authors

Dr. Antonio Martos Martín. Doctor by the University of Granada. Professor at the University of Granada and the University of Malaga.
Dr. David Padilla Góngora. Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the University of Almeria.
Dr. Alejandra María Corona Romero. Doctor in Public Health Sciences from the University of Guadalajara. Professor and researcher.
Dr. Assumpció Roset Elías. Doctor in Pharmacy. Coordinator of the Health Education Program at the Department of Education of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Dr. Clícia Jatahy Peixoto. Doctor in Psychogerontology. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University and the International University of Valencia.
Dr. Consuelo del Moral Ávila. Architect and professor in the Department of Architectural Constructions and Director of the Universal Accessibility Area of the University of Granada.
Dr. Divka Inge Rojic Becker. D. in Neurosciences from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Researcher in the group of memory enhancement and retrieval in the Department of Psychobiology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
Dr. María del Pino Sánchez Hernández. D. in Gerontology and Postgraduate Professor at the University of Granada.
Dr. María Dolores García Olalla. Doctorate in Psychology by the Rovira i Virgili University. Collaborating Professor at the Rovira i Virgili University.
Dr. Misericordia Camps Llauradó. Doctor in Psychology. Researcher and professor at the Rovira i Virgili University.
Dr. Montserrat Celdrán Castro. Interuniversity Doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Barcelona. Associate Professor, Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona.
Dr. Montserrat González Gómez. D. in Public Health Sciences from the University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara. Professor at the University of Guadalajara. Professor at the Institute of Graduate Studies and Sciences S.C. Professor at University of Valle de Mexico.
Dr. Ramona Rubio Herrera. D. in Psychology from the Central University of Barcelona. Professor of Gerontology at the University of Granada.
Dr. Silvia Quer. Doctor in Clinical and Health Psychology. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
Dr. Susana Martínez. Doctor in Biology from the University of León. Professor at the University of León and the European University of the Atlantic.
Dr. (c) Rosana Oddone. D. candidate in the Doctorate in Projects at the International Iberoamerican University. Master's Degree in Design, Management and Project Management from the University of León. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
Dr. (c) Lucibel Vásquez. D. candidate in Psychosocial Intervention. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
M. Stefanía Carvajal. Master in the Strategic Management of Health Organizations. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
M. Verónica Lopes. Master in Community Nursing and Public Health by the Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal - Escola Superior de Saúde, Setúbal, Portugal. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
M. Laura Martín. Master in International Health and Cooperation and Expert in Communication and Digital Marketing in Health. Food Quality Consultant/Auditor. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
Lic. Gloria Arbonés Vilá. Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Barcelona. Community Pharmacist.

FUNIBER Training Scholarships

The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) allocates periodically an extraordinary economic item for FUNIBER Training Scholarships.

To apply, please fill out the information request form that appears in the web of FUNIBER or contact directly the Foundation’s headquarters in your country that will inform you if you need to provide some additional information.

Once the documentation is received, the Evaluation Committee will determine your application's eligibility for the FUNIBER Training Scholarship.