Wellness Practice with Older Adults: A Foundation ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

Adults over the age of 80 are the fastest growing demographic today, more so than at any other time in history. What does wellness look like for older adults across physical, spiritual, social, intellectual, financial, vocational, environmental, and emotional dimensions? What does wellness feel like in later life? We will identify biases and perceptions about wellness and what it “should” look like. What are the challenges to living well, and what are the ways that human service professionals can promote wellbeing in later life? We will explore skills related to engagement, goal setting, and social well-being in human service practice with older adults. We will examine barriers, needs and opportunities for older adults in local communities to engage in wellness-promoting activities. We will consider how the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed painful realities about the inequities in aging and wellness for older adults. This course aligns with the Community and Human Services Area of Study Guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior and Skills and Application.