Specialist Diploma in Gerontology (Optimal Ageing Practice)

SPECIALIST DIPLOMA IN GERONTOLOGY (OPTIMAL AGEING PRACTICE) (PGF)

Duration 1 year (Part-time)

Frequency 7pm - 10pm on 3 weekdays

Certificate Part-time Diploma & Post-Diploma

Course Overview

This course is jointly offered by St Luke’s ElderCare and Temasek Polytechnic. It aims to equip existing professionals and fresh entrants in the social service, community and health/healthcare sectors with practical knowledge in gerontology, and the skills required to promote optimal ageing amongst older adults.

Participants will learn how to:

a. Engage effectively with older adults and stakeholders to identify changing needs.

b. Identify trends and societal factors relating to managing an ageing population.

c. Provide solutions to promote optimal ageing.

This course is mapped to the SSG Skills Framework for Social Service, and the Agency for Integrated Care’s (AIC) Skills Standards Framework for Support Care Roles (various roles).

Website: slec.org.sg

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

A Polytechnic Diploma or ITE Technical Diploma / Technical Engineer Diploma / Work-Learn Technical Diploma or equivalent

OR a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

OR a Post-Secondary Certificate with at least 5 Years of relevant working experience

Who Should Attend

The intended target participants are working professionals from the social service, community and health/healthcare sectors, as well as working professionals outside of these sectors who are keen to work with older adults.

What You'll Learn

To be awarded the Specialist Diploma, participants are required to complete a total of 2 Post-Diploma Certificates (PDCs). A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of each PDC.

Post-Diploma Certificate in Person-Centred Approaches in Ageing

The Post-Diploma Certificate in Person-Centred Approaches in Ageing provides students with a holistic understanding of the ageing process that emphasises the importance of ageing well and with dignity and respect. Students will gain practical programme planning skills to develop programmes and activities that suit the varying needs and wants of older adults.

	Subject Code	Subject
	GSF2001	Perspectives on Ageing This subject will provide a multidimensional understanding of the physical, psychological, social and spiritual changes associated with ageing, and how these domains influence quality of life and optimal ageing for older adults. Special focus will be given to chronic illnesses and the mental health of older adults, with an emphasis on dementia and depression. The importance of public health and health promotion strategies will be discussed.
	GSF2002	Programme Planning for Health Promotion with Older Adults This module will provide participants with the knowledge and skills on planning, development, implementation and evaluation of meaningful activities and programmes that are aimed at promoting healthy and active ageing. Participants will learn to identify suitable activities for clients with varying functional levels across different settings. Case studies will be used to assist participants to apply their learning.
	GSF2003	Advance Care Planning & End-of-Life Issues This module will examine emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual issues that may arise in the process of dying, and the roles that family, support staff and Intermediate and long term care (ILTC) providers play in supporting the terminally-ill in the community and inpatient settings. Participants will be equipped with knowledge and skills to contribute to advanced care planning and implement advanced care directives.
	GSF2004	Practicum 1 This module provides participants with the opportunity for self-directed leaning, to apply knowledge and skills acquired. Participants will engage in practical activities and/or project work aligned to the identified learning needs and area/s of interest within the Post-Diploma Certificate. Identify an area of skills application to promote own competency Identify an area of need (relating to: own professional competence, a client, client group, or your/an organisation) that is aligned with a focus area selected.

Post-Diploma Certificate in Management of Ageing Services

The Post-Diploma Certificate in Management of Ageing Services provides students with specialised knowledge and skills relevant to working with special groups of older adults in the community. It also equips students with organisational awareness and skills to become an efficient team member.

	Subject Code	Subject
	GSF2005	Coaching & Case Management with Older Adults This subject introduces coaching and case management frameworks and tools that will prepare participants to assist in developing customised care goals and plans and activating suitable services and resources to meet client and family needs. The subject promotes knowledge and skills required to educate clients on health management, and available programmes and services to optimise client empowerment.
	GSF2006	Physical Activities for Older Adults The module will take a deeper look at structural, physiological, and functional changes occurring during adulthood and the implications of these on older adults’ well-being. Participants will learn how to design, conduct and evaluate individualized exercise programmes aimed at preventing falls and improving functional independence in the community.
	GSF2007	Administrative Functions in Ageing Services This subject examines current models and practices relating to volunteer management and retention, and cross sector collaboration. The focus will be on organisations providing ageing services. Innovation methods, ethical issues and risk management frameworks will also be covered.
	GSF2008	Practicum 2 This module provides participants with the opportunity for self-directed leaning, to apply knowledge and skills acquired. Participants will engage in practical activities and/or project work aligned to the identified learning needs and area/s of interest within the Post-Diploma Certificate. Identify an area of skills application to promote own competency Identify an area of need (relating to: own professional competence, a client, client group, or your/an organisation) that is aligned with a focus area selected.

Modes of Assessment

Assignments
Project Work
Quizzes/Tests

We practice a Bring Your Own Device system at the School of Humanities & Social Sciences.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this course can ride on the growth in manpower demand in the many sectors serving the older population. Upon completion of this course, those who have relevant prior experience can expect to take on more specialised work involving older adults and/or higher level job roles such as Assistant Manager, Team Leader and Senior Coordinator/Executive. The knowledge in applied gerontology will also equip fresh entrants to the sectors with relevant knowledge and skills to work with older adults in various settings such as senior activity, wellness and active ageing centres, daycare/day rehabilitation centres, homecare and nursing homes.

Course Schedule/Apply

Intake Info	Application Period	Course Duration
April 2024	To be announced	1 year	APPLY / REGISTER INTEREST

Online application may close earlier for courses with overwhelming response.

For details on Application and Admission Process, please click here.

Course Fees

Course fees per Post-Diploma Certificate

Fees Type	Course Fees per PDC (w GST)
Singapore Citizens
Aged 40 and above (Individual or SME-sponsored)	S$269.64
Aged below 40	S$398.04
SME-sponsored aged below 40	S$278.04
Others & Repeat Students	S$2,657.88
Non-Singapore Citizens
Singapore Permanent Residents	S$1,088.64
SME-sponsored (Singapore Permanent Residents)	S$282.72
Others & Repeat Students	S$2,721.60

SkillsFuture Credit Approved. For more details, please click here.

Course fees payable is based on per Post-Diploma Certificate.

Course fees will be reviewed by MOE on an annual basis and adjusted accordingly.

MOE subsidy will not be applicable for students who repeat a module or semester.

With effect from 1 Jul 2020, the Workforce Training Scheme (WTS) will be replaced by the Work Support Scheme (WSS); for more information, please visit:

https://www.wsg.gov.sg/programmes-and-initiatives/workfare-skills-support-scheme-individuals.html

Hear from our Learners

"After completing this course, I am now a lot more knowledgeable about the myriad of factors that an ageing person, their families and loved ones, as well as the community would have to face. I hope to fuse the both my experience in the special needs sector with my newfound knowledge in gerontology and hopefully work with both segments of our community, through encouraging them to engage with each other. I really enjoyed the 1-year in TP. The lecturers were very understanding and supportive to the part-time learners, and I was blessed to have met a wonderful community of learners who kept us going through encouragement and great teamwork."

Calvin Chew

Course Contact

tsa_acadcet@tp.edu.sg
67881212
Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Closed during lunchtime, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
and on weekends and public holidays.
https://www.tp.edu.sg/tsa
Temasek SkillsFuture Academy (TSA)
Temasek Polytechnic
East Wing, Block 1A, Level 3, Unit 4
21 Tampines Ave 1
Singapore 529757

Temasek Polytechnic reserves the right to alter the course, modify the scale of fee, amend any other information or cancel course with low enrolment.

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