Health and Aging
(HEA 325)
Fall 1999

Days/Time:  TTH - 11:00 am to 12:15 pm
Room:  Trask 117
Instructor:  Dr. Mike Perko, Ph.D., CHES
Office:  Trask 114
Office Hours:  MW - 9:00 am - 10:00 am, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
                      T TH - 9:00 am - 10:00 am
                      F - By appointment
Phone:  962-3258
E-mail:  Perkom@uncwil.edu

Text:  Health in the Later Years, 2nd Edition.  Authors - Ferrini and Ferrini.  Brown and Benchmark, Publishers.

Course Description:  At the end of this course you should be able to:

  1. Understand and be familiar with health characteristics of an aging population.

  2. Use basic knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to work as practioners in this arena.

  3. Realize that, like an U.S. Savings Bond, someday we will mature.  What we’ve put into it is what we will get out.

Attendance Policy: Regular attendance will not be taken in this class. It is the responsibility of the student to attend class.  There will however be in class activities, etc. that will be used to add bonus points to your total grade. It is strongly encouraged that you attend class because I rely on what you bring to the class as a catalyst for discussion.

Evaluation Criteria:

Class grades will be based on four exams, plus project.  Each exam is worth 100 points.  The project is worth 100.

Grades:  Percent  Point Distribution

 A   =   90% and above     450 - 500 points
 B+ =   85% - 89%           425 - 449 points
 B   =   80% - 84%           400 - 424 points
 C+ =  75% - 79%           375 - 399 points
 C   =   70% - 74%          350  -374 points
 D+ =   65% - 69%          325 - 349 points
 D   =   60% - 64%          300 - 324 points
 F    =   59% and less        299 or less points

Make-Up Policy:

 A missed written examination may only be made up when a student follows this procedure: 1) informs the professor of their impending absence, and, 2) document’s their absence with evidence satisfactory to the instructor.  If this procedure isn’t followed no make-up exam will be given.  Only a bonafide life-threatening emergency will supersede this policy.  Any make-up exam must take place prior to the return of exam papers, which will occur at the next class meeting following the stated regular exam date.  These dates are found on your syllabus.

What Instructor expects from the students:
1.  Respect for all in the classroom;
2.  Honesty, integrity, timeliness;
3.  Class participation goes a long way with me.

What you can expect from Instructor:
1.  Respect for all in the classroom;
2.  Honesty, integrity, timeliness;
3.  Knowledgeable about subject matter;
4.  Examinations will reflect subject matter;
5.  Office door is always open.

Class Meeting Schedule
Date Topic Chapters to read

Aug 19 - Course outline, project,
 24 - U.S. Elders - Myths and Facts 1
 26 - U.S. Elders - Myths and Facts 1
 31 - Biological Aging Theories and Longevity 2

Sept.  2 -  Biological Aging Theories and Longevity 2
 7 -  The Body and its Age Changes: Part One  3
 9 -  The Body and its Age Changes: Part One  3
 14 -  The Body and its Age Changes: Part Two  4
 16 -  The Body and its Age Changes: Part Two  4
 21 -  EXAM #1
 23 - Chronic Illness 5
 28 -  Chronic Illness 5
 30 - Acute Illness and Drugs 6

Oct. 5 -  Acute Illness and Drugs 6
 12 -  Medication Use 7
 14 -  Medication Use 7
 19 -  Mental Health and Illness 8
 21 -  Mental Health and Illness 8
 26 -  EXAM #2
 28 -  Nutrition 9 (Group presentations of project begin)

Nov. 2 -  Nutrition 9
 4 -  Physical Activity 10
 9 -  Physical Activity 10
 11 -  Sexuality 11
 16 - EXAM #3
 18 - Medical Care 12
 23 -  Long Term Care 13
 30 - Long Term Care 13
Dec. 2 - Dying, Death and Grief 14
 7 -  Dying, Death and Grief 14

Final 15 - Exam #4, Wednesday  - 11:30 am - 2:30 pm