Course overview
The aim of this course is to examine and understand the issue of social connectivity and the link to healthy ageing for individuals who are older or living with disability. This course explores and critically analyses the importance of social connectivity for people who are older, including those living with impairment or vulnerability. Students will learn how to assess and evaluate the strength, and benefits of social connectivity for all people and then apply strategies around facilitating the development of strengthened social connections. Students will examine the impact of reduced social connectivity on people in order to understand the link to healthy ageing in a range of social contexts, as well as policy and economic implications.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate understandings of the importance of social connectivity, and meaningful relationships and their link to health and well-being for older people, including those living with impairments and vulnerabilities.
- Evaluate and critically analyse how social connectivity can reduce loneliness and social isolation, provide social protection, and support healthy ageing for older people who are living with impairment or vulnerabilities.
- Research and evaluate evidence-based strategies to inform how human services and practice can be designed to strengthen older peoples' social connections
- Critically analyse policies and programs which aim to strengthen social connectedness for older people in different across human services settings