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PAR-30003 - Module Specification
School of Medicine
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

PAR-30003 - Older Persons & Frailty
Coordinator: Rachel Aldersey-Mundy Room: N/A
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733928

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

Paramedic practice continues to evolve to meet modern challenges in the UK health system. The ageing population of the UK and the complexity of health and illness through an ever-increasing life expectancy requires practitioners capable to deliver safe and effective care to a diverse range of elderly service users. There is a need to identify strategies to support older people both in the healthcare system and in managing their own health.
This module seeks to provide you with an understanding of normal patterns of ageing and how physical or mental illness impacts on the older person taking into account social and cultural aspects of care. Throughout the MSci Paramedic Science programme you will critically reflect on your own practice, explore inter-agency working taking into account legal aspects to enable the development of strategies for effective holistic care that is evidence-based and supports the needs of an older population.

Aims
The changing demographics of an ageing population causes an ever-increasing demand for healthcare professionals to be able to provide safe and effective care to a culturally and socially diverse elderly population who often have complex and multiple co-morbidity healthcare needs.
This module provides the opportunity to explore the impact of frailty and the underlying pathophysiological changes alongside a range of other age-related conditions and to further develop assessment, management and clinical decision-making skills. The module encourages students to develop their existing knowledge and experience from clinical practice by critically evaluating arguments and assumptions to make sound
judgements of appropriate clinical care to the elderly population.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/par-30003/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically analyse the biological ageing process and associated pathophysiological changes in frailty: 2
Critically evaluate the impact of polypharmacy on the assessment and management of frailty, trauma and long term conditions in frail patients: 2
Examine the risk factors and signs of frailty and falls in adults, including individuals from Global Ethnic Majority groups, LGBTQ+ communities and Learning Disability service users: 1
Evaluate a range of assessment tools that may assist in the detection of frailty: 1
Critically justify referral decisions and the selection of alternative care pathways using evidence from a range of relevant sources: 2

Study hours

Lead lectures - 40 hours
Case Studies - 20 hours
Synchronised discussions - 10 hours
Seminars - 10 hours
Tutorials - 4 hours
Independent Study 216 hours to include:
Directed reading - 32 Hours
independent reading - 50 hours
Assessment Preparation - 134
Research and poster/assessment preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Presentation weighted 40%
Poster Presentation 15 minutes and 5 minutes for questions
Students are to produce a professional poster (suitable for a conference submission) and present (15 minutes), based on the risk factors and assessment of frailty. There will be 5 minutes for questions. You are expected to present your poster to peers and x2 tutors The poster content and presentation skills will be assessed. The presentation will also be recorded for internal and external moderation to ensure fairness and consistency.

2: Assignment weighted 60%
3000 word case study
3000 word case study - students have to analyse the underlying pathophysiology of frailty, the impact of polypharmacy and the risks of illness and injury including management decisions

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025