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REGISTRATION PERIOD     6 Nov 2024 - 26 Jan 2025

COURSE DATE 21 Apr 2025 - 18 Apr 2027 COURSE DURATION / FREQUENCY 3 hours/session (3 days/week)
MODE OF LEARNING Facilitated Learning (Face-to-Face/ Online Synchronous) and Asynchronous E-Learning COURSE VENUE Temasek Polytechnic

Course Overview

With a rapidly ageing population and the rollout of Healthier SG and the 2023 Action Plan for Successful Ageing, the Community Care sector, consisting mainly of home-based and centre-based care services, plays an increasingly pivotal role in enabling seniors to stay independent and active. Active Ageing Centres (AACs) have become the primary vehicle for upstream interventions aimed at promoting healthy ageing. With its swift expansion, the Community Care sector’s demand for skilled manpower has increased significantly.

 

As the scope and magnitude of work increase multifold, it is imperative that support care workers such as Programme Executive, Care Coordinator and Social Work Associate who form the backbone of the sector, undergo enhanced training in order to perform proficiently in increasingly dynamic roles. The proposed course aims to provide enhanced training that is closely informed by industry needs.

 


All students are required to bring their own notebooks for lessons. You may refer to the required technical specifications for notebook HERE.

What You'll Learn

Upon graduating from the course, graduates should be able to:

 

  • Apply gerontological concepts to develop individualised care plans for older adults
  • Plan, implement and evaluate psychosocial programmes
  • Engage and manage stakeholders effectively to deliver quality services
  • Contribute to workforce planning, staff engagement and recruitment

 

To be awarded the Diploma in Gerontology (Community Health & Social Care), participants are required to complete a total of 5 modular certificates (MCs). A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of each MC.

Subject Code Subject
GSF1901 Introduction to Gerontology

This subject covers the theoretical perspectives and approaches to the study of ageing, drawn from various disciplines. It will examine the causes and consequences of ageing at the micro (individual) and macro (population) levels. This subject also focuses on investigating the social, physical, and mental changes humans undergo as they age, as well as the impact of the elderly population on the social, economic, and political institutions in Singapore.  Topics will include biological theories of ageing, psychological and spiritual aspects of ageing, characteristics of the social dimensions of ageing, the 8 Dimensions of Well-Being assessment tool and health promotion programmes for the maintenance of wellness.

GSF1902 Anatomy & Physiology of Ageing

This subject focuses on the changes that occur in the human body because of ageing, including alterations in anatomy and physiology, as well as the implications for health and disease. Topics will include characteristics and theories on biological ageing, physiological changes in ageing, and age-related chronic disorders of pertinent organ systems such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, digestive, sensory and urinary systems. The concept of healthy ageing and the critical role of health promotion and disease prevention strategies for longevity will also be addressed.

GSF1903 Social Research & Programme Evaluation

This subject provides an overview of the theory and practice of social science research. The focus is to provide basic skills to conduct scientific inquiry, especially in programme evaluation. Topics covered include the theoretical foundation of social research, research ethics, literature review, and applied qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Subject Code Subject
GSF1904 Population Health & Ageing

The subject provides an introduction to the life course approach to health, i.e., the cumulative impact of early life risk exposure on health in later life, and the importance of population-level interventions in building healthy communities. Special focus will be on the implications of an ageing population on public health, and Singapore’s policy responses to associated challenges. The subject covers a range of topics related to the health and well-being of older adults, including epidemiology, healthcare delivery, policy interventions, and health communications.

GSF1905 Physical Activities & Wellness

This subject delves into the complex structural, physiological, and functional changes of late adulthood, focusing on their impact on the well-being of older adults. Topics include assessment and the creation of well-rounded personalised exercise programmes for older adults to mitigate the risk of frailty and falls and bolster functional independence in the community. Strategies and devices to promote independence in older adults with frailty will also be introduced, to enable well-being.

GSF1906 Programme Planning for Health Promotion

This subject addresses the various key steps in programme planning, development, implementation, and evaluation in the context of health promotion. Topics include foundations of programme planning tools, health promotion models & theories and an ecological approach to needs assessment.

Subject Code Subject
GSF1907 Mental Health & Dementia Management

This subject focuses on prevalent mental health disorders among older adults, with a special emphasis on dementia, its impact on individuals, families and society. Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of person-centred dementia care, delivered through classroom learning and on-site work-based learning, to promote mental well-being and enhance the quality of life of individuals with dementia. The subject also explores non-pharmacological approaches, and emerging trends and technologies for improving dementia care.

GSF1908 Coaching & Case Management

This subject introduces the principles of coaching and case management to assess needs and evaluate options, services and programmes required to meet individual-specific needs. Multidisciplinary approaches are introduced and the subject examines social, cultural and psychological perspectives and appropriate strategies to achieve goals and empower the older adult.

GSF1909 Gerontechnology & Behaviour Design

This subject explores the interdisciplinary field of gerontechnology, which combines gerontology and technology. It focuses on understanding the connection between older people and technology, and how appropriate design and new technologies can be leveraged to promote independent living, autonomy, and support networks for the elderly to improve quality of ageing. Students will also learn behaviour design principles that can be used to customise programs and services to encourage health-promoting behaviours among older adults.

Subject Code Subject
GSF1910 Basic Gerontological Counselling

This subject consists of classroom learning and a practicum component. It covers key counselling skills, approaches and interventions commonly used in working with older adults. Students will be equipped with tools to assess, intervene, and provide psychological support to older adults. Students will embark on a practicum to apply the skills learnt.

GSF1911 Working with Older Adults & Their Families

This subject consists of classroom learning and a practicum component. It examines the role of the family in the older person’s experience of ageing and approaches to collaborate with the family unit to co-create solutions. Changing norms and values that influence interactional dynamics within the family system will also be explored. Students will embark on a practicum to apply the skills learnt.

GSF1912 Community Based Nursing & Therapy Support

This subject consists of classroom learning and a practicum component. It provides knowledge and skills required to assess older adults’ health status and assist with nursing care, therapeutic exercises and mobility training. Students will embark on a practicum to apply the skills learnt. Topics include medication administration, assistance with activities of daily living and measurement of vital signs, ambulation and transfers, falls prevention and groupwork facilitation.

Subject Code Subject
GSF1913 Administration for Non-Profit Organisations

This subject teaches the fundamental skills required in junior executive roles in purpose-driven entities, especially those in the ageing sector. This also involves examining demonstrated strategies to achieve sustainability in various organisational types such as non-profits, social enterprises and profit-with-a-purpose companies. Topics cover volunteer management and retention, cross-sector collaboration, measuring social impact, client-centric values, fundraising, resource mobilisation, risk management, and social innovation.

GSF1914 Leadership for Non-Profit Organisations

This subject examines the skills, roles and responsibilities of an effective team leader in the non-profit sector. Students will be exposed to practical and contextualised learning through job shadowing with relevant organisations.

GSF1915 Community Development with Older Adults

The subject will provide an understanding of the principles and approaches to community development and how these can be applied to work with older adults to address some of their major challenges. Students will be introduced to the methodologies of community development that will enable them to design intervention programmes that also harnesses the potential of older adults.

Modes of Assessment

 

The assessment would be based on a combination of coursework components such as practical and written tests as well as assignments.


For more information on course fee / schedule, or to apply,

Career Opportunities

Graduates can look forward to being hired as Community Care Executive (CCE), Programme Executive, Social Work Associate, Care Coordinator Assistant and Assistant Health Coach.

 

After 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience and continuous upskilling, a CCE will have the opportunity to progress to a Community Care Manager (CCM) role, while a Programme Executive and Social Work Associate can progress to a Programme Manager and Social Worker.

Entry Requirements

 

‘O’ Levels

At least 3 ‘O’ Level passes

AND 1 year of relevant working experience

OR
Higher Nitec GPA ≥ 2.0
OR

GPA ≥ 1.5

AND 1 year of relevant working experience

OR
Nitec GPA ≥ 3.5
OR

GPA ≥ 3.0

AND 1 year of relevant working experience

OR
Higher Nitec in Technology

GPA ≥ 2.0

AND 1 year of relevant working experience

OR
Higher Nitec in Service

GPA ≥ 2.0

AND 1 year of relevant working experience

OR
Nitec in Technology

GPA ≥ 3.5

AND 1 year of relevant working experience

OR
Nitec in Service

GPA ≥ 3.5

AND 1 year of relevant working experience

OR
WSQ Qualification

Relevant WSQ Qualification with 1 year of relevant working experience

AND WSQ Workplace Literacy Statement of Attainment (SOA)(Level 6) AND Workplace Numeracy Statement of Attainment (SOA)(Level 6)

OR
Without relevant academic qualifications At least 2 years of relevant working experience

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements may be considered for admission to the course based on evidence of at least 2 years of relevant working experience or supporting evidence of competency readiness. Suitable applicants who are shortlisted may have to go through an interview and/or entrance test. The Polytechnic reserves the right to shortlist and admit applicants.

Suitable For

The course’s primary target industry is the community care sector and the secondary target industry is the acute and intermediate care sector, i.e. hospitals and community hospitals.

 

This course provides a pathway for the following groups of potential learners to be upskilled for enhanced career prospects in the community care sector:

 

  • In-service staff with qualifications lower than a diploma
  • Mid-careerists without gerontology background
  • Fresh ITE graduates

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Course Contact

  • Mainline 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 109
    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.