A new course by the Department of Gerontology, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta, was launched this morning by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing Dr Justyne Caruana.

The University will be offering a Master Degree in Ageing and Dementia Studies as from February 2016, the cost of which is €800 per semester.

The University said that this postgraduate degree is unique in that it combines the interdisciplinary development and application of contemporary theories and evidence based practice relating to that interface between ageing and dementia studies.

Dr Caruana said that the course was a part of the Government's recently launched national Dementia strategy, adding that public sector workers who are interested in taking the course, will be provided with scholarships, which the Government will be partly funding.

The Master Degree in Ageing and Dementia Studies is targeted at professionals involved in the social and health care of older persons, this postgraduate degree offers an opportunity to advance careers by enhancing professional clinical practice to improve the required skills in generating and delivering better levels of care.

Its key objective is to empower professionals working in gerontological and geriatric settings to be the leaders in the future of ageing and dementia care by obtaining a blend of theoretical and evidence based practice that enables them to assume principal roles in policy design and clinical practice

The Master Degree in Ageing and Dementia Studies is spread over three years of part-time study that commences in February 2016 and spanning a total of 6 semesters.

The first and second year of study is composed of taught units and clinical placements, with the third year being wholly dedicated to the writing of a dissertation. The academic programme applies a blended learning model that involves lectures, workshops, and placements in care homes and rehabilitation settings.

The academic programme is multidisciplinary and includes, among other study units, Understanding dementia: Theoretical perspectives; Evaluation and assessment in dementia care; Community & residential services in dementia care; Advances in dementia management; and Communication and dementia. Clinical experience will be provided through practice placements in hospitals, care homes for older persons and rehabilitation clinics – and research modules will lead students to develop critical analyses and literature evaluation within the academic context of ageing and dementia studies. The Board of Studies includes:

Dr Marvin Formosa, Department of Gerontology, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta

Dr Charles Scerri, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta.

Admission requirements include a Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours or Category II.

Further information is found on the Department of Gerontology website and the at www.um.edu.mt/socialwellbeing/overview/PMAADSPET6-2015-6-F.

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