Gerontology Certificate

Deepen your understanding of the physical, emotional, mental, social, and ethical aspects of aging. Learn practical skills to support the health and well-being of our senior population.

Gerontology Certificate Overview

As our senior population increases, so does demand for skilled and compassionate geriatric care providers.

Professionals who work with seniors must understand the complexities and challenges of aging and how to support health and well-being in older adults. This is the purpose and goal of the Gerontology certificate.

This training combines cutting-edge research and application to real-life situations to help you learn:

  • The functional changes of aging, common illnesses related to aging, and the relationship between aging and quality of life
  • The symptoms and treatments of common mental health issues among seniors (such as dementia, depression, and delirium)
  • Legal and ethical issues around elder abuse, consent and capacity, medically assisted dying, and advanced care planning
  • Techniques for engaging seniors in recreational activities and programs, social engagement, and a healthy lifestyle
  • A variety of community resources available to seniors, long-term care, and palliative care

Benefits of Online Gerontology Training at Kompass

The Gerontology certificate is delivered online for maximum flexibility without sacrificing on quality, engagement, or instructor support.

Here’s how it works:

  • Study online and fit coursework around your schedule
  • Learn from experienced geriatric healthcare professionals
  • Exchange ideas with your peers through online discussions
  • Get personalized support and coaching
  • Learn practical skills you can apply immediately in your own work
Joyful woman taking care of elderly mother

What to Expect from our Online Gerontology Course

Meet our gerontology instructor, learn more about the topics and skills covered in the course, and see who the training is geared toward.

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Careers in Gerontology

There are several career paths that focus on the care and support of seniors in both clinical and community settings.

Some common job titles in this field include:

  • Community Support Worker
  • Personal Support Worker
  • Health Care Aide
  • Geriatric Nurse
  • Recreation Program Manager
  • Social Worker
  • Mental Health Clinician

Course Format and Schedule

(Asynchronous)
Instructor-supported courses come with the support of a dedicated instructor but do not follow a set class schedule. Students work at their own pace to complete the course within a set time period. The instructor may offer pre-recorded lectures that are available for students to review or check-in sessions that students can participate in via video conferencing

(Live Session Office Hours)
The Gerontology instructor is available the second Thursday of each month from 7:00 – 8:00 PM EST for live discussions via video call. Students will be provided with a link to participate.

Healthy Aging

This course will explore the realities of aging in Canada, from demographics and social determinants of health to quality of life and end-of-life care. You’ll examine the biological changes of aging in different body systems, delve into the diverse experiences of older adults, and gain practical knowledge on promoting well-being and supporting those nearing the end of life. The course will also address the evolving family structure and its impact on seniors, and explore the often-overlooked topic of sexual health in older adults.

Cognitive Issues in Aging

This course will equip you with the knowledge to differentiate between a normally aging brain and one undergoing abnormal change. You’ll explore risk factors that may influence cognitive function and understand the potential consequences of decline. The course will also provide you with strategies caregivers can use to help older adults maintain their cognitive abilities.

Ethical and Legal Aspects of Aging

This course will show you how to navigate the important aspects of end-of-life care for older adults. You’ll learn about advanced care planning, including the role of substitute decision-makers, and how to identify and report elder abuse. The course also dives into medical options like palliative care, hospice care, and medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Health Promotion in Aging

This course explores the multifaceted impact of aging on various aspects of life. You’ll look at how aging affects nutrition, sleep patterns, and physical activity, and discover strategies to promote well-being in each area. The course also addresses pain management, ageism, and the challenges of communicating with older adults, especially those living with dementia.

Community Resources and Social Policy

This course will guide you through the evolving landscape of senior living options. You’ll explore the concept of “home” for older adults and review various housing options like aging in place, assisted living, and co-housing. You’ll also learn about navigating transitions in care.

This course will also cover resources available to seniors as well as legal aspects like wills and resident rights. Finally, you’ll explore how the culture of long-term care is changing to prioritize resident well-being and advocacy.

Instructors

Meet our industry-expert instructors.

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Mickey Daye
Instructor, Gerontology

MEd, BScN, RN

Mickey has over 27 years of nursing experience as both a licensed practical nurse and a registered nurse. He first graduated with a diploma in practical nursing in 1997 from Nova Scotia Community College, and later graduated from the joint University College of Cape Breton/St. Francis Xavier University nursing program in 2004. He has also completed a Master of Education with a focus on educational administration and leadership in 2012 through St. Francis Xavier University.

Following his graduation in 2004, he began work at a local community hospital on a medical/surgical unit.  In January 2005, he accepted a position at Cape Breton Regional Hospital in the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units where he was employed until 2007.

In 2007, he accepted a position at St. Francis Xavier University as a clinical associate.  His primary role included teaching courses related to nursing care of children and infants along with other courses related to geriatrics and adult medicine and surgery throughout the first three years of the program. During this time, he was a faculty advisor for the nursing society, was a member of the Status of Women Committee at StFX, and worked with the Nova Scotia College of Nursing and other stakeholders on various projects relating to the local community and students.

In 2010, he returned to the Cape Breton District Health Authority as the Clinical Nurse Leader in Pediatrics as well as teaching in the nursing program at Cape Breton University from 2012 to 2014. In 2013, assumed the position of Manager of Maternal Child Services at Cape Breton Regional Hospital until 2017, when he became Director of Integrated Health-Community Sites within the Nova Scotia Health Authority. In 2017, he also began teaching as a part-time instructor within the distance nursing program at StFX.

Since 2018, he has been a Clinical Director on the Cape Breton Healthcare Redevelopment project while continuing to teach at Cape Breton University in their healthcare management program, and more recently Kompass.

 

 

 

 

Overview

START DATES
Weekly (Mondays)
TOTAL PROGRAM LENGTH
3-6 months
DELIVERY
Online (Instructor Supported)
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT
Post-secondary education (degree or diploma) OR experience in a related field

Scholarship Offer

Register for a certificate and automatically receive a $500 discount on tuition!

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Ready to start?

Classes begin every Monday!

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Related Certificates

Who Should Take the Certificate?

The Gerontology certificate is designed for professionals seeking to more effectively support and care for seniors. Anyone who regularly interacts with seniors will benefit from this training, including:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Social workers
  • Community outreach professionals
  • Caregivers

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Post-secondary university degree or college diploma; OR
  • Relevant professional experience
Gillian, Community Mental Health Student
I have just completed the Community Mental Health certification and I absolutely loved it. The format of the course was very accommodating to those with busy schedules and still managed to be consistent, informative and interactive. The professors I had were both very engaging, knowledgeable and made already interesting material even better! Their slides, links and discussions were fantastic and I learned a lot that I will carry on with more towards future endeavours. Definitely recommend!

Tuition

*Register for a certificate and automatically receive a $500 scholarship towards tuition!*

Gerontology Individual Classes

The chart below outlines the cost of Gerontology classes if you choose to take them individually. Once you register for three or more classes within a certificate, you will be charged the non-refundable $200 registration fee. Individual classes must be paid in full at time of registration – click here to register for an individual class.

Gerontology Certificate

A $200 non-refundable registration fee is charged when you register for an entire certificate. The $500 scholarship will be automatically applied to your future payments. We offer a payment plan for tuition in three equal payments of $665 at week 1, week 5, and week 9, which will be automatically charged to your method of payment unless otherwise coordinated with accounting.

We also offer an extended payment plan of $333 monthly payments over six months. Please note your course must be paid in full prior to completion.

Kompass Alumni and Corporate Training Discounts

Students who successfully complete a certificate with Kompass are eligible for 20% off future certificates and classes. Group and employer discounts and custom corporate training options are available for three or more students.

Textbooks

All reading materials are provided for this course.

Courses
Individual Cost
The Aging Process (3-6 weeks)
$624
Cognitive Issues in Aging (3-6 weeks)
$624
Ethical and Legal Aspects of Aging (2-4 weeks)
$415
Health Promotion in Aging (2-4 weeks)
$416
Community Resources and Social Policy (2-4 week)
$416
TOTAL COST
$2495CAD + $200 REG.FEE
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