Overview
In this unit, you will explore cognitive and sensory impairments in and on the lives of the older person. You will apply the principles of advanced nursing knowledge, law, ethics, and professional attributes in the provision of best practice nursing care for the older person with cognitive and/or sensory impairment. You will apply and justify nursing clinical decision-making in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nurse-led and collaborative care that aims to maintain or enhance the cognitive and sensory capabilities of the older adult.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student verbal feedback after their oral presentation assessment.
Assessments were really interesting, I never thought of hypertension affecting the older adult in the way it can, especially an older adult with dementia.
The unit coordinator to continue to design assessments that encourage critical thinking and real-world application of clinical concepts, particularly in complex scenarios involving older adults with comorbidities such as dementia. Consider incorporating more case-based assessment to further enhance students’ understanding of the multifaceted impact of conditions like hypertension in older people.
- Investigate cognitive and/or sensory function impairment and the impact of these impairments in and on the lives of older people.
- Apply contemporary nursing knowledge, ethical, legal, and professional practice concepts to the nursing care of older adults experiencing cognitive and/or sensory impairment.
- Critically discuss complex nursing care management of the older adult who has cognitive and/or sensory impairment in your context of specialty practice.
- Justify the nursing care of an older adult experiencing cognitive and/or sensory impairment in your context of nursing practice.
There is no external accreditation linked to this unit.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Access to University Library System
- Microsoft Office 2010 or 2013 (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- studiosity
- Zoom access
- EndNote (bibliographical software). EndNote bibliographic software to format your references is NOT mandatory. However, it will be a great tool to manage your research references and cite them in texts. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. It is easy to use and very helpful. See https://my.cqu.edu.au/group/it-services/endonte to access the software
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.fuseini@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Welcome to the unit.
Healthy Ageing.
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Review the recorded welcome video and online Zoom tutorial timetable.
Find out what is in Student Support.
How do I find the Library?
Click on the link and learn what is the Academic Learning Centre.
Review the eReadings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Welcome and Unit Introduction.
Assessments 1 and 2 - Review the assessment tasks and rubrics and make a study plan.
Activity – Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your name, place of work, and the reasons you are studying GCN.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program - complete your annual program.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Person-centred Care
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom– Tutorial and unit content and assessments
Assessment 1 – Start your literature searching and preparing assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Physical Assessment
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in session, Unit content and assessments.
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Assessment 1 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Psychological and Cognitive Assessment
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom– Tutorial and unit content and assessments
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4
Assessment 1 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Nursing Knowledge and Law
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in session, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 – Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Ethics and the Profession
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom– Tutorial and unit content and assessments
Assessment 1 – Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Vacation week
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Age-Related Changes
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in session, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Finalise assessment.
Mandatory Check closing date, i.e., Monday Week 10.
Presentation Due: Week 7 Wednesday (29 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Delirium, Dementia, and Importance of Mental Health
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom– Tutorial and unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2: Review the assessment tasks and rubrics, make a study plan, and start your literature searching for your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Sensory Deficits (Taste, Hearing & Vision)
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in session, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2: Continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Cardiovascular Conditions and Sensory Impairment
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom– Tutorial and unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Work toward completing your assessment 2.
Don’t forget - Check your unit enrolments for next term.
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Stimulating Cognitive and Sensory Functioning
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in session, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Work toward completing your assessment 2.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Continue to check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Deterioration and the Older Adult
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom– Tutorial and unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Work toward completing your assessment 2 in the coming week. Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
NIL
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2: Finalise your Assessment 2.
Written Assessment Due: Exam Week Wednesday (10 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Presentation
Aim: The aim of this assessment is for you to critically examine the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on older adults with impaired cognition, highlighting potential complications and management strategies to promote better health outcomes for older adults.
Instructions: Prepare and deliver a nine-slide presentation that critically analyses and justifies the nursing care management plan you would provide for an older adult with T2DM and associated cognitive impairment. Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content is used to generate ideas and general structures.
b. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
c. Checking spelling and grammar.
d. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on slide 2 of your assessment
Extensions: Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria:
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 7 Wednesday (29 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
The assessment is due by 4:00pm (AEST) as on the listed due date. Submit via the Moodle submission link. Late penalties of 5% per day of the available mark may be applied as per the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework). Contact TASAC if you experience technical issues submitting your assessment: • Phone toll-free 1300 666 620 • Email tasac@cqu.edu.au
Week 10 Wednesday (20 May 2026)
Marks and written feedback will be released via Moodle within 3 weeks of the due date as on the listed return date.
Please refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Investigate cognitive and/or sensory function impairment and the impact of these impairments in and on the lives of older people.
- Apply contemporary nursing knowledge, ethical, legal, and professional practice concepts to the nursing care of older adults experiencing cognitive and/or sensory impairment.
- Critically discuss complex nursing care management of the older adult who has cognitive and/or sensory impairment in your context of specialty practice.
- Justify the nursing care of an older adult experiencing cognitive and/or sensory impairment in your context of nursing practice.
2 Written Assessment
Aim: The aim of this assessment is for you to critically analyse a complex clinical scenario involving an 85-year-old man with multiple health conditions, integrating advanced clinical reasoning, person-centred care, ethical and legal responsibilities, and contemporary nursing standards. You will develop and justify a comprehensive nursing care plan that reflects evidence-based practice, safe clinical decision-making, to meet the requirements of the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.
Instructions: Please follow the steps below to complete this assessment task. Read the case study and answer the five questions provided after the case study. Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
1. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) on the AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
- Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
- Must be cited in the relevant sections.
- Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Exam Week Wednesday (10 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
The assessment is due by 4:00pm (AEST) as on the listed due date. Submit via the Moodle submission link. Late penalties of 5% per day of the available mark may be applied as per the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework). Contact TASAC if you experience technical issues submitting your assessment: • Phone toll-free 1300 666 620 • Email tasac@cqu.edu.au
Marks and written feedback will be released via Moodle at 4pm (AEST) on Wednesday, 1st July 2026
Please refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Investigate cognitive and/or sensory function impairment and the impact of these impairments in and on the lives of older people.
- Apply contemporary nursing knowledge, ethical, legal, and professional practice concepts to the nursing care of older adults experiencing cognitive and/or sensory impairment.
- Critically discuss complex nursing care management of the older adult who has cognitive and/or sensory impairment in your context of specialty practice.
- Justify the nursing care of an older adult experiencing cognitive and/or sensory impairment in your context of nursing practice.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
