vcc.ca
HRCA 1291: Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges
Effective date
May 2026
Department
Health Care Assistant
School
Health Sciences
Description
This course builds on content from other courses to assist students to explore concepts and care-giving approaches that will allow them to work effectively with individuals experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges. The emphasis in this course is on supporting clients with dementia, recognizing responsive behaviours and identifying person-centred intervention strategies.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
HRCA 1220.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe ways to organize, provide and evaluate person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive challenges.
- Describe ways to organize, provide and evaluate person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing mental health challenges.
- Describe effective approaches for responding to responsive and reactive behaviours.
- Describe effective approaches for recognizing, responding to, and preventing elder abuse.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Total Hours: 60
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Lecture
Variety of group activities
Online activities
Variety of group activities
Online activities
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C+ (64%)
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
35 |
|
|
Assignments |
25 |
|
|
Exam |
20 |
Exam |
|
Exam |
20 |
Exam |
Course topics
- Cognitive Challenges in Older Adulthood
- Mental Health Challenges
- Responsive and reactive behaviours
- Elder Abuse
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.