Long-Term Healthcare Course Description

Course Description

LTHM 3000 - Introduction to Long-Term Healthcare Management

This course will provide an overview of Long-Term Healthcare Management in a variety of settings across the spectrum of the wellness and illness continuum.  An interdisciplinary approach will be utilized to meet the biopsychosocial needs of the individuals and family systems. Theoretical concepts of aging and developmental disabilities will be explored, as well as cultural norms and attitudes toward aging and developmental disabilities. An overview of the care delivery system and resources will be examined in order to deliver holistic care in a managed care environment.  This course will examine long-term healthcare delivery in skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, senior housing, and community based services. 6-0-6

LTHM 3101 Legal and Ethical Issues in Long-Term Healthcare Management

Legal and ethical issues associated with older adults and persons with developmental disabilities will be examined. Topics will include elder abuse, neglect, preservation of life with limits, organ donation, research experimentation, research clinical trials, and end of life care issues. Durable power of attorney for healthcare, living wills, advanced directives and heath care proxies will be examined. A case study approach will be utilized to explore deontological principles. 3-0-3

LTHM 3102 - Healthy Aging: Safety and Optimal Wellness Strategies

This course will focus on developing healthy lifestyle strategies to promote a healthy mind, body, and spirit. It also will examine stages of development and hierarchy of needs as an individual transitions through the stages of life. Topics will include attitudes, emotions, loss, control, hope, and family dynamics. Theories of aging will be explored and emphasis will be placed on healthy lifestyle choices which will promote optimal wellness for individuals on the aging trajectory. 3-0-3

LTHM 3103 - Medicare ABCD and Supplemental Insurance Coverage

This course will explore Medicare coverage and the role of supplemental insurance coverage related to long-term healthcare. This federal health insurance for people over the age of 65 and certain younger individuals with disabilities will be analyzed in order to gain an understanding of services covered and out of pocket expenses. Supplemental insurance coverages will also be explored as well as methods for financing long-term health care. 3-0-3

LTHM 3200 - Economics of Healthcare Management

This course will provide an overview of the microeconomics of healthcare systems. Methods to expand delivery of care and improve quality in a cost effective manner will be examined in the world of healthcare reform. Topics including private financing, Medicare prospective payment systems and value-based purchasing, Medicaid, fraud and abuse will be examined. Strategies will focus on equity, efficiency, cost minimization and output maximization with an emphasis on sustainability. 6-0-6

LTHM 3201 - Interdisciplinary Rehabilitative and Restorative Care

This course will examine the methods of holistic rehabilitation and restoration process designed to assist individuals to regain their highest level of functioning following a life altering health care event. A combination of physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as assistive devices, are utilized to promote independence and assist them in achieving activities of daily living. 3-0-3

LTHM 3202 - Self-Concept, Sexuality, and Intimacy

Individuals in long-term care maintain their desire for intimacy and sexuality. This course will explore cultural norms, myths, beliefs, and attitudes related to sexuality and identify methods to prevent barriers to fulfilling this basic need. The normal aging process, physiologic and psychologic manifestations, pharmacologic interventions and risky behaviors will be examined in order to educate individuals and groups about the unique needs for fulfillment and adequate methods for expression. 3-0-3

LTHM 3203 - Communication, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution Skills

Communication is crucial in the field of Long-Term Healthcare Management in order to promote safety and establish healthy group dynamics among individuals and groups. This course will examine the theories of communication and methods to foster a culture of healthy informational dynamics.  A case study approach will be utilized to equip individuals with skills for managing conflicts and resolving issues through negotiation. Students will develop a deeper self-awareness of their role in the resolution of conflicts among groups and individuals. 3-0-3

LTHM 4000 - Behavioral Management of Dementia, Delirium, Depression and Dual-Diagnoses

This course will examine the biopsychosocial effects of dementia, delirium, depression and dual-diagnoses in the older adult. The anatomical and pathophysiologic conditions will be reviewed and current treatment modalities will be explored in order to provide holistic care to the individual and family. An interdisciplinary approach will be utilized to formulate short term and long-term goals to improve the healthy wellbeing of  the individual and family. Pharmacologic and behavioral therapies will be explored in order to promote health and improve cognitive functioning. 6-0-6

LTHM 4100 - Lifestyle Management: Health Promotion, Nutrition and Exercise

The perceptions of health promotion, disease management, social connectivity, spirituality, healthy relationships boundaries, personal safety and injury prevention will be explored. An emphasis will be placed on developing a holistic plan to promote optimal wellness through healthy behaviors, exercise, nutrition and positive lifestyle choices. 3-0-3

LTHM 4102 - Human Resource Management Strategies

The course will examine strategic healthcare resource management and strategic planning with an emphasis on creating synergistic interdisciplinary teams. Topics will include the essential skills for recruitment, interviews, onboarding, and enculturation of employees into an organization. Performance appraisal and evaluation methodologies will be highlighted. The U.S. Department of Labor Laws, the National Labor Relations Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Affirmative Action Laws and Civil Rights Act will be reviewed as well as the Family Medical Leave Act. Individuals will conduct a literature review of best practices from peer reviewed human resource management journals. 3-0-3

LTHM 4103 - Long-Term Healthcare Marketing

Healthcare marketing is essential for establishing and sustaining long-term healthcare delivery. This course will analyze community demographics through a needs assessment in order to develop a targeted marketing strategy for organizations. An emphasis will be placed on building community partnerships which lead to referrals from healthcare partners and managed care case managers. Targeted internet marketing strategies will be examined in order to promote organizational quality and care delivery excellence in branding.   3-0-3

LTHM 4200 - Capstone: Systematic Research Project in Long-Term Healthcare Management

Individuals will select a current topic in long-term Healthcare Management, write a PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison or Condition, Outcome), complete a SWOT analysis and utilize peer-reviewed research articles to synthesize data from the literature to write a scholarly article for publication. An emphasis is placed on utilizing qualitative and quantitative research principles, practices, and applications involved with analysis, synthesis, and utilization of data. (Prerequisite Math 2280) 6-0-6

LTHM 4201 - End of Life, Palliative and Hospice Care

This course will examine the concept of death as a normal life process and will equip individuals with guidelines and tools available for providing end of life care. Best practices in pain control and symptom management for complex disease processes and supportive care will be reviewed. A conceptual model for understanding the dying process will be the focus of this course. Withholding and withdrawing of treatment will be explored as related to the process of allowing a natural death in a facility or in the home environment. 3-0-3

LTHM 4202 - Accreditation – A Culture of Excellence

Accreditation in healthcare is a standard of excellence that demonstrates a commitment to the principles of achieving quality outcomes rooted in best practices. Institutions complete a self-assessment of standards and criteria to assess their level of performance in order to meet and exceed industry standards. This voluntary process demonstrates an ability to meet standards and regulatory requirements and fosters a commitment to continuous quality improvement. This course will examine the accreditation standards and strategies which contribute to achievement of accreditation. 3-0-3

LTHM 4203 - Complementary and Alternative Therapies

This course will provide an overview of complementary and alternative therapies which can be used to improve the quality of life and promote healing through self-care. Aromatherapy, acupuncture, acupressure art, Chiropractic, creative writing, dance therapy, hypnosis, meditation, massage, music therapy, poetry, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), tai chi and yoga will be discussed. A review of evidence-based peer reviewed literature will be conducted to examine current trends in therapy.   3-0-3