The QQI Level 5 Care of the Older Person (5N2706) module is designed for individuals who are currently working in, or intending to pursue a career within, the healthcare sector, particularly in roles that involve supporting and caring for older adults. This includes healthcare assistants, social care workers, personal care assistants and support workers across residential, community and home care settings.

This module develops the essential knowledge and practical skills required to meet the needs of older people, including delivering personal care, supporting medical and daily living needs, and promoting independence, dignity and quality of life. Completion of this award is highly beneficial for anyone working in roles where a clear understanding of the ageing process and person-centred care for older adults is fundamental.

Successful completion of Care of the Older Person (5N2706) also serves as an elective component towards achieving the Healthcare Support Level 5 (5M4339) Major Award, supporting learners in building a full QQI Level 5 qualification in healthcare support.

To access programmes leading to the QQI Level 5 Care of the Older Person (5N2706) award, learners should have reached the standards of knowledge, skill and competence associated with Level 4 of the National Framework of Qualifications. This may have been achieved through a formal qualification or through relevant life and work experience.

Ideally, applicants will hold a minimum of a Level 4 certificate (or equivalent) and demonstrate a strong interest in providing quality care within a healthcare setting. As this course is delivered through blended learning with live online sessions, learners must have good written and spoken English, basic computer literacy skills, and access to appropriate technology (computer or tablet, broadband, email, webcam and microphone).

Learners should also be prepared to engage in self-directed study and complete both practical skills demonstrations and written assignments.

Attendance at all scheduled live online training sessions is essential. The course is delivered through five 3-hour instructor-led sessions via Zoom, and active participation is required. Learners must have their camera and microphone working, as attendance is monitored throughout each session.
Participants should ensure they have access to a quiet, uninterrupted space for the duration of each session and remain fully engaged in the learning activities. Full attendance and participation are necessary to successfully complete the skills demonstrations and assessments associated with this module.

If, for any reason, learners are unable to attend part of the course, they must let us know as soon as possible. While missing sessions may affect their ability to complete certain elements, such as exams or assessments, we are committed to supporting learners. Our team will do their best to work with learners to find a suitable solution and help learners stay on track towards successfully completing their programme.

On successful completion of the QQI Level 5 Care of the Older Person (5N2706) module, learners will be able to:

• Explain the ageing process and discuss key age-related issues, including healthy ageing, demographic trends, social attitudes and the physical and psychological changes associated with later life.
• Analyse the role of the healthcare assistant and the contribution of statutory and voluntary agencies in promoting positive ageing and supporting the wellbeing of older people.
• Identify and respond to the diverse needs of older people, including physical, emotional, social, psychological, spiritual and environmental needs, across a range of care settings.
• Support older people living with complex needs, including dementia, mental illness, chronic illness and end-of-life care, while working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Deliver person-centred care that promotes dignity, independence, empowerment, advocacy, respect and partnership with families and carers.
• Apply quality standards, effective communication and safe care practices, adapting care to meet cognitive, sensory and physical impairments, and promoting health and quality of life in older age.

This course is structured across 4 core units:

Unit 1 – Ageing Process

Unit 2 – Working with the Older Person

Unit 3 – Caring for older person with specific needs

Unit 4 – Care Settings

Assessment for the QQI Level 5 Care of the Older Person (5N2706) module is designed to evaluate both practical competence and theoretical understanding. Learners are assessed through the following methods:

Skills Demonstration – 60%

Learners are required to plan and carry out a practical activity involving an older person with a physical, sensory or psychological impairment. This must include:

• A recorded demonstration of the activity
• A written report outlining planning, implementation and reflection

All skills demonstrations must be recorded by the learner and submitted for assessment. Clear video and audio quality are essential to ensure the assessor can accurately evaluate performance against QQI standards.

Project – 40%

Learners must complete a written project on healthy ageing, exploring key issues related to ageing, the role of the healthcare assistant, services for older people, holistic needs and quality standards in care.

Both components must be successfully completed to achieve the QQI minor award in Care of the Older Person (5N2706).

Assignments and Skills Demonstration recordings must be submitted within 2 weeks of course completion to the CPL Institute using the submission link in your course confirmation email or by using the submission link on the CPL Institute website – www.cplinstitute.com

• If you have any issues, please email us at support@cplinstitute.com
• If learners do not request an extension in writing prior to the submission date of their assignment / project, it will be treated as a non-submission, and learners will receive zero marks.

Appeals

All participants have the right to appeal their result and all appeals will be dealt with in accordance with the the CPL Institute QQI appeals procedure. All participants who successfully complete the written and practical assignments will be awarded with a QQI level 5 Care Skills certificate and the appropriate credits under the national framework of qualifications will then be obtained by the learner. Participants will be given clear guidelines on how the assignment and skills demonstration should be completed.

All participants’ names, gender, DOB and PPS numbers must be supplied to the CPL Institute as part of QQI certification requirements.

• Learners must have access to a laptop/computer with a webcam and mic, along with a internet connection – broadband wired or wireless.
• Learners will also require Microsoft Word or similar software to complete a written assessment as part of the course programme.
• Learners must have access to a recording device (smartphone or tablet) with clear video and audio quality.

Technical Support

If learners have any academic or IT issues, they can contact at support@cplinstitute.com from 8.30am until 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of hours contact info@cplinstitute.com and if their query is deemed urgent, we will reply as soon as we can.

On registering for the course, you will receive an email with the following attachments: 

• Project Brief – Learners will be required to read this important information so they can prepare for their final assignment following the course.
• Skills Demonstration Brief – Learners will be required to read this important information so they can prepare for their skills demonstration.
• Care of the Older Person Learner Handbook – Learners will be required to read this as part of their self-directed study.
• CPL Learner Information Handbook – designed to provide you with essential information to support your academic journey, including our policies, resources, and services available to you.
• QQI Learner Information Sheet – Learners will be required to read this document and ensure they are aware of all QQI processes and procedures.
• QQI Award Specifications – This document includes full details of the Learning Outcomes, Assignment details and progression information of their QQI course.
• Calendar Appointments – These diary invites can be opened and saved to the learner online calendars

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland’s further and higher education system.  They ensure that learners achieve qualifications that are valued nationally and internationally, and they provide trusted information on the qualifications included on the National Framework of Qualifications.

For more information on Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and what they do, click on this link to access their website. 

QQI Certificate Timelines

Please note that depending on when their assignments have been submitted, corrected and internally verified it may be a few months before learners will receive their Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) certificate.

QQI only allow organisations to upload courses every two months – February, April, June, August, October and December. After we upload to QQI, it is then a number of weeks before we receive the certificates back from QQI.

Further Progression

Learners who achieve this award may transfer into programmes leading to the Healthcare Support Level 5 (5M4339) Major Award.

For more details on the full course specifications and credit values, click on the link below:

NFQ Level 5 – Care of the Older Person 5N2706