Care of the Older Adult 2
This is the second course in a two-course Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice in the Care of the Older Adult.
This specialized certificate program is designed for nurse practitioners and experienced registered nurses seeking to enhance their expertise in geriatric care. Focused on the assessment and management of complex health conditions in older adults, this program is rooted in evidence-based practice.
Participants will develop proficiency in managing common acute and chronic diseases, including arthritis, gout, upper respiratory disease, COPD, thyroid disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. The curriculum provides specialized guidance on diagnosing and treating dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and vascular conditions such as peripheral vascular and arterial disease.
Additionally, learners will explore effective strategies for addressing continence issues, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, sleep disturbances, and weight loss. Learners will develop skills in prognostication, advance care planning, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), and symptom management for patients at the end of life, ensuring compassionate, patient-centered care.
Designed for application in diverse healthcare settings, this certificate equips clinicians with the critical knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality, individualized care for older adults facing complex health challenges.
Prerequisites:
Currently registered as a Nurse Practitioners or as a Registered Nurse. (The program is designed for RNs already in advanced practice roles).
Audience
Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses in advanced practice roles who wish to develop their competency, skill and knowledge in the care of older adults.
Certificate Criteria
Participants are not required to take all courses, and courses may be taken in any order. However, to earn the not-for-credit Certificate in Advanced Care of the Older Adult, participants must successfully complete both courses, normally over a 3 year period. A passing grade of 70% is set for each course. Courses offered by the Centre for Professional Development cannot be credited towards a degree program.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course the learner will be able to:
- Utilize best practices in assessment and management of common acute and chronic diseases such as arthritis, gout, upper respiratory disease, COPD, thyroid disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease.
- Develop effective approaches to the management of common conditions and symptoms such as continence, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, sleep disturbance and weight loss.
- Identify how to effectively assess and manage dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
- Assess client status and develop management plans for peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial disease.
- Develop skill in prognostication, advance care planning, MAiD and symptom management for patients at the end of life.
Course Format
This course is a fully online course taught through the University of Toronto’s Learning Portal – Quercus. Selected live sessions will be scheduled during the course with a focus on application of learning. Learners will have the option for an alternate learning activity if they are unable to attend a live session. Each week will consist of a recorded lecture by faculty who are expert clinicians in their field. Faculty will be available for questions through discussion board during the scheduled week for the module. Recommended reading for each week is carefully selected to complement the lecture content, and additional references and clinical resources are provided.
Graded assignments will be scheduled throughout the course and will include a final exam. Participants can expect to allocate a minimum of 5-10 hours a week for completion of a weekly module and allocate additional time for assignments. The time required will vary based on your learning needs and style of learning.
Care of the Older Adult 1
This is the first course in a two-course Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice in the Care of the Older Adult. This advanced certificate program is designed for nurse practitioners and experienced […]
| Time | Description | Faculty |
|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Focus on Common Conundrums – Continence, Urinary Tract Infection |
Donna Ruffo |
|
Week 2 |
Focus on Common Conundrums – Constipation, Diarrhea, Sleep Disturbance |
Donna Ruffo |
|
Week 3 |
Chronic Diseases, Comorbidities and Complexities – Arthritis, Gout, COPD, & Pneumonia |
Donna Ruffo |
|
Week 4 |
Chronic Diseases, Comorbidities and Complexities – Chronic Kidney Disease, Post Stroke Management |
Barb Bickle |
|
Week 5 |
Focus on Dehydration and Electrolyte Disorders
Indications requiring hospitalization |
Priscilla Flores |
|
Week 6 |
End of Life Care
MAiD |
Karen Lock |
|
Week 7 |
Common Conditions and Symptoms – Weight Loss and Nutrition, Thyroid Disease |
Donna Ruffo |
|
Week 8 |
Common Diseases and Symptoms – Peripheral Vascular and Arterial Disease |
Barb Bickle |
|
Week 9 |
Final Exam |
Course Director
Donna Ruffo, RN(EC), NP-Adult, MN, GNC(C)
Nurse Practitioner & Professional Practice Leader Nurse Practitioners
Geriatric Outreach Team, North York Hospital
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Faculty
Barb Bickle, RN(EC), MN
Attending Nurse Practitioner, The Wexford Residence LTC
Priscilla Flores, RN(EC), MN
Medical Program and Specialized Geriatric Services, North York General Hospital
Karen Lock
Nurse Practitioner, The Edwin S.H. Leong Geriatric Supportive Care Outreach Program & The Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care, North York General Hospital
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Registration Information
Fees
- Early Bird price (ends March 13, 2026)
- $900 + HST
- Regular price (starting March 14, 2026)
- $1008 + HST
- U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%*
- $855 + HST
- U of T Nursing Adjunct and Status Faculty save 15%**
- $855 + HST
- NPAO Member save 12%***
- $885 + HST
Site Groups
A group discount rate of 15% is available for site groups of three or more people. To book please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.
Please Note
- Refund Policy – To withdraw from a course, send a written request to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca by March 13, 2026. No refunds will be given after this date. All refunds are subject to an administrative fee of $100 + tax. Alternatively, a colleague may attend in your place. Please send your substitution request at least 3 days prior to the course to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.
- Registration Deadline: April 13, 2026.
- *U of T Nursing Alumni discount is available to participants who hold a BScN, MN, PMNP Diploma, MScN or PhD from the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
- **U of T Nursing Faculty discount is available to participants who hold a current (at time of registration) faculty position, an adjunct appointment or a status appointment to the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
- ***NPAO (Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario) members may register at the NPAO rate which is 12% off the regular rate. NOTE: All submissions will be checked and verified for current NPAO membership status using the registrant’s name.
- Applicable taxes (13% HST) will be added to the registration fees.
- Course Cancellation Policy – The Centre for Professional Development reserves the right to cancel courses due to circumstances. The decision to cancel a course is normally made 15 days prior to the course. If you are enrolled in a course which is subsequently cancelled, you may apply your fee to another course, or receive a full refund. The Centre is not responsible for any travel or other expenses incurred by you.