Existential Well-being in Later Life and Professional Competence in Care Encounters

About

The course explores existential well-being in the context of ageing, understood as a multidimensional phenomenon related to meaning, vulnerability, relationality, and experiences of finitude in later life. Particular attention is paid to professional competence in care encounters, focusing on how existential concerns become visible, articulated, or remain unspoken in everyday professional practice with older people.

The course introduces interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives and invites students to critically examine how these perspectives can be used to interpret and reflect on real-life care situations. Through guided reflection and structured learning activities, students are encouraged to consider the possibilities and limits of professional action when addressing existential questions in care contexts

Course leader

Suvi-Maria Saarelainen (suvi-maria.saarelainen@uef.fi)

Target group

Basic knowledge of care, social sciences, theology, health sciences, or related fields. The course is suitable for bachelor’s and master’s level students; doctoral students may be admitted on a case-by-case basis

Fee info