Learn Strategies for Health in Older Age
We are all getting older each day. It is an inevitable fact of life. However, many of us do not plan for older age. We don't take the steps we could do to make the transition as seamless as it could be.
- Explore how both body and mind can be better managed as we age through the choices made and actions taken.
- Eating and exercising well are part of it, but with increased age it also becomes more important to monitor wellbeing and act early and appropriately to issues as they arise.
Why are You Considering this Course?
You may want to understand healthy aging so you can better manage your own aging, or others in your family. Other people will wish to study this course to train for working with elderly people, perhaps as a service provider. This course is well suited to professional development or as a foundation training program for anyone working with aging or aged people.
Different People Age at Different Rates
The physical and mental state of your body can be affected by both genetics and surroundings; but also very much by your attitude and actions.
Aging is not simply a matter of the number of years a person has lived. People ‘age’ (Vb.) or grow older at different points over a lifetime. Many factors impact how we age and to what extent we age. So as a result, we see diversity in people of older age. Some have experienced little consequence of an aging body, whereas others are exposed to common deterioration. Of course, we cannot overlook the point that aging as a process can be influenced by other life transitions.
The World Health Organisation define the
biological process of aging as resulting:
“From the impact of the accumulation of
a wide variety of molecular and cellular damage over time. This leads to a
gradual decrease in physical and mental capacity, a growing risk of disease and
ultimately death”.
Some people can have more cellular and molecular damage in their 40's than others in their 60's or 70's. Death may be inevitable for everyone, but aging can be a slower and much easier process if you have a greater awareness. Learn to better manage factors that impact quality of life
Lesson Structure
There are 9 lessons in this course:
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The Aging Process
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Introduction the Aging Process
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Biological Definition of Death
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Approaches to Resilient Aging
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Gender Disparities in Aging
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Physical Changes & Development
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Cognitive Changes & Development
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Personal Changes & Development
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Social Changes & Development
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Monitoring Health
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Introduction
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Health Events and Specialists
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Control of the Heart and Lungs During Exercise
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Blood Pressure
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Blood Disorders
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Weight and Obesity
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The Use of Diuretics
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Over Counter Medicines & Prescription Drugs
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Adapting to a Different Mindset
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Psychological Wellbeing
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Adjusting to Growing Older
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Loss Aversion
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Bridge’s Transition Model of Change
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Habit and the Brain
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Grief and Aging
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Types of Grief
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Managing Diet
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Introduction to Healthy Eating
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Food Pyramids
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Food Plates
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Frequency of Eating
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Healthy Digestion
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Developing Routines for Optimal Digestion and Nutritional Health
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Deterioration in Digestive Health and Elimination Systems
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Managing Physical Wellbeing
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Physical Changes
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Heart Disease
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Respiratory Disease
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Ways to Optimise Health
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Psychological and Social Wellbeing
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Introduction to Psychological and Social Wellbeing
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Difficulties Differ
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Dementia
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The Effect of Dementia
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Social Support
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Benefits of Lifelong Learning
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Therapies
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Introduction
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Medication
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Alternative Therapies
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Psychotherapy and Counselling
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Creative, Eco- and Pet Assistance Therapies
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Interventions
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Healthcare and Medical Interventions
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Pain Related Interventions
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Health Literacy
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End of Life Care (Palliative Care)
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Preparing for Approaching Death
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Making Activity and Environmental Adjustments
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Sleep
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Anxiety
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Stress
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Changing the Environment
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Course Conclusion
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Describe influences on physical, cognitive, personal, and social development from middle-age onwards.
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Explain different methods of monitoring health in older people.
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Discuss how a person’s state of mind can be best assisted in adjusting to old age.
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Explain dietary issues associated with aging, and options for managing those issues.
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Explain physical issues associated with aging, and options for managing those issues.
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Describe options for managing the psychological and social wellbeing of older people.
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Explain the use of various therapeutic techniques for treating the effects of aging.
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Describe interventions that apply to changing circumstances in aging people.
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Identify and implement changes in the environment and day to day activities of a person as they move through the stages of aging.
AGING CHANGES A PERSON - SO HOW WE TREAT OURSELVE NEEDS TO CHANGE ACCORDINGLY
As individuals age, their circumstances and needs may change, requiring interventions that can effectively respond to these changes. It isn't just the physical body that changes. Our psychology changes too.
Staying active not only keeps you living longer, but also improves quality of life. Changes in the body though will mean you might need to move, exercise and eat differently. Changes in the mind and body may require you to adjust your environment and your attitudes.
Timely interventions are key to sustainable and healthy change, when an individual first notices the pressure of change this is when they are most likely to adapt to the new requirement. Early intervention should be a key goal for aging individuals and an open mind to change is the best way to allow such intervention to take place. If a person seeks help early on for a physical health condition, for example, they may be able to maintain or even improve their physical health or put back the impact of the condition more into the future.
Eat Well
What is “healthy” changes regularly as more research and findings reveal how different foods and nutrients affect our health. The way foods are prepared can also make a big difference to its effect on our wellbeing. So, it is important to be aware of that when looking at a healthy diet.
Healthy eating really means ensuring a diet is diverse. Some traditions will go further and work a diet that is tailored to the seasons and weather, as our personal energy needs change at different times.
The consensus is that people should consume a wide variety of food types. However, not all food types should be eaten in equal measure. All foods can be eaten in moderation, but some should be eaten more, and others eaten less. Over time, sticking to a diet in this way will have health benefits.
Get Checked Regularly
Regular medical check-ups and consultations with healthcare professionals are essential for identifying and addressing age-related health concerns. Healthcare interventions may include medication management, treatment plans for chronic conditions, preventive care measures, rehabilitation programs, and specialised care for age-related ailments.
WHO MIGHT THIS COURSE BENEFIT?
This course could be for people who work with adults:
- in preventative health
- in health intervention
- in assistive therapies
- in creative therapies
- in volunteering
- in-homes and in families
- in residential care and other facilities
Others who deal with with older people may find value from this course too. Consider those who encounter different ages in their work; or who have less direct contact with people, but offer services that cater for mature client’s needs, for example, people working in:
- fitness and leisure centres
- hospitality and tourism
- medical centres and hospitals
- community centres and social groups
- retail outlets
There are many options available to older people to help improve their mental and physical health. Some may prefer traditional therapies, others may prefer alternative therapies, or a mix of both.
Learn about how best to help our older generations, learn healthy aging.
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