Ageing Well Public Talks Series 2025_2026 Synopsis

In the 'Ageing Well Public Talk series' we are exploring how important it is, over our lifespan, to maintain well-balanced nutrition and hydration as well as regular physical and social activity in older age, also known as the 'Five Pillars of Ageing Well'. Ageing demonstrates most significantly when we reach a certain age, the usual benchmark being 65+, but ageing starts much sooner and the way ageing demonstrates when we are over 65 depends on decisions, we have been making over our life span.

The series and related materials such as ‘The Five Pillars of Ageing Well’ became the cornerstones of further engagement with the public, specifically around COVID-19 and the relating self-isolation, which are now available on the OU website and the Internet.

The overall aim of these series of interventions is to facilitate a step change in user behaviour and support service provision. Self-management and becoming partner in our own health care is an important aspect of these talks. This may have a wider impact in healthcare economies, as ageing and related co-morbidities have a substantial health and economic burden footprint.

Dr Jitka Vseteckova has been presenting the ‘Ageing Well’ Lecture Series in collaboration with Third Age University and Free Time University overseas and more recently with primary care practices in the UK. Currently also collaborating with Age UK MK, Public Health Northamptonshire, Carers MK, UKeMED & Cambridge Medical Academy, East of England Academic Health Science Network and the and Voluntary Health Scotland on delivering ‘Ageing Well Public Talks’.

All talks last between 60-90 min, A synopsis for each talk is contained in this document.