Ageing Well Public Talks 2022-23

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.

I have 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 & you can click on the links below to find more about our presenters.

_{Are we ready to live longer? - Jitka Vseteckova & Catherine Pestano 14}^th _{September 2022}

Jitka & Catherine introduce basic biomedical and psycho-social aspects of ageing, and some most common age-related conditions such as osteoporosis and frailty. We will explore menopause, andropause and how hormonal changes associate with ageing may affect us. 

_{Taking control of dying - Barbara Gale & Victoria Hedges October 19}^th ₂₀₂₂

Barbara & Victoria present on what are the things we don’t talk about & preparing for our death and as a relative preparing for someone else’s death. We will also talk about ways we can take some of the control over our dying and what are the ways we can co-create our care plans.

_{Memory and preserving Sense of Self while ageing and spending time outdoors - Helen Joannidi, Ellie Broad - November 2022 16}^th ₂₀₂₂

Helen & Ellie discuss age related and non-age-related memory loss and how to boost our memory. We also introduce sense of self and discuss how important it is for our health and wellbeing and how using mindfulness and present moment awareness of nature can help to preserve and maintain a sense of self and well-being. 

_{Equality, diversity and inclusion in access and provision of care in health services - Carlos Moreno Leguizamon Dec 14th 2022}

Carlos presents issues around equality, diversity and inclusion in access to provision and care in health services while ageing. We will also look into the topic of palliative care.

_{General Practice ‘COVID-19 and beyond’ Andrew Potter 18}^th _{January 2023}

Andy focuses on changes to general practice functioning (in how patients interact with GPs and the services on offer. GP surgeries now employ pharmacists, physios, social prescribers, paramedics and we will talk through these changes, looking specifically on how to navigate them and make the best use of what the GP practices offer today.

_{What should we know about nutrition and living with Diabetes Type 2. - Jitka Vseteckova & Alan Hastings 22}^nd _{February 2023}

Jitka & Alan discuss what we need to consider around nutrition while ageing and how to support people to eat regularly and well. We will also discuss nutrition and  living with Diabetes Type 2.

_{Relationships and intimacy while ageing - Andreas Vossler 15}^th _{March 2023}

Andreas focuses on things we usually don't talk about - especially around relationships, intimacy and ageing. The talk will cover assumptions and facts about sex and ageing, sexual health in older age, importance of intimacy and positive relationships in later life.

_{Let’s talk about sleep - Abigail Methley 19}^th _{April 2023}

Sleeping while ageing – why do we might struggle to get good night sleep and how to change that? In this talk Abi helps us understand why it is important to sleep well and enough and will include few practical tips on how to do so.

_{Health inequalities and ageing - Sonal Mehta 17}^th _{May 2023}

Sonal explores how health inequalities impact our ability to make the right lifestyle choices and what we can do to change that.

_{Ways to exercise while still having fun - Jackie Richards, David Curry 14th June 2023}

How do we build a strong and resilient musculoskeletal system and have fun at the same time? Jackie talks to us about dance and what are the benefits of dancing. What is creative dance and where can it take us? Dave will share with us his journey of walks combined with his passion for travelling. We will explore how to exercise well and enough but how can we also make it fun.

_{Ageing, later life and caring in LGBTQ communities - Joe DeLappe & Tony Collins July 12}^th ₂₀₂₃

The LGBTQ+ community is aging like other communities but are there different issues? In this talk Joe and Tony will explore what is the appropriate way to support the LGBTQ+ community to age well and how caring can work from an alternative family dynamic perspective.