The Ageing Well Public Talk Series (AWPTS), a novel
educational intervention co-produced with and for the public, was founded on the
principles of the innovative model ‘Five Pillars for Ageing Well’ (5P). AWPTS
is the result of a public education portfolio, developed over 18 years, and the
principles of 5P consolidated in a co-produced intervention for disease
prevention. AWPTS is a highly adaptable tool for also addressing the
needs of diverse groups requiring tailored interventions, for instance, heart
failure and diabetes, where prevention and sustained self-management are
crucial for improving quality of life.
Since 2019, over 25,000 members of the public have engaged with the talks nationally, and the AWPTS portfolio of resources has engaged over 90,000 people globally; our regular feedback confirms that this intervention has increased knowledge of age-related processes, attitudes to health and wellbeing, confidence in self-management and lifestyle choices for healthy ageing among the public as well as practitioners, professionals, and clinicians who support ageing populations in their professional roles.
The Five Pillars for Ageing Well
-
Five pillars of ageing well
Watch now to access more details of Five pillars of ageing wellDr Jitka Vseteckova provides easy to follow advice on how to stay healthy in five steps.
Level: 1 Introductory
Good nutritional habits can help us prevent and/or manage diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Our brain also needs nutrients and is very sensitive when it doesn’t get what it needs to function well. It’s important to be aware of your own specific nutrition requirements and adjust your food choices accordingly for good health in older age. These free resources look at the importance of nutrition and healthy eating while ageing.
-
Intuitive eating: a new relationship with food, or another fad diet?
Read now to access more details of Intuitive eating: a new relationship with food, or another fad diet?Dr Sinead Eccles explores the relationships between food, diets, and intuitive eating.
-
The science of nutrition and healthy eating
Learn more to access more details of The science of nutrition and healthy eatingThis free course, The science of nutrition and healthy eating, looks at the science behind nutrition, covering aspects of biology, chemistry and physics as well as giving some insight into healthier eating. Reading food labels, choosing healthier foods, hydrating appropriately and understanding how we taste food will allow you to be more ...
-
Nutritional psychiatry is the future of mental health treatment
Read now to access more details of Nutritional psychiatry is the future of mental health treatmentIt is time for medical education to take nutrition seriously argues Dr Joyce Cavaye, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at The Open University.
Do you want to become more aware of your eating habits? The ‘My Eat Well Diary’ link below explains how to use that awareness to ensure your body has the nourishment it needs for daily wellbeing and long-term health.
Our basic metabolic rate decreases naturally with ageing. Mild dehydration slows our metabolic rate and organ function even more, in addition to the age-related changes. Usually, the older we are, the more adversely dehydration can affect physical and mental performance and increase feelings of tiredness. Functions usually affected by dehydration include memory, attention, concentration and reaction time. These free resources look at the importance of hydration while ageing.
-
How to keep your kidneys healthy
Read now to access more details of How to keep your kidneys healthyLet's celebrate World Kidney Day, a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys. This article explores how we can promote good kidney health and emphasis is placed on the preventative aspects of care, to minimise the risk of kidney disease.
-
Medicines and personalisation
Read now to access more details of Medicines and personalisationIn a series of articles, Dr Jitka Vseteckova and Sonal Mehta look at strategies to support pharmacotherapy while ageing. Here Sonal explores ways in which we can achieve person-centred care, available to all.
-
Pharmacotherapy while ageing
Watch now to access more details of Pharmacotherapy while ageingAs we age, we're at risk of having multiple long-term health conditions - this can require multiple medications. This article explores the impact multiple medications have on the body.
Do you want to know if you’re taking in enough water for day-to-day wellbeing and your health in later life? Select the link below to get your booklet, ‘My Hydration Diary’.
Staying active helps us prevent and/or manage hypertension, depression, stress, and Type 2 diabetes and manage our weight. Staying active has many benefits. By building our overall fitness, we are also building and increasing our physical, psychological and emotional resilience.The World Health Organisation suggests you aim to be physically active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. See below for more information about the importance of physical activity and tips for getting and staying active.
-
Addressing health inequalities in greenspaces to age well: Part I socio-economic and transport access inequalities
Read now to access more details of Addressing health inequalities in greenspaces to age well: Part I socio-economic and transport access inequalitiesNatural spaces are beneficial to health and wellbeing and can help people to age well but there are a number of barriers to these in our society. This article explores these inequalities and what's being done to address them.
-
Addressing health inequalities in greenspaces to age well: Part II diversity and safety
Read now to access more details of Addressing health inequalities in greenspaces to age well: Part II diversity and safetyHow can a collaborative response from managers of greenspaces, park users and other stakeholders help address health and wellbeing inequalities?
-
Exercise and mental health
Learn more to access more details of Exercise and mental healthEach year thousands of pounds are spent on medications to treat conditions such as anxiety and depression. These medications often have negative side effects. Exercise is an alternative treatment that is low cost and has few side effects. In this free course, Exercise and mental health, we will look at the links between exercise and improved ...
-
Talking about the menopause: symptoms, support and the role of exercise
Learn more to access more details of Talking about the menopause: symptoms, support and the role of exerciseThis free OpenLearn course is designed to help anyone whose life is affected by the menopause. No matter what gender you identify with, this transitional phase can affect people in all sorts of ways, so this course is open to all. The objectives are to empower everyone, by increasing knowledge of what the menopause is and the effects it can ...
-
Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role
Learn more to access more details of Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring roleAre you a carer? Or do you work with a carer, or know someone who one? This free course, Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role, is designed to give an insight into the demands, both physically and mentally, of the caring role and look at how taking part in physical activity can offer benefits to the health and wellbeing ...
-
Depression, mood and exercise
Read now to access more details of Depression, mood and exerciseLooking for a few tips on increasing your mood? Dr Jitka Vseteckova explores the relationship between depression and exercise.
Being active can help you keep a healthy body and mind, plus it can help you stay independent as you age. Find out whether you’re getting the required amount of physical activity to age well – download the ‘My Get Active Diary’ link below.
Our brains are amazing, and no matter how old we are, we can still learn new things – even if somewhat slower. The motto associated with ageing, ‘Use it or lose it!’, is something for us to keep in mind when thinking about functions we may need to regularly ‘exercise’ if we don’t want to lose them. See below for some tips on how to keep our brains active and healthy for longer.
-
A hug for the brain: what does it mean to have a happy, healthy brain?
Read now to access more details of A hug for the brain: what does it mean to have a happy, healthy brain?Dr Sinead Eccles explores the function of a healthy brain in regulating our health.
-
The ageing brain: 'use it or lose it'
Read now to access more details of The ageing brain: 'use it or lose it'What happens to our brains as we age and is there anything we can do to prevent memory loss and brain shrinkage? This article digs into the research...
-
What happens to our brain as we age and how can we stop the decline?
Read now to access more details of What happens to our brain as we age and how can we stop the decline?How does the brain age and what can be done to decrease the onset of dementia? This article has many handy tips for people with dementia and their carers.
-
Sense of self during ageing: how mindfulness and nature can help
Read now to access more details of Sense of self during ageing: how mindfulness and nature can helpHow can the great outdoors help us to age well? It's all in understanding the ageing process, acceptance and the quest for purpose, say the experts.
-
What do we need to know about our memory?
Read now to access more details of What do we need to know about our memory?Our brain changes as we age, but are there any ways we can improve our memory and thinking skills? This article explores...
-
Ageing well by connecting and learning about nature outdoors
Read now to access more details of Ageing well by connecting and learning about nature outdoorsHow can citizen science help with the physical, cognitive and social aspects associated with ageing well?
Are you wondering how you can boost your brain health? The way we go about our daily lives can impact our memory and ageing brain – find out more in the ‘My Brain Health Diary’ link below.
Loneliness and social isolation have long been known to seriously impact physical and mental health, quality of life and longevity. Engaging with people and the world around us and nurturing good social connections remains important. Living with others, weekly community group engagement, regular interaction with family and friends, and rarely feeling lonely, are all associated with slower cognitive decline. Explore the free resources below for inspiration.
-
Sense of self during ageing: how mindfulness and nature can help
Read now to access more details of Sense of self during ageing: how mindfulness and nature can helpHow can the great outdoors help us to age well? It's all in understanding the ageing process, acceptance and the quest for purpose, say the experts.
-
Outdoor Therapy: The Benefits of Walking and Talking
Read now to access more details of Outdoor Therapy: The Benefits of Walking and TalkingAn area that has been of particular interest is providing traditional talking therapy outdoors. This article explores the pros of connecting with the natural world...
-
How to make the most out of our visit to the Great Outdoors: walking with The Parks Trust and staying mindful
Read now to access more details of How to make the most out of our visit to the Great Outdoors: walking with The Parks Trust and staying mindfulA new resource aimed to help people with dementia engage with their surroundings has been developed by The Parks Trust in Partnership with The Open University. This article explains more...
-
The impact of walking and socialising through 5 Ways Café on people living with dementia and their carers: A volunteer’s perspective
Read now to access more details of The impact of walking and socialising through 5 Ways Café on people living with dementia and their carers: A volunteer’s perspectiveThe 5 Ways Dementia Friendly Café in Milton Keynes includes a guided walk for those with dementia. Andrew, a volunteer from the cafe explains more about the project with The Open University and Park's Trust...
-
Engaging with our environment: what are the benefits?
Read now to access more details of Engaging with our environment: what are the benefits?How can a citizen science project, a guided community walk or a park visit help our wellbeing? This article explores how to engage with the outdoors.
-
The benefits of outdoor green and blue spaces
Read now to access more details of The benefits of outdoor green and blue spacesThe COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased focus on the value of participating in nature. This article explores how outdoor spaces can improve our mental health.
We all need social connection to thrive throughout our life but are you getting enough social contact? Check out the link below, ‘My Social Diary’, to take a look at your social habits and what you can do to improve your connections.
Next Steps
Take Five
Join Take Five to Age Well! The Take Five to Age Well pledge uses participatory principles based around the five pillars of ageing well to support people as they age. It builds on the success of the Ageing Well Public Talk Series (AWPTS), and strategic partnerships across the four UK Nations. This novel UK-wide initiative is exceptionally timely in preventing disease and ill health in older people, a significant public health aim. This novel UK-wide initiative is exceptionally timely in preventing disease and ill health in older people, a signifcant public health aim. Over 3,200 have pledged since September 2023 and engaged in guided healthier behaviours.
Like this? Try a FREE course
-
Midlife MOT: wealth, work and wellbeing
Learn more to access more details of Midlife MOT: wealth, work and wellbeingIntroducing your Midlife MOT. Your midlife years – that is, when you’re between about 40 and 60 – will probably be a very hectic time indeed. You might have ended up in a challenging job, or you might be working hard to get one. You could be looking after the kids, your parents or maybe both. Maybe you’re putting time and energy into a whole new...
-
Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role
Learn more to access more details of Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring roleAre you a carer? Or do you work with a carer, or know someone who one? This free course, Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role, is designed to give an insight into the demands, both physically and mentally, of the caring role and look at how taking part in physical activity can offer benefits to the health and wellbeing ...
-
Caring for an older family member with learning disabilities
Learn more to access more details of Caring for an older family member with learning disabilitiesWhether you are a parent or sibling caring for a relative with a learning disability, this free course, Caring for an older family member with learning disabilities, is designed to help you navigate the system as they grow older. It has been developed from a cutting-edge research project that explored how to improve the care and support for ...
-
Talking about the menopause: symptoms, support and the role of exercise
Learn more to access more details of Talking about the menopause: symptoms, support and the role of exerciseThis free OpenLearn course is designed to help anyone whose life is affected by the menopause. No matter what gender you identify with, this transitional phase can affect people in all sorts of ways, so this course is open to all. The objectives are to empower everyone, by increasing knowledge of what the menopause is and the effects it can ...
-
Exploring health: is your lifestyle really to blame?
Learn more to access more details of Exploring health: is your lifestyle really to blame?This free course, Exploring health: is your lifestyle really to blame?, explores the extent to which a person's 'lifestyle' impacts on their health and wellbeing. It also examines how non-lifestyle related factors – in particular social, economic, cultural and political dimensions – influence a person's health.
-
An introduction to death, dying and grief
Learn more to access more details of An introduction to death, dying and griefExplore interesting and challenging ideas around death, dying and grief. This free course, An introduction to death, dying and grief, invites you to think more deeply about death and dying and encourages you to think about it in different ways. This course will introduce you to different perspectives on death; ethical issues related to dying and...
Rate and Review
Rate this article
Review this article
Log into OpenLearn to leave reviews and join in the conversation.
Article reviews