Third Age Fitness

Lesson 1: Introduction to Older Adults
We define older adults as anyone over the age of 50. This is a huge percentage of the population, and therefore there is incredible diversity amongst this age group. Some are still working full time, some are caring for elderly parents, some are dealing with chronic illness, some are living in retirement villages - but all are dealing with aging bodies. We discuss some of their objectives and motivations, and also have a look at the challenges they are facing, in their personal lives, social lives, financially, emotionally, and physically. It’s a complex time for many.

Lesson 2: The Ageing Process - Physical Changes
The body is an amazing and complex machine of so many moving parts. And unfortunately as we age, all those moving parts start working a little slower, or start breaking down. Some of the physical changes that happen as we age include bone mass loss, osteoarthritis, muscle atrophy, changing body composition, and reduction in flexibility, co-ordination and agility. We talk about each of these and how they affect older adults, and some of the consequences that staff need to be aware of to best care for older adults.

Lesson 3: The Ageing Process - Physiological Changes
Not only are there physical changes that older adults can see and feel, but there are also a multitude of changes happening that they cannot see. These changes include memory loss, a decline in cognitive function, increasing reaction times, and an increased risk of falls. We’ll have a look at each of these and give staff suggestions for how they can help older adults overcome these challenges.

Lesson 4: The Ageing Process - Psychological Changes
Because of the scale and complexity of change that older adults are experiencing, their psychological health is greatly affected. This age group can be experiencing knocks to their confidence from a fall or bad experience, and are at a high risk of isolation, depression and anxiety. They might also be starting to ‘feel old’ and this can have its own set of challenges. We’ll have a look at these areas and help staff think of ways to adapt and support the older adults they meet in their workplace.

Lesson 5: Communication - What we say
When staff are communicating with an older adult at work, it’s usually for a reason - they’re serving them, they’re helping them, they’re making conversation. We want to make sure that staff are heard and understood, so staff need to be able to understand things from the perspective of the older adult, to make sure their message gets across. Here we talk about the language we use, to ensure that it’s appropriate, relevant, and encouraging for older adults.

Lesson 6: Communication - How we say it
We know that it’s not just what you say but how you say it. We have all experienced being brushed off, ignored, misunderstood or mocked - it’s not a nice feeling. Imagine if that was someone’s first interaction with your organisation? Let’s make sure that when we convey our message, it’s a positive one that leaves the older adult happy, as well as informed.

Lesson 7: How we can engage
A smile and a chat can completely make someone’s day, and we want to make sure our interactions give older adults the social and mental benefits they need. We want communities that value and encourage older adults to keep engaging, to play our part in looking after the generations that have come before us. Caring, showing respect, being present and being a friend are critical aspects of this. We’ll discuss these and show staff how they can develop positive relationships to build that spirit of community in your workplace.