Modern society faces the challenge of an ageing population. Globally, between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of adults older than 60 years is projected to double from 11% to 22%, and the number is expected to grow from 605 million to more than 2 billion.
This demographic shift will lead to a rising disease burden with profound implications for health care and practice. Evidence suggests that adopting and adhering to healthy lifestyles in middle or older age can reduce risks for chronic disease and mortality. Therefore, it is important to identify opportunities for lifestyle changes in middle to older age to promote healthy ageing.
Transitioning out of the workforce represents one such critical moment for lifestyle modification. Retirement is associated with changes in time availability and flexibility and may also allow individuals to rethink habitual behaviours and establish new routines.
For some people, retirement planning conjures up images of languid days free from the demands of the daily grind, but for others the prospect of leaving the workforce may be a daunting or even frightening transition.
For most, this major milestone will elicit a mixture of emotions that fall somewhere between anticipation and apprehension. Retirement is, in fact, a complex experience for almost everyone, characterised by gains and losses and tremendous shifts in identity and routines.
This module within the Retirement Planning course aims to highlight key areas that will help individuals make this monumental transition. A physically, mentally and emotionally balanced body can withstand ill health and delay the onset of stereotypical age related disease and/or immobility.
The Human body is a sophisticated machine beyond the realms of human comprehension. How we fuel it, hydrate it, rest it and repair it are ever evolving ideals, subject to daily contradiction and progressive research.
During this module we will identify nutritional balance and how we go about getting the balance right when it comes to food choices.
Water is a major element in making life on earth sustainable- we will discuss and re evaluate its importance at each and every cellular level.
DO we ever get advice on how to build ourselves up after vaccinations and/or antibiotics? We will briefly discuss ways to approach this area that is crucial to replenishing homeostasis in the body.
Sugar will be identified as the drug that it is, and some will be surprised by the power of marketing when particular consumables are highlighted including alcohol.
Exercise, relaxation and breathing for stress reduction will all be evaluated and varied approaches to exercise routines will be discussed.
The module will conclude with a short workshop on self maintenance in relation to injury and musculoskeletal pain management. Daily postures spanning the professional career, can drastically contribute to neuromuscular pain. It is important that individuals are aware how to reverse or at least manage occupational related pain or stiffness.
