Healthy Ageing
Complete Healthy Ageing Course
Everything for ageing well in one place: movement, food, connection and health checks, with planners to help you stay independent for longer.
A$34.99Buy
Healthy ageing courses for an active, independent later life
Five courses on eating well, building strength and balance, preventing falls and supporting an older parent, based on Australian activity and dietary guidelines.
- 5 courses
- Tools in every course
- Certificate included
Staying active is one of the best ways to keep doing the things you enjoy. Healthdirect suggests adults aged 65 and over do about 30 minutes of moderate activity on most, preferably all, days, and three 10-minute bouts count. Strength exercises twice a week, flexibility work twice a week and balance activities such as tai chi or heel-to-toe walking help reduce the risk of falls.
Food needs change with age too. Eat for Health recommends 4 dairy or alternative serves a day for women from 51, and 3½ for men over 70, while some other serves become a little smaller. Protein for older adults is one of the priority topics in the NHMRC's current review of the dietary guidelines. A poor appetite or weight loss you did not plan is worth taking to a GP early.
Our healthy ageing courses are practical and written for older adults and the families who support them. If you or a parent need help at home, My Aged Care is the Australian Government's starting point for aged care services, and family carers can get free support through Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
All healthy ageing courses
Healthy Ageing
Nutrition for Older Adults
Practical eating for later life, with a malnutrition risk checker, easy meal planner, hydration tracker and appetite boosters.
A$27.99Buy
Healthy Ageing
Strength for Older Adults
Chair-based strength for later life, with a before-you-start checklist, exercise cards, a 12-week plan and a progress log.
A$27.99Buy
Healthy Ageing
Balance and Everyday Mobility (Falls Prevention)
Stay steady at home and out and about, with a room-by-room hazard check, balance exercise cards and a clear plan if you do fall.
A$27.99Buy
Healthy Ageing
Supporting an Ageing Parent
From the first worries to real help: a needs checklist, care options comparison sheet, appointments log and family planner.
A$32.99Buy
Which healthy ageing course to choose
- The full picture: The Complete Healthy Ageing Course covers activity, food, social connection and keeping on top of health appointments.
- Eating well in later life: Nutrition for Older Adults looks at protein, calcium, fluids and small appetites, with an easy meal planner.
- Building strength: Strength for Older Adults is a 12-week chair-based plan with exercise cards.
- Staying steady: Balance and Everyday Mobility combines a home hazard checklist with balance exercises and a falls diary.
- Looking after a parent: Supporting an Ageing Parent helps families work out needs, compare care options and share responsibilities.
What the healthy ageing tools do
- Chair-based and balance exercise cards: clear steps for each move, with easier and harder versions.
- Home falls hazard checklist and falls diary: spot trip risks room by room and record any slips or near misses.
- Malnutrition risk checker and hydration tracker: notice early signs of eating or drinking too little. The checker signposts to a GP; it does not diagnose.
- Easy meal planner and appetite ideas list: small, nourishing meals for when appetite is low.
- Needs checklist and care options comparison sheet: work out what help is needed and weigh up the choices as a family.
When to get help
Call 000 after a fall if the person has hit their head and is drowsy or confused, cannot get up, or may have broken a bone.
See a GP about any fall, even without injury, and about new dizziness or unsteadiness, weight loss you did not plan, a poor appetite that lasts, or changes in memory or confusion.
Healthdirect's nurse line, 1800 022 222, gives health advice at any time of day or night.
Healthy ageing courses: your questions
How much activity should I do after 65?
Healthdirect suggests about 30 minutes of moderate activity on most, preferably all, days, plus strength and flexibility exercises twice a week and some balance work, such as tai chi. You can split the 30 minutes into three 10-minute bouts.
How many dairy serves do older adults need?
Eat for Health suggests 4 serves a day for women aged 51 and over, and 2½ serves for men aged 51 to 70, rising to 3½ for men over 70. A serve is a cup of milk, 40 g of hard cheese or 200 g of yoghurt.
Is it too late to start strength training?
No. Muscles respond to regular strength exercise at any age. The chair-based plan starts gently, and a word with your GP first is sensible if you have a long-term condition or have had a fall.
Can I do these courses for my mum or dad?
Yes. Many people take the courses to help a parent, and the supporting a parent course is written for family members.
Do the courses replace an aged care assessment?
No. If an older person needs support at home, contact My Aged Care to arrange an assessment. The courses help you prepare questions and compare options.
Official sources
- healthdirect: Physical activity guidelines for older adults
- Eat for Health: Recommended number of serves for adults
- NHMRC: Australian Dietary Guidelines review, frequently asked questions
- Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences (Standard 6)
- My Aged Care
- Carer Gateway: Access Carer Gateway services
Ten minutes of balance a day
Open the balance course, walk through the home hazard checklist and try two exercise cards today.