Course Summary

Introduction

Unit 1: The Effects Of Ageing

What it is that makes us recognisable as older persons, ways of looking at ageing and some of the characteristics of older people.

Unit 2: Quality Of Life

What older people regard as important in order to have a reasonably good quality of life, factors that affect quality of life, and societal attitudes towards ageing.

Unit 3: Positive Ageing

The concept and what it means, what people can do about the effects of ageing, the United Nations principles for older persons as they relate to independence, self-fulfilment and dignity.

Unit 4: Well Being

The concept, how older persons express their feelings of well-being, some findings from research.

Unit 5: Retirement

Why people retire, its effects on individuals and on families, on income and on health, advantages of planning for retirement.

Unit 6: Retirement Health And Income

The importance of good health, research findings on the effects of retirement on health, the importance of income, the Australian government age pension, planning strategies to improve health and well-being.

Unit 7: The Importance Of Work

Why older people work, volunteering compared with paid and unpaid work, the benefits of volunteering, need for a smooth transition from full-time paid work to retirement.

Unit 8: Participation In Voluntary Work

The value of voluntary work to the volunteer and to the country, why people do voluntary work; problems experienced by volunteers and by organisations.

Unit 9: Ageing In Perspective

Ageing of the Australian population with some comparisons with what is happening in other countries, economic implications for the country and for older people.