Week 2: Strategies for being well

Last week, we looked at how perceptions of ageing can influence the ageing process. This week, we move on to important areas for successful ageing: mental health and quality of life.

This week:

• Quality of life is a term often used in the media and in research when talking about older adults. Dr Eithne Sexton explores what quality of life is and provides instruments for measuring quality of life. What does quality of life mean to you?

• Research Assistant Professor in Psychology Sabina Brennan shows you some of the most current research on brain ageing, and why decline in mental health is not inevitable.

• Worry, fear and depression are often behaviours we come up against in our daily lives. Professor of Old Age Psychiatry Brian Lawlor gives you tips and strategies for managing fear and worry, and will explore depression.

• Professor in Social Policy and Ageing Virpi Timonen looks at the different dimensions of intergenerational family solidarity.

• Dr Mary Ni Lochlainn investigates sexual relationships and intimacy in older age, offering you tips for maintaining intimacy in later life.

• Dr David Thomas offers you guidance on how to better plan your visits to your health care professional.

We would like to thank you again for your comments. We encourage you to read comments from other learners, like those you agree with, and add in ideas of your own.