Sarah Bowman (Host)
Director of Strategic Engagement
Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability
Trinity College Dublin
Website: https://www.tcd.ie/tcaid
Location Dublin, Ireland
Activity
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Sarah Bowman (Host) made a comment
Great comments. I have enjoyed reading them - thanks. I remember when my first child was born and my husband suggested I go for a walk and take some time for myself. I cried putting my coat on, but having a partner who saw me as both a new mother and as someone who also needed care was a significant moment for me in my postpartum recovery and strengthened our...
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Many thanks, Yvonne, for the kind comment. I've really enjoyed engaging with learners in this course as there is an incredible amount of knowledge from significant hands-on experience.
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I definitely have white coat syndrome and I suppose it's because the experience is that I go to the doctor when I'm feeling sick as opposed to more regular engagement to better manage health, build the relationship or even improve well-being. It's a pity, really, because there could be so many opportunities for patients and the medical community to be...
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Many thanks, David! Great to have links to health policy / strategy documents.
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Really good comment about the handover between staff and how much of caring is about building that caring relationship with the individual.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) made a comment
Hi Folks. What a great community of learners we have in the course! I'm looking forward to the discussions this course generates.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) made a comment
Great discussions here on what constitutes discrimination. Discrimination is treatment of an individual or group "in a way that is worse than the way people are usually treated" [Cambridge Dictionaries Online]. It prevents or obstructs opportunities or privileges that are available to others.
When I am taking the train or bus, I will ask an expectant...
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I had a similar experience with my father and doctors in France and Ireland saying his condition was age related (e.g. what do you expect at your age / normal wear and tear for a man your age). We vigorously questioned this and it turned out that he had a very serious infection that was introduced with a new pacemaker and the treatment he had received - both...
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Dan, I've never heard this expression but I love the analogy
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Hi Hilary, links to the research can be found beneath the article.
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Over the past few years, I've been focusing on discipline rather than motivation .... as motivation comes and goes but discipline requires consistency. When I don't feel like being active, for example, I remind myself that motivation is fleeting but discipline is not.
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I love that Janette ... "self believe and trust in others sustains her"
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Martin Simmonds
Nice!
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to John Rich
Fantastic!
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Thank you for sharing this!
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Love the idea of treats!
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At bedtime each night, the kids and I play a 10-minute game called "What makes you happy?" It's usually pretty silly but gratitude works its way in too when one kid tells another that s/he makes another happy. I hope this habit of daily reflection and gratitude will stay with them. It keeps nightmares away too!
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Love this thread! I firmly believe "You are one decision away from a totally different life" and I love this reminder. Great conversation, folks.
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Great quote!
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Yes! It is this sharing which makes the course come alive!
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Thanks Elaine - great comment! I try for BCS (Best Case Scenario) rather than WCS (Worst Case Scenario) thinking! It's not always easy but worrying can easily become excessive and feels like a bad habit to me as it rarely helps!
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I swim almost daily and find that does wonders for my mood!
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There is quite a lot of research on the effects of early childhood experiences on health, wellbeing and quality of life - in later life. These experiences do affect us! There is also research on how forced retirement / redundancy impacts happiness and mental health. Friendship, too, matters and I wonder if it might help Angie to discuss how we make and nurture...
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Ann, chronic pain definitely influences happiness, wellbeing and quality of life. An injury teaches us so much! Take good care of you!
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Me too!
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Stella, your brave post inspires others. I agree that this course (and thinking about Ageing) draws out strong, emotive responses. Some happy, some sad, some overwhelming. Reflecting on those feelings and possibly sharing your observations with others (if you feel comfortable doing so) creates a community of learners who benefit from one another.
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Great comment, Dawn! Looking forward to learning from you and others on what works.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) made a comment
An interesting report was launched this week as part of Habitat III activities which focuses on Ageing and the built environment: http://www.helpage.org/download/57fb5db5e475e/
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Hi Stella, Jacqueline and Sharon, if you're interested in the research questions being asked and answered, you might take a look at TILDA's website where the research is housed: http://tilda.tcd.ie/publications/reports/. TILDA has a Knowledge Translation Working Group (Government) and a Community Engaged Working Group (General Public) to ensure that the...
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Anna Power
Anna, great comment.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Marie L B
Marie, you might want to take a look at ELSA: http://www.elsa-project.ac.uk/
TILDA, like ELSA, is part of a family of longitudinal studies. I recently came across another website in the UK which is focused on public participation in research: http://www.invo.org.uk/. Great suggestions, Karen. -
Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Irene Wyndham
Great discussion, Irene and Amanda.
TILDA benefited from an intensive four years of development and piloting between 2006 and 2009 and the study went into field in 2009. Over the pilot phase, the validity and feasibility of all tests and tools was carried out. All questions were drawn from existing validated questions, in consultation with the Study of...
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Great comments!
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That's great, Chrissie! I agree - having that figure in mind to form a habit is encouraging!
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to [Learner left FutureLearn]
This is a very important question, Michele, whether our cities and towns are becoming more pedestrian friendly. The answer is yes and no. Major cities like New York, London and Paris, for example, understand the power of walkability. It's not just good for people, it's good for business too. Those who use active transportation tend to spend locally. On the...
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Yes, thank you all
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Hilary, this is an incredible technique and one that I will share with friends and colleagues. Thank you.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to [Learner left FutureLearn]
It's so important to recognize all we are doing well. Great list, Michele!
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Lovely discussion
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Wow, love this idea!
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When we moved back to Ireland from the United States (Port Townsend, WA), I wondered how much walking I did daily. We don't drive in Ireland and we rely on transit and a walkable community. On average, I hit 12,000 steps per day. I would have underestimated my level of activity because it occurs while I'm doing other things - working, taking the kids to...
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to [Learner left FutureLearn]
I enjoyed this conversation.
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Susan, great post!
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Sarah Bowman (Host) made a comment
An article by Professor Ian Robertson appeared in today's Irish Times. It focuses on developing healthy habits and it's worth a read: http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/change-your-bad-habits-in-6-easy-steps-1.2814865
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Interesting. I like how many of the discussions here focus on the differences between happiness and contentment. If happiness is transitory, maybe it's those longer periods of contentment that speak to peace of mind and well-being.
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Thanks Jane. The distinction between consumption and experience is important for me as well.
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Interesting observation, Keith. I believe that intergenerational communities - that we don't age-out of - are the best for all ages.
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As a public engagement specialist, I'm always interested in who is taking part in activities and why. Yesterday, I facilitated a workshop on social isolation and loneliness in rural communities and one of the topics that emerged was around the language and methods used to engage males. Participants spoke candidly about success with purpose-driven engagement...
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Brian, I am going to remember that saying by your father - it's wonderful!
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Thank you, Jeanette, it's a really interesting idea that we might jump in and out of feeling old - depending on circumstances - and that I might feel older today than I will in five years.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Eileen Jackson
Slainte from Dublin!
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Diana Stirling
Remember that this course will remain open for all registered learners. You can continue to come back and read/add comments.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to keith twort
Way to go Keith! Making every moment count!
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Me too!
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Fantastic Janine!
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Thanks Ian - words to live by!
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Congratulations, Vivienne! Well done. Totally agree - unstoppable!
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The report referenced above was by Professor Alan Barrett and Dr Elish Kelly - neither of whom are educators in this course.
This course focuses on the importance of staying connected to your communities and there have been comments by educators encouraging older adults to vote and advocate for age friendly policies.
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In case you missed it, I'm going to copy another post here:
"When Trinity decided to build the MOOC, they brought together a Council external to TCD of older adults through Age Friendly Ireland and asked them what they wanted to learn. They outlined the course and then the researchers responded. I love this model because Ageing is such a massive topic and...
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Thanks, all, for the feedback.
Lauren, when the course runs again, participant's feedback is reviewed and used to update the course. Thanks for asking.
Sandra, while the course runs for 5 weeks, not everyone can complete the course in 5 weeks. We have thousands of learners involved in previous weeks - adding in comments and interacting with one...
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Andy Goodyear
I've forwarded on your comments to the online team in case there was some glitch that was hiding us from one another.
Maybe scale has something to do with it? When I look at who I'm following, I have 7+ pages of Educator comments, but given the tremendous feedback from participants in the course - sometimes thousands of comments on one module alone -...
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Thanks, Pat, for jumping in and offering folks with local Age-Friendly Programmes opportunities to find a community. That's a great idea. I really value the work Age Friendly is doing across Ireland and especially in my community.
The course will remain open for all registered learners, meaning that folks can come here at any time and leave comments,...
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Thanks David. Researchers at Trinity College hoped to provide a platform in which learners would share their tips and strategies, recognising that behavioural choices will influence one's ageing experience. As hoped, the diversity of participants served as a real resource to all learners. It's been really interesting to see what folks respond to and why. I'll...
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Andy Goodyear
Hello! I've been here but with thousands of comments, it's one of the challenges of a course with so many interactions - finding all of the comments educators / hosts post.
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I hope so, Tony! I love that you opened the window. I hope others will be inspired too.
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Completely agree! I don't see how being creative can be separated from being human.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Marie Kirk
Great story, Marie! Keep smiling!
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to jose rios
Thanks Jose. The course will be offered again in the autumn and Trinity/Future Learn will send out a notification.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) made a comment
Many thanks to all who took part in the course! It's been a lively few weeks and I have really enjoyed the discussions. My best to each of you today and always.
May the blessings of each day
Be the blessings you need most.
-Irish ProverbEnjoy the day!
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Thanks, David. The course will run again - likely in the autumn and we will send out notification. If you visit, http://www.tcd.ie/research/engage/ you will find updates about this and other events.
Thanks for all of the great comments you have made over the past few weeks.
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Ken McLeod
Yes, the course will remain open for folks to continue the conversations, update one another on progress, and/or share the information with others (e.g. download info-graphics).
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Andy Goodyear
Andy, did you follow all of the course educators to see their comments?
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to linda bayford
Thank you for sharing this, Linda.
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Hard to beat a bag of fish and chips!
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Totally agree, Helen, Sheila and Maureen. What first attracted me to my husband was his sense of humour. Even at tough times, he can always make me smile. I was speaking with a colleague recently who talked about the value of laughter - especially for patients with dementia - and how even short, humorous videos can help in terms of stabilizing moods.
I...
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Thanks for sharing, David. I love that image of the lens focusing.
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Yes! It's so easy to be negative, pick at what's wrong, and/or join the crowd of naysayers. So many folks focus on WCS (worst case scenario) and that's a choice. I go for BCS (best case scenario) as my default.
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Yes! If there is one lesson that life is teaching me, it's not to be afraid of failing and you're completely right: over time, some of those 'fails' offer the best laughs!
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Great advice, Linda and Tricia.
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Love it!
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Robert Jackson
I especially love the idea of combining food and literature. See: http://litfest.ie/
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Robert Jackson
Fantastic Robert! I love the bold statement! Here are a few literary festivals to keep you inspired and to think about who might be involved: http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/a-literary-festival-calendar-1.2141631
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My kids and I attend Bealtaine Festival events - they are for all ages. See the 2016 programme under development here: http://bealtaine.com/bealtaine-2016
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Jean, the events encourage inter-generational activities. My husband, kids and I attend Bealtaine Festival events. The festival celebrates creativity at every age. Take a look at some of the 2016 events: http://bealtaine.com/bealtaine-2016
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Inspiring to me too!
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Great point, Helen. I agree that for many people, pets are a wonderful motivator and companion.
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Me too, Maria!
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That's a really good question, Mike. I do think it's a combination of 1) finding something you really enjoy doing and 2) deciding whether it's something you want to do with others at that moment.
For instance, there are days where I love a good long walk by myself. I need some quiet time and I enjoy the solitude. Other days, I bring my kids with me and...
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To me, yes!
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Yes. From landscape design, to planting and tending flowers, to dealing with pests or challenges, the whole experience is a creative art. One of my favorite smells is freshly cut grass.
Whenever I see daffodils, I think of my mom and how she stopped the car at the side of the road - probably 30 years ago - and bought 2 bunches of daffodils to bring to a...
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Coming to terms with the loss of a loved one, I wrote the following poem. I make time each day for either reading or writing poetry.
Preparing the Feast
over the clear sea you have, by now, reached the land of women
the feathered tribesin those northern woods you remain wild
change the skythrough estuaries of song
ascend... -
Love it, Tony!
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The good news is that this course will remain open for registered learners and folks can continue to come back here and engage with one another for as long as they want to.
It's a really good suggestion, though, to have a final module - which is focused on on-going discussions - once Week 5 ends. I'll raise this idea w/ colleagues at Trinity College. ...
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Anne, great idea! We should never forget the art of exploring! I love this idea. I'm going to try it.
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What a lovely story, Aine!
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Sarah Bowman (Host) replied to Jim Crawley
Dear Jim and Margaret, I have a 10 year old son as well and a 6 year old daughter. Each night, when the kids are snuggled in their beds, I ask, "What makes you happy?" and we each take turns responding. Some of it is silly stuff but we also focus on what matters most: family, time together, love, what interests us, what we hope for ourselves and for each...
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That surprises me, Linda. Each week, learners have been asked to think about the information presented and to identify what works for them and what they are willing to try moving forward. Each question encourages participants to share their thoughts with one another and to join the conversation in order to add even more opportunities for others to consider. ...
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Jane, this is an area I am playing in more - with those occasional successes as well!
I love it! -
Beautiful!
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Elva, that's wonderful!
