“The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.” - Robert Frost

Life expectancy is set to rise into the late 80s in the West over the coming decade with one in five people over 65. By 2030, it is estimated that almost 25% of the population will be over the age of 65 years. If we can remain active and enjoy good health, living longer can be a very enjoyable time of life. Being active can prevent, reverse or help manage many age-related conditions and being fit and healthy will help us live happily and independently well into old age.

As a health, fitness and wellbeing professional, you are perfectly placed to help the older adult do just that:-

• The benefits to the client are better health, mobility and quality of life

• The benefits to the professional is a growing client base and career longevity

If you work with this special population, it's essential that you understand

• How aging affects the body from the internal organs and skin to the skeletal system, sleep and endocrine system

• The common age-related conditions you are likely to encounter, for example, diabetes, osteoporosis, back pain, heart disease, pelvic organ problems, depression and arthritis

• The extra benefits that exercise offers to the older adult

• What type of exercise is safest and most useful

• How to adapt movement to meet the limitations

• The possible barriers to exercise you may need to overcome

This course is aimed at the health, fitness and wellbeing professional to equip you with the skills required to safely and successfully work with the 50+ senior population. It is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have during your career. The course includes:

• Anatomy & physiology of Aging: what happens to the body through the decades

• The benefits and barriers: understanding these two areas can help motivate the client to become more active

• The recommended amount of activity for the 50+ group and how they can accumulate the optimal amount

• Common age-related conditions and issues: gain an understanding of the various chronic conditions and comorbidities associated with aging and understand how medical conditions affect the body. Examples of conditions include arthritis, joint replacement, osteoporosis, the most common back problems, diabetes, heart and lung problems

• Exercise adaptations: learn exercise recommendations for seniors with chronic conditions and comorbidities and how to adapt what you already know for the clients' benefit and safety

• Prehabilitation exercises to help clients prepare for arthroplasty and recover well

• Pilates adaptations and modifications: what is suitable and what is contraindicated. This is an extra bonus for those who have taken my Pilates Teacher Training but the underlying messages are useful for all

• Designing a class: understand the goals for this age group and learn the 7 key areas of fitness that should be included in each fitness/movement class to help them achieve those objectives. I also offer examples of a chair based class and Pilates for Osteoporosis class

There are assignments throughout the course to help you reinforce learning and start to think about how you can adapt your knowledge and really make a difference. CPDpoints = 15

NB: This course is NOT a series of exercise classes but offers information on how you can adapt the skills you already have.