The resources library below gives you access to public facing free resources, all co-produced with members of public.
Ageing well by connecting and learning about nature outdoors
Authors: Araya Y, Broad E and Vseteckova J
In this article we look at spending time outdoors. Moving, and learning outdoors with and about nature has an incredibly important place as it brings together physical, cognitive and social elements. When we’re learning outdoors, all we need to do is move about, have a healthy snack and plenty of water.
How to age well, while self-isolating
Authors: Vseteckova J
In this article we discuss how to keep well while self-isolating. A short video is included in this article.
Authors: Vseteckova J
This is a short film about ageing well and keeping well while self-isolating.
Keeping Healthy in Self-Isolation
Authors: Vseteckova J
This is a short animation highlighting how to keep well while self-isolating.
Ageing Well Public Talk Series I. 2019 -2020
Authors: Vseteckova J
In this short article we introduce the Ageing Well Public Talk Series structured around The Five Pillars for Ageing well and link to other related articles.
Ageing Well Public Talks Series II. Plan for 2020 – 2021
Authors: Vseteckova J
In this article we present the plan for the Ageing Well Public Talk Series structured around The Five Pillars for Ageing well and link to other related articles.
Ageing Well Public Talks Series III 2021-2022
Authors: Vseteckova J
In this article we discuss how the Ageing Well Public Talk Series structured around The Five Pillars for Ageing well have evolved over the past three years and link to other related articles.
Authors: Vseteckova J
In this short article we introduce the Five Pillars for Ageing Well and include a short video about each of the five pillars.
5 reasons why exercising outdoors is great for people who may or may not have dementia
Authors: Vseteckova J
In this short article we discuss why exercising outdoors is important for people with or without dementia.
Authors: Vseteckova J
In this short article we discuss how exercise can help people when they suffer from depression and/or mood swings.
Authors: Vseteckova J
In this short article we discuss what happens to our brain as a result of naturally occurring age-related changes and share few tips on how to keep the brain functions at optimal level.
Walking the Parks with The OU and The Parks Trust
Authors: Vseteckova J
This short article is highlighting the need for spending time outdoors and supporting people to join walks organised by The Parks Trust MK for people living with dementia and their informal carers and family.
Authors: Methley A & Vseteckova J & Jones K
In this short article we discuss the benefits for physical as well as psychological health and wellbeing of spending time in the great outdoors.
Walking the great outdoors with The Parks Trust and staying mindful
Authors: Methley A, Vseteckova J, Broad E
In this article we discuss the importance of walking, spending time outdoors and being mindful.
The benefits of mindfulness and five common myths surrounding it
Authors: Vseteckova J, Methley A, Lucassen M
In this short article we discuss what is mindfulness and why it might be good for us.
Authors: Vseteckova J, Broad E, Andrew V
In this short article we present 5Ways café organised by The Parks Trust MK together with the walks in the parks for people with dementia and their carers/family members from the perspective of a volunteer.
What happens to our brain as we age and how we can stop the fast decline
Authors: Vseteckova J, Methley A, Broad E
In this short article we discuss what happens to our brain as we age and how we can stop the fast decline sometimes associated with ageing or progression of neurodegenerative conditions.
Outdoor Therapy: The Benefits of Walking and Talking
Authors: Methley A, Vseteckova J, Broad E
In this short article we discuss the benefits of walking and talking and why walking therapy might be a great resource for some of us.
Authors: Vseteckova, J Methley A, Broad E (2021)
In this podcast we discuss how we can understand better our memory.
COVID-19 The effects of self-isolation and lack of physical activity on carers
Authors: Vseteckova J, et al.
In this short article we discuss importance of exercising, specifically for carers, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporting adult carers during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Taverner P, Larkin M, Vseteckova J, et al.
In this short article we discuss ways of supporting adult carers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young carers, COVID-19 and physical activity
Authors: Robb M, Penson M, Vseteckova J, et al.
In this short article we discuss why relationship with physical activity might be affected in young carers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carers, COVID19 and Physical Activity: The research
Authors: Vseteckova J et al.
This short article we discuss why we have started a research study looking at relationship with physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, for carers of all ages.
Older Carers, COVID-19 and Physical Activity
Authors: Penson M, Vseteckova J, et al.
In this short article we discuss why relationship with physical activity matters when we are older carers and especially so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help carers in challenging COVID-19 times
Authors: Vseteckova J & Methley A
In this short article we discuss what ACT is and how it might help carers especially during the COVID-19 pandemic times.
Authors: Vseteckova J, Borgstrom E, Whitehouse A, Kent A, Hart A
In this short article we discuss the importance of Advance Care Planning from the perspective of people with lived experience as well as professionals, practitioners supporting people with ACP.
Ways we engage with our environment
Authors: Araya Y, Broad E, Vseteckova J (2022)
In this article we discuss ways in which we can engage with our environment and how engaging with our environment can benefit us. This article also contains a podcast.
Authors: Vseteckova J (2022)
In this article we explore how age-related changes affect the drug journey. We also look at how the Five Pillars for Ageing Well might help us to prevent side effects from medication(s) we take.
How can we prepare for death while ageing?
Authors: Gale B (2022)
In this we are going to discuss why we might be unprepared for death and dying and what might help us find a different approach. This is the first of a series of articles that will go into more detail about how we could prepare for a death at home or in hospital and how we can prepare for grief while ageing.
Valuing death at home: making preparations
Authors: Gale B (2023)
In this we are going to discuss why we might be unprepared for death and dying and what might help us find a different approach. This is the first of a series of articles that will go into more detail about how we could prepare for a death at home or in hospital and how we can prepare for grief while ageing.
What should I expect when I am nearing the end of my life?
Authors: Hedges V & Vseteckova J (2023)
In this we are going to discuss why we might be unprepared for death and dying and what might help us find a different approach. This is the first of a series of articles that will go into more detail about how we could prepare for a death at home or in hospital and how we can prepare for grief while ageing.
Ageing, health inequalities and person centred care
Authors: Mehta S & Vseteckova J (2023)
In this article we discuss why how can healthcare professionals ensure that people are treated fairly, irrespective of their age, background, financial circumstances or where they live. This article looks further into inequalities in health.
Ageing, health inequalities and integrated approach to care
Authors: Mehta S & Vseteckova J (2023)
In this article we look at the impact of older people’s health inequalities on families, communities and society more widely. We will also consider what action we can all take to try and reduce health inequalities.
COVID-19 Interview podcast for The Retirement Café: ‘Ageing Well Under Lockdown’
Authors: Vseteckova J & King J
In this podcast we discuss with Justin King about approaching retirement and how we might facilitate best transitions during as well as out of lockdown.
Authors: Vseteckova J & Broad E
In this podcast we discuss the walking programme organised by The Parks Trust MK and how it might benefit people living with dementia and their family members as well as informal carers.
Authors: Broad E, Methley A & Vseteckova J
In this podcast we are discussing how important it is to stay mindful while being outdoors and how spotter sheets developed collaboratively with The Parks Trust MK might help us to do that.
Podcast The Parks Trust & OU Preventing brain decline while ageing
Authors: Vseteckova J, Methley A, Broad E
In this podcase we are exploring what happens to our brain while ageing and how we can prevent steep decline usually associated with ageing and some types of dementia.
Authors: Methley A, Broad E, Vseteckova J
In this podcast we discuss what is walking therapy and how it works and why is it so good for us to walk and talk.
Authors: Vseteckova, J Methley A, Broad E (2021)
In this podcast we discuss how we can understand better our memory.
Ways we engage with our environment
Authors: Araya Y, Broad E, Vseteckova J (2021)
In this podcast we discuss ways in which we can engage with our environment and how engaging with our environment can benefit us.
Midlife MOT OpenLearn Course – The wellbeing audit section
Authors: Upton M, Peeran A, Vseteckova J (2021)
In this OpenLearn Course (funded by Legal & General) we discuss the importance of staying well as we reach midlife. Making small changes to our lifestyle can potentially make a significant difference later down the line, supporting and improving our natural resilience. The Wellbeing section is based around the Five Pillars of Ageing Well, which help us look at your physical and mental health.
Ageing Well Public Talk and the Five Pillars for Ageing Well
Authors: Vseteckova J (2020)
In this OpenLearn Course we discuss the importance of staying well as we reach midlife. Making small changes to our lifestyle can potentially make a significant difference later down the line, supporting and improving our natural resilience. This course includes the first talks recorded in 2019/2020.
Coproducing community assets with Carers In Northamptonshire and Integrated Care across Northamptonshire
The aim of Integrated Care Across Northamptonshire (iCAN)’s partnership with the OU is to co-produce materials and processes which engage the public and equip older people to improve their health, self-management skills, and wellbeing. By educating people on the importance of maintaining their strength, hydration, nutrition and wellbeing, we want more people to live and age well—physically and mentally—and to become happier and more resilient. As a result, we also want fewer people to experience avoidable admissions and lengthy stays in hospital.
The Ageing Well Public Talk (AWPT) Series is the culmination of eighteen years of research and teaching impacting people’s lives and enabling more efficient resource use in health and social care systems. The series addresses all known barriers to ageing well, through events which translate scientific evidence for public understanding and invite participants to share their own experiences. The series is unique in using Participatory Public Engagement for co-design, co-production, delivery and impact. Talks are adapted to the interests of groups such as the Dementia Hub, the People Living with Heart Failure Group, and the People Living with Diabetes Group.