eCourse on Healthy Ageing

Background

Population ageing is emerging as one of the most significant global public health transformations of the 21st century. With increasing life expectancy, individuals are living longer, but not always in good health. Old age may be accompanied by a range of challenges including chronic diseases, functional decline, mental health concerns, social isolation, and limited access to supportive care, often silently and across all settings, from urban centres to rural communities. But these changes are not inevitable. We can make healthy ageing a norm by advancing a range of interventions directed at individuals and groups. Understanding this complex interplay of biological, social, environmental, and behavioural factors that influence ageing is essential. Promoting healthy ageing requires not only awareness but also the ability to apply practical strategies at individual, community, and system levels. Empowering learners with this knowledge can help promote informed decision-making, improve quality of life, and support dignity and independence in later years. This Massive Open Online Course by Public Health Foundation of India on Healthy Ageing, aims to bridge, this gap by equipping learners with practical knowledge and strategies to promote healthy ageing across the life course.

What will you learn?

This course is designed to build multidimensional competency on ageing, covering biological, psychological, social, and public health domains. By the end of the course, learners will be able to: 

• Understand the key concepts and importance of healthy ageing 
• Understand the concept of ageism and analyse its impact on the health, well-being, dignity, and social participation of older adults.
• Identify vulnerable populations and common risk factors associated with ageing
• Describe national and global policies related to healthy ageing 
• Recognise key economic, social, and infrastructural challenges 
• Apply learning to real-world contexts

Who Should Attend?

• Public health professionals
• Nursing and medical students
• Program managers and policymakers
• NGO and development sector professionals
• Anyone interested in ageing and community health

Course Design and Duration:

The MOOC is structured to span a duration of three weeks. The program is designed to be self-paced and comprises three modules each lasting approximately two hours. Each module incorporates a variety of elements including videos, interactive activities, quizzes, and additional reading material to enhance your learning experience.

Course Modules:

This course will cover the following modules:

• Module 1: Understanding Ageing & Ageism
• Module 2: Difficulties & Barriers to Healthy Ageing
• Module 3: Combatting Ageing & Ageism

Course Fee:

The course is free to enroll. Participants who wish to receive a certificate upon successful completion may opt for certification by paying a fee of INR 750.

Teaching Methodology:

The course will be available online only, allowing learners to progress at their own pace through an interactive learning management system. Its structure encompasses interactive videos, engaging activities, quizzes, and a curated selection of recommended readings, including summaries, articles, case studies, and blogs.

Evaluation and award of online certificate:

The final online certificate will be awarded to learners who successfully complete the course, meet all course requirements, and pay the prescribed certification fee after course completion. The certificate will be issued only upon successful fulfillment of these criteria.