Designed to help you stay independent and socially connected as you get older, LiveUp is a free online healthy ageing guide funded by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.
Research shows that older people fear losing their independence more than death, with 78 per cent of Australians over the age of 50 increasingly finding it more difficult to perform simple everyday tasks, according to research from LiveUp.
Hilary O’Connell, LiveUp’s ambassador and an occupational therapist for more than 40 years, said science shows that up to 25 per cent of how you age is dependent on genetics, which means around 75 per cent of your ageing experience is largely determined by lifestyle factors.
“While everyone’s ageing experience is different, there is help at hand to reduce the challenges faced by making simple changes to stay independent longer,” Ms O’Connell said.
The LiveUp snapshot reveals that:
95.6 per cent of people believe older Australians need to empower themselves to take steps to slow the impact of getting older
49.1 per cent are concerned about deteriorating health, and of these, 39 per cent were concerned about losing independence, deteriorating health, and losing social connections
78.7 per cent said they have found it more difficult to perform simple tasks everyday than before.
“Making simple changes and using assistive products can make a dramatic positive impact on your health in a very short amount of time,” Ms O’Connell.
“It’s time to change the way we all think about age and what we are capable of as a greater number of us are getting older. LiveUp is about helping you make the most of life and to stay independent for as long as possible as we age.
“The LiveUp website is packed with ideas, tools, and guidance to keep you doing the things you already love, or to try something new that you haven’t thought possible before.
“It’s never too early or too late to start shaping how we age,” Ms O’Connell.
Learn what you can do when you LiveUp at liveup.org.au
