How to live long and prosper - A lifespan approach

Why should I take this Trinity Elective?

By 2050, over two billion people on earth will be over 60 years old. This increased longevity is one of the major achievements of modern humans, however this increase in lifespan does not necessarily equate with an increase in healthy, disease-free years for everyone. This demographic explosion is pertinent to every person and sector of our society. We will need input from experts across many sectors including medicine, economics, science, technology, engineering, legal, business and humanities to tackle the challenges ahead. If you want to know more about some of the key challenges and opportunities associated with our expanding ageing population, then this is the Trinity Elective for you.

What will I learn?

You will understand some of the key physiological changes that happen in the body during ageing and why these changes can give rise to ageing associated diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurocognitive decline.
You will learn about the clinical challenges associated with treating older people and how integrated clinical care and how new models of care delivery, assisted by technological advances, can promote healthy, independent living.
You will gain an understanding of what it is like for someone to grow old in Ireland today.
You will learn about the societal challenges and opportunities associated with our ageing population.

What will I do?

Attend lectures given by global leaders in multi-disciplinary ageing research.
Use novel interactive tools, including frailty simulation equipment, so that you will experience what it feels like to have age related physical decline.
Visit the Health Assessment Centre of the TILDA study – The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing – and learn about how the health and wellbeing of older people in Ireland is being studied.
Complete an interactive online module on Successful Ageing.

How will this be delivered?

12 hours of face-to-face lectures.
Completion of an online module on Successful ageing (~20hours).
2 hours of group tasks.
2 hours visit to health assessment centre in the TILDA study.
Private study time/reading of associated materials (~64hours).

How will this be assessed?

There will be three MCQs on (i) biological (ii) clinical and (iii) societal content (15% per MCQ).
Group presentation focused on topics around current and future approaches towards successful ageing (55% total mark