Get Involved

How to get involved

If you are interested in the work of Ageing Well and would like to know more, we send out regular newsletters to our distribution lists to provide updates and to signpost key upcoming activity. If you would like to receive these newsletters, please contact comms.ageingwell@otago.ac.nz or use the Subscribe to our newsletter box below. You can opt out of our distribution list at any time.

Below are some additional ways you can get involved with the work of Ageing Well. 

Well Balanced Exhibit

Background & History

The Well Balanced exhibit was developed in collaboration with Professor Nancy Longnecker and students of the Centre for Science Communication at the University of Otago, and the Otago Museum.

The exhibit engages the public to learn how strength and balance changes throughout the life course by encouraging participants to test a range of physical functions such as balance, grip and muscle strength.

The exhibit also provided participants with information on their strength and balance compared to others of a similar age, and what they can do to improve those abilities.

It is estimated that over 7000 people went through the Otago Museum exhibit in 2017 and observations by Science Communication students and Museum Staff confirmed that it was a popular exhibit for all ages.

Tours

The exhibition has moved  all over New Zealand. It has appeared at the following venues and events:

  • ACC Live Stronger for Longer Launch, 2017/18
  • University of Otago, Wellington, 2018
  • Age Concern Everyone Conference, 2018
  • Te Matatini, 2019

Utilising the Exhibit

If you are interested in using the Well Balanced exhibit, please feel free to contact us by email – ageingwell@otago.ac.nz   

Our goal is for as many groups as possible to use the exhibit and get the great benefits of this entertaining and educational resource.

The exhibit is now fully transportable, either in part or in full.

Connect on Social Media

Consider connecting with Ageing Well on social media. We are on Twitter @AgeingWellNZ and on Facebook @AgeingWellNZ

You can also use the hashtag #ageingwellnz to connect with us and our researchers, and to discover more about the work that we are involved in. 

Community

The mission of Ageing Well is to harness science to sustain health and well-being into the later years of life enabling all New Zealanders to reach their full potential. 

One of the key approaches underlying our research programme is engaging continuously with consumers and stakeholders from the health and disability, voluntary and community services sectors. They are at the front line of support for New Zealand’s older people in an increasingly diverse and complex ageing society.

Integration is fundamental to the Ageing Well research programme and will take place in many dimensions—our research will integrate:

  • Across multiple individuals, multiple organisations, addressing all the different aspects that contribute to 
individuals crossing the disability threshold
  • With mātauranga Māori, Pacific and pakeha cultures
  • With our consumers and stakeholders from health and disability, voluntary, and community service sectors

Stakeholders critical to Ageing Well’s success

There is little more critical to the success of Ageing Well than involving the organisations and individuals who will implement the new knowledge delivered by Ageing Well.

The Ageing Well National Science Challenge will utilise a Knowledge Exchange Transfer framework, which is based on the principles of co-creation and knowledge exchange between researchers and knowledge users.

Ageing Well has already consulted with policymakers and over 50 organisations who provide healthcare, accommodation or other support to older people and will continue to work with these groups to advance our Mission and Vision.


How do I get involved?

If you are interested in our work and would like to know more, we will send out regular newsletters to our distribution lists to provide updates and to signpost key upcoming activity. If you would like to receive these newsletters, please contact comms.ageingwell@otago.ac.nz or use the Subscribe to our newsletter box below. You can opt out of our distribution list at any time.