From sex to brain health – new healthy ageing podcasts tackle women’s top concerns

As we age, our health interests naturally change. Topics we didn’t worry about in our youth might enter our thinking as we move through our 60s, 70s and beyond.

Thanks to funding from the Alan and Kate Gibson Foundation, we asked more than 1,000 women in Australia aged 65 and older what health information they wanted and how they wanted it. I was surprised by the findings.

Chronic conditions were important to women. But they weren’t the main focus. We found that women were eager for information on things like social connection, emotional health and sex in older adulthood. (Yes, it turns out sex doesn’t just interest the young!)

While there is plenty of health information out there, not a lot of it focuses on the unique needs and experiences of older women. So, we got to work.

Six new podcasts

Over 6 podcasts, our CEO, Dr Sarah White, interviewed experts on:

• bone and joint health
• wellbeing and social connection
• sex
• memory and cognition
• nutrition
• staying confident.

Each podcast focuses on helping women to age well and there are lots of interesting facts along the way. Did you know, for example, that there are 14 things you can do to reduce your risk of dementia? Or, that our bones and hormones are connected?

Ageing with confidence

I appear in the episode on confidence and as someone who isn’t naturally confident, I enjoyed sharing the tips and tricks that have helped build my confidence throughout my career.

We know that as some women get older and transition into retirement or a new phase of life, their confidence can start to wane a little. But it’s important to be able to communicate what you want and need – and feel visible – especially as you age. So, if confidence is an issue in your life, this podcast is worth a listen. Or you can watch the episode below – each interview is also available in video format.

Our healthy ageing series is about meeting women where they are in their lives with information that they need. I hope that you can gain something valuable from the series.

Healthy ageing podcasts: listen now

This podcast series was made possible thanks to the Alan and Kate Gibson Foundation. It also complements our evidence-based information on healthy ageing.