Healthy lessons for the next generation
UQ Healthy Living promotes healthy ageing for over-50s, and the facility is also helping the younger generation.
UQ Healthy Living offers health and lifestyle programs for over 50s while also providing student practitioners with valuable industry experience.
This intergenerational exchange offers an exceptional opportunity for transfer of knowledge and can be a source of inspiration for both parties.
From a retired Justice of the Supreme Court to a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology student, the service provides an opportunity for beneficial connections, a key to positive ageing.
Students from UQ's Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences design tailored sessions for clients in consultation with leading healthy ageing practitioners.
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology student Kristen works with a client during a session at UQ Healthy Living.
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology student Kristen works with a client during a session at UQ Healthy Living.
Clients are offered psychology, dietetics, audiology, exercise and sports science, clinical exercise physiology, nursing, pharmacy and physiotherapy services.
It is a unique model that addresses cognitive, physical, mental and social wellbeing all under one roof, as well as offering an interprofessional team environment in which students can practice and learn.
Kristin’s perspective
I loved getting to know the different clients at UQ Healthy Living and felt fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of their physical activity journey.
The energy I gained from the clients really inspired and motivated me.
I chose to do one of my final year placements at UQ Healthy Living as I strongly believe that exercise and movement in combination with a healthy diet are very important in the ageing population.
The benefits that exercise provide are clear in the context of mental and physical wellbeing, motivation, strength, and building social support.
I gained many valuable skills on placement from working with clients.
I conducted initial assessments, designed one-on-one exercise programs, designed and led circuit classes, and developed exercise programs based on individual goals.
I regularly discussed my learning processes and understanding with a variety of clinical educators.
I particularly enjoyed designing the morning circuit classes, but it was even more fun to watch the clients enjoying themselves – particularly the dancing that followed afterwards.
My placement gave me a broader understanding of the significance of interprofessional practice and the expertise that each discipline can bring to the solution of health problems.
My experiences enhanced my skills in building interprofessional relationships and allowed me to see the importance of team dynamics and effective communication in the delivery of health care services.
The placement inspired me to keep an open mind about my interest areas.
I hope to gain as much experience as possible in various fields during my final year of the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology this year.
About Kristin
Kristin attending UQ Healthy Living as part of her final year placement.
Kristin graduated with a Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences from The University of Queensland in 2016.
She is currently in her final year of the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology.
Kristin attending UQ Healthy Living as part of her final year placement.
Kristin attending UQ Healthy Living as part of her final year placement.
Desmond’s perspective
It is said that exercise is beneficial to the brain as well as the body.
I attend sessions at UQ Healthy Living not to live longer, but to have quality of life while I have it.
My primary ageing goal is to retain my intellectual function as much as possible, and secondly to reduce the deleterious physical effects of the ageing process.
It is necessary to take positive steps to achieve these.
It would be foolish to hope to avoid industrial strength age deterioration without some prophylactic effort.
I am provided with a group of specialised exercises tailored for my particular needs.
For me, the most beneficial activities are those which aid mobility and daily functioning.
There is also the benefit of social interaction with staff and fellow exercisers.
During my time at UQ, the highlights for me were my graduations.
The honours course in law was particularly fulfilling with its intellectual rigour, and the liberal enlightenment afforded by my arts degree married well with it.
I took law because my father said so. He knew much better than I, what it involved and the compatibility of my talent, such as it was, with that discipline.
Desmond attending a session at UQ Healthy Living.
Desmond attending a session at UQ Healthy Living.
About Desmond
Desmond attending a session at UQ Healthy Living.
Desmond retired in 2000 as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland and became an active Adjunct Professor at the TC Beirne School of Law at UQ until 2009.
An alumnus (UQ Bachelor of Arts, 1952; UQ Bachelor of Laws, 1954; UQ Doctor of Laws honoris causa, 2000) he was admitted to the Bar in 1954, took silk in 1974 and became a Queensland Supreme Court Judge in 1982.
His service included Land Appeals Court (President 1985–87), Medical Assessment Tribunal (1988–89), Election Tribunal (1990), Mental Health Tribunal (President 1992–94), President of the Supreme Court Library Committee, and Chief Justice’s representative on the UQ Law Faculty Board.
He is an honorary life member of The Medico-Legal Society, Australian Insurance Law Association, UQ Law Alumni Association and Institute of Modern Art.
He holds the Medal de Honneur de l’Association Internationale du Droit des Assurances. He is an author of The Law of Liability Insurance.
For more information about UQ Healthy Living services and how to get involved, visit the UQ Healthy Living website.
Built with Shorthand