Fit and over fifty

“Reducing working-age ill-health could save the UK up to £100 billion every year’. That was the government’s conclusion published at the end of last year in its white paper, Healthy Lives, Healthy People. The paper went on to say that improving wellbeing in adults could reduce premature death and illness and eradicate a substantial proportion of cancers, vascular dementias and circulatory diseases.

Back in 2008 Dame Carol Black’s report, Working for a Healthier Tomorrow encouraged employers to take greater responsibility for the welfare of their workers, with the words “good health is good business”.

By all accounts, and perhaps rather predictably in these recessionary times, progress since then is reported as having been somewhat slow. To counter this, some interesting findings have emerged recently indicating that a surprising number of over fifties say they feel fitter and healthier than they did in early adulthood.

In a study of 1,500 over fifties conducted by insurance company Engage Mutual, 17 per cent stated that when it comes to health and fitness, they feel better than they did in their twenties. And over 70 per cent of ‘fit over fifties’ claim they now do more exercise and pay more attention to their diet.

67 per cent attributed their new found motivation to increase levels of fitness to a raised awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The research indicates that the ‘fit over fifties’ eat far more fruit and vegetables now than they did in their early years. Only a fifth of them would have made sure they were having their recommended five portions a day 30 years ago – compared to an impressive 75 per cent today.

And of the people who feel fitter than in their twenties, the average exercise levels approach four times a week and include walking, swimming, cycling or attending fitness classes. Reasons for doing more exercise now? 29 per cent claimed they want to be fit and energetic for the sake of the grandchildren; 37 per cent are looking forward to an active and enjoyable retirement; and 23 per cent say exercise now makes up an important part of their social life. 

If this is to be believed (and no reason why not) it sounds as if older workers, having seen the light themselves, should be considered for the  role of wellbeing mentors in the workplace encouraging and supporting their younger colleagues to follow their example and look after their health.

Meaningful mentoring

The value of older people as mentors and their understanding of the power of on-line social networking have both been amply demonstrated in the Yell and horsesmouth Mentoring Works Awards. The three awards for business mentoring, which were drawn from user nominations on the online mentoring website horsesmouth.co.uk, were all won by individuals over the age of 50.

The winner of the £1000 Mentor of The Year Award is 64-year old Keith Williams from Ackworth in Yorkshire, a SFEDI (Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative) accredited professional, who advises small businesses and social enterprises. Having created and developed many successful businesses in the last 20 years, Keith feels he has made plenty of mistakes and learned from them and believes that today he can pass on this learning to young entrepreneurs on the way up. 

Winner of The £500 Editor’s Prize, for the most inspiring story published on horsesmouth.co.uk, is 51-year old Jayne Bellis from Chester. The £500 M-Factor Award – for the most active business mentor with the highest rating on the site, goes to 52-year old Michael Birchmore from Portsmouth.

horsesmouth.co.uk is the world’s first ‘pro-social’ networking site and was purpose-built in 2008 for online mentoring on a wide range of topics including education, careers, health, families and relationships. It is free and available to anyone over the age of 16, with the majority of the site’s users being under 25. The site is professionally hosted, managed and moderated and all profiles, stories and weblinks are approved before posting.

Much is talked about in the workplace concerning the potential role of older workers as mentors. This is proof, if any was needed, that the wisdom of age and experience is welcomed by the young if presented in a relevant, individualised and meaningful way. Employers would do well to consider what they might learn from this model.