KEY POINTS:
Name: John Rice.
Occupation: Project manager - AUT School of Sport & Recreation. Manager never2old exercise programme.
Age: 50.
Working hours: 40-50 hours a week.
Employer: AUT University, Faculty of Health, School of Sport & Recreation.
Pay Scale: $70K-$85K.
Qualifications needed: Diploma in Fitness or equivalent Level 2 exercise instructor to get involved at programme delivery level. Probably degree or post-grad qualifications to get involved in programme management and development.
Career prospects: Instructor, programme co-ordinator, field adviser, programme management, researcher.
Describe your job.
I am a projects manager within the AUT School of Sport & Recreation. My main area of focus is the never2old exercise programme, which I have been involved with since it began in 2002.
Your background?
I've been in education for most of my adult life - teaching at intermediate and secondary level in New Zealand and Australia. I completed a bachelor's degree in human movement studies and then worked as a HOD/sports director at secondary schools in Australia and NZ. I moved to the AUT University North Shore Campus in 2001.
What skills are required?
Management of the development team, passion for the project, strategic planning, understanding exercise science as it relates to older adults, commitment to providing a programme that makes a difference to older adult health and fitness, genuine connection with older adults. You have to enjoy working with the 60-plus population and have an understanding of where they are coming from - my own age (now 50-plus) helps.
I am working on post-grad studies with a focus on older adults and the benefits of physical activity to their physical, social and emotional well-being.
Who are your clients?
North Shore and Auckland adults over the age of 60 who are interested in improving their fitness and functional capacity. It's an even mix of male and females, from all walks of life and from a wide range of ethnic groups.
Oldest n2o participant?
The oldest is 87 going on 50. A remarkable lady named Kay who we took on the abseiling Gold (Growing old living dangerously) Challenge at the Auckland Grammar School quarry.
She had never been abseiling before and completed two drops from about 15m. She was so thrilled.
Quite a few of our members in their 80s have been regular participants for five years.
Why is your job important?
The number of older adults in NZ is set to rise dramatically in the next 20 years and, by 2050, one in four Kiwis will be over the age of 60. Our message is that if more people stay active and connected with others for as long as possible, then they will retain independence for longer and lead full, active, engaged lives.
Best part of the job?
Those involved in the programme say it does make a difference in their daily lives and the benefits are not only in the physical dimension. People feel more connected socially through the group activity and many say they feel re-invigorated and ready to face life in a more positive manner. Some have been able to return to former recreational pursuits, others have stayed independent in their own homes for longer, some don't fall or trip nearly as often and most just feel better about life.
Worst part?
Seeing individuals who have been involved in the programme, who you have got to know as good friends, get ill or have their circumstances in life change and they can no longer remain involved. We make a point of keeping in contact with these people but it is sad when they can no longer get along to the programme.
Your strengths?
I am passionate about what I do and I like to see things done well. I want the never2old exercise programme to reach more mature aged. I enjoy leading a team of committed people all pulling in the same direction but with the freedom to express their own ideas and add their flavour to the pot. I don't take myself too seriously. I enjoy people and having a laugh every day is an important ingredient.
What exercise do you do?
I like to weight-train a couple of days a week. I still fall around the volleyball court most weeks and play tennis, and sea kayaking has been a long-time interest.
What has your involvement taught you about the elderly?
I like older adults' honesty, humour and humility. Mature-aged adults are far more resilient and capable in a physical sense. Some men in our programme display the strength of men 20-30 years younger. We need to reassess our societal views on ageing, which are often tainted with negativism when older adults are capable, need challenges and still have much too offer. It's all about valuing them.
Advice to those interested in doing something similar?
Anyone wanting to work with mature-aged adults needs to start with a genuine interest in them, their health, fitness and overall wellness. I guess then it is having a good understanding of exercise prescription and being able to adapt that knowledge to the older adult.
