Free course for over-50s women celebrates the ageing process

The free course is for women aged 50 and over to share their experiences, hear guest speakers, and learn to view the ageing process in a new and positive way.

Volunteer at the centre, Karen Collins - who herself is in the over-50 age group - said the course was designed to debunk some of the 'ageist' myths that older women weren't as capable as their younger counterparts.

"I really want to challenge those stereotypes about people of a certain age not being able to do certain things, that make assumptions that because we're of a certain age, our health will decline rapidly and we're not good at using technology," Ms Collins said.

"I think it's important that we discuss the issues that we face in this age group."

Guest speakers will include a representative from the Older Women's Network; a pilates instructor, personal trainer and chiropractor; a counsellor who will talk about mental health and self care; an IT professional; and an entertainer.

Ms Collins said she hoped the course would help women feel less alone.

"It's a unifying thing to know that there are other people who are having the same feelings about the same issues, and being heard," she said.

"You don't really think about it when you're under 50, but when you get to be over 50 and 60, you start to realise that attitudes change towards you. We should be looking at it as a privilege to get older - everybody's going to get older if they're lucky."

Registration is required to attend the free course, which takes place from 10.30am until 12pm on Mondays, from April 19 until May 24 at Orana Women's Health Centre, 39 Gymea Bay Road, Gymea.

Register and find out more at 9525 2058.