New MOOC “Healthy Aging”: Online Course on Health in Later Life

How can we age healthily—for ourselves and as a society? This is the question addressed by the new MOOC “Healthy Aging,” developed by the Institute for Health Sciences at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH in cooperation with the Competence Center for the Future of Health Promotion at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG). The course begins on April 27, 2026, and is aimed at anyone who wants to explore the topic of healthy aging in a well-founded and practical way.

Healthy aging is not a matter of chance, but rather the result of many factors that can be influenced. This is precisely where the new MOOC “Healthy Aging” (Massive Open Online Course) comes in—a freely accessible online course developed by the Institute of Health Sciences in collaboration with the Competence Center for the Future of Health Promotion at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG) and with support from the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) department at FERNH. In six sequential lessons, participants gain scientifically grounded knowledge and practical tools to explore how healthy aging can be made possible for everyone.

How to Age Healthily: A Look at Key Factors

The MOOC “Healthy Aging” provides basic health knowledge with a focus on healthy aging and is based on the areas of action outlined in the model “Community Health Promotion for Healthy Aging—Caring Communities” developed by the Center of Excellence for the Future of Health Promotion at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH. The course focuses on key factors influencing the aging process, ranging from genetic predispositions to social conditions and environmental factors. It specifically addresses the promotion of physical and mental health—including exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental fitness, and mental health—as well as the interactions between these factors. In addition, the course highlights the importance of social participation, stable relationships, and volunteer work; addresses topics such as age-appropriate living environments and assistive technologies; and explores health promotion in the context of chronic diseases, as well as issues of equity and diversity in older age. This knowledge is applied in a practical manner throughout the course and brought to life through a variety of learning formats.

Flexible learning, versatile application: This is how the MOOC is structured

The online course consists of about 25 learning hours and can be accessed flexibly online over a period of six weeks. The course content combines various formats:

• Expert Interviews
• Theoretical input with reflection exercises
• Best-Practice Examples
• Podcasts
• Interactive Quiz

An integrated discussion forum rounds out the course and facilitates the exchange of ideas and joint reflection on the content. The MOOC is suitable both for individual professional development and for integration into courses and degree programs in the fields of health, nursing, and social sciences; it is equivalent to approximately 1 ECTS credit and is open to students, faculty, professionals, and anyone else interested, with no prerequisites for participation. By combining the content with practical exercises, participants can immediately apply and reinforce what they have learned.

Applying Knowledge and Broadening Horizons

Upon completion of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of key concepts in health promotion for older adults. They will be able to critically evaluate and apply measures in a practical setting, as well as implement health-promoting approaches in a way that is equitable and sensitive to diversity.

Upon successful completion of the MOOC, participants will receive a certificate of completion as well as open badges for completed lessons and the entire course.

Course start date: April 27, 2026

You can find all the information and registration details for the online course “Healthy Aging” on the website: Healthy Aging – FERNH

FERNFH Partners*

This course was commissioned by the Competence Center for the Future of Health Promotion (KoZuG) at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG) and is funded by the Health Promotion Agenda of the Federal Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection.