Tips to Stay Healthy

Some things can become a little harder to manage later in life, but with the right services, support and information, you can keep living in the comfort of your own home. Here are a few links to health information that you may be interested to view:

Aboriginal Health Issues

Seniors – Aboriginal Health and Well Being Sites

Advanced Care Directives

This is a legal form where you can record your wishes and instructions for your future health care, end of life, preferred living arrangements and other personal matters (if you are at least 18 years of age).

It can also be used to appoint one or more adults to make these decisions for you. Your Advance Care Directive takes effect (can only be used) if you are unable to make your own decisions. To be legal, you must only use the official Advanced Care Directive Form available at Advance Care Directives.

The Office of the Public Advocate can provide information , education, investigative services and can act as guardian of last resort.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

There are many different forms of dementia and each has its own causes. The most common types of dementiaare Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), Huntington’s disease, Alcohol related dementia (Korsakoff’s syndrome) and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.

Bone Health

The Jean Hailes Foundation

Incontinence

Incontinence is a term that describes any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or bowel motion, faeces or wind from the bowel (faecal or bowel incontinence). It is a widespread condition that ranges in severity from ‘just a small leak’ to complete loss of bladder or bowel control. In fact, over 4.8 million Australians have bladder or bowel control problems for a variety of reasons. Incontinence can be treated and managed. In many cases it can also be cured.

The first step is to talk to your doctor or contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66. The National Continence Helpline is staffed by a team of continence nurse advisors who offer free information, advice and support and can provide you with a wide range of information resources and referrals to local services. More information is available from:

Depression

Diabetes

Diabetes is a big health problem in Australia. Diabetes happens when the body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone which controls the amount of sugar in our blood). It’s important to talk with your doctor is you have sores & boils that won’t heal, you’re going to the toilet a lot, feeling thirsty, tired and weak, have blurry vision or leg cramps and itching. A healthy weight, exercising, eating less rubbish food, not smoking and drinking only a little alcohol may help to prevent diabetes. See www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au for more information.