BE STROKE SAFE

Did you know stroke is a leading cause of disability in Australia? A stroke is when blood can’t get to all parts of your brain. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients for your brain cells. If blood can’t get through, your brain can be injured. Your arteries can get blocked, which is called an ischaemic stroke. Or your arteries can break, which is called a haemorrhagic stroke. 

Early treatment for stroke is critical – the longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance that stressed brain cells will die, leaving behind permanent stroke-related brain damage. Men are at greater risk of stroke and as we get older our risk increases. 

In saying that, stroke is preventable for many. Some of the causes within our control include high blood pressure, being overweight, smoking, high cholesterol, a high intake of alcohol and diabetes.

Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre will be holding a Stroke Safe workshop in collaboration with Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association.

Monday 8^th April, 10am with Speaker Ken Bullock. 62 White Cross Road Winmalee. This is a free information session.

Community Connector Point

Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre is a Community Connector Point. Community Connector Points have someone who can support you to access the MyHealthConnector directory and provide support and information around social connection in your local area or other LGA's.

We can help you to see what may suit you and give you information about local services like classes, social or support groups, volunteer programs and transport options to get there. There is no charge for this service.

Healthy Bones & Osteoporosis

Over 1 million Australians have osteoporosis. It affects both men and women and is most common in adults over 50. Maintaining healthy bones is important to remain mobile and independent. Avoiding unwanted fractures from poor bone health is an important health priority in all adults. Bone breaks can occur in different parts of the skeleton due to osteoporosis, but common areas include the wrist, arm, leg, hip and spine.

When the structure of bone is compromised and becomes weaker and less dense, the bone has an increased risk of breaking. This is osteoporosis. However, osteoporosis tends to affect particular sites within the skeleton, not the whole skeleton. Research has shown the common sites where broken bones occur are the hip, wrist and spine. Other sites include the ankle, leg, forearm, upper arm and ribs. These fractures typically occur after a minor trip, fall or similar incident. 

Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre will be holding a Healthy Bones and Osteoporosis workshop in collaboration with Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association.

Monday 20^th May, 10am with Speaker Ken Bullock. 62 White Cross Road Winmalee. This is a free health information session.

Seniors Rights Service

In 2023 we were fortunate to have Nova Ritchie (Age Care Advocate) come and present a workshop on Seniors Rights. The Seniors Rights Service provides information and support to people using or seeking to access in-home and residential aged care services. Our aged care advocates are located across NSW to provide support for recipients of all Commonwealth funded aged care services.

Advocates:

• Listen to your concerns
• Provide information about rights and responsibilities
• Help resolve problems or complaints with your aged care service providers
• Speak with your service provider if required
• Refer to other agencies where necessary
• Seniors Rights Service advocacy work raises consumer issues on behalf of vulnerable older people to government, the aged care system and the community.

Our team of specialist financial advocates help older people with increasingly complex aged care financing arrangements.

They can help with the assessment process for residential aged care and how providers work out income and assets and offer information and support on a range of different issues around government funded aged care, including:

• statements
• basic daily fees and charges
• hardship applications
• moving into residential care, and
• changing between packages.

If an older person decides to switch home care providers, advocates can help them get value for money by helping them understand how aged care fees are calculated.

For free and confidential telephone advice call
02 9281 3600

National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP)

NACAP provides free and confidential advocacy support to older people, their family and carers. It also helps aged care service providers to understand their responsibilities and the aged care rights of the people they care for.

NACAP services are important for older people who:

• do not feel they can negotiate or stand up for their rights
• are not sure how the aged care system works
• need support to resolve issues with their aged care

NACAP advocates can speak on their behalf and help them to make informed decisions.

Seniors Health Sessions Information

There are four key steps to accessing Australian Government-funded aged care services. If you require assistance in applying the Centre can help. You can see what services are available to help you stay in your own home, or what to expect in an aged care home.

If you’ve had a look at what services might be available and you want to know if you are eligible, applying on-line will let you know. Ring the Centre or pop in.

Seniors Workshops:

Workshops for seniors:

• Falls Prevention;
• Arthritis Management;
• Diabetes Awareness;
• Medicine Management;
• Oral Health Care;
• Healthy Bones & Osteoporosis;
• Healthy Bladder and Bowel Habits;
• Stroke Safe;
• Chair Yoga;
• Chair-Robics;
• My Super;
• Support Groups:

These workshops will be running again this year due to their popularity. Working with Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association we are able to bring these workshops to the Centre.