Health & wellbeing

Exercise needn’t be a burden. Many activities that you do each day as part of your routine may in fact be exercise. A good day in the garden will let anyone know that they have been exercising but even more gentle daily activities such as taking a brisk walk or...

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a type of exercise that involves short bursts of intense activity followed by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. This type of exercise has gained popularity in recent years as it has been shown to offer numerous benefits for people of all ages, including older...

With the right exercise and nutrition, older people can still build and maintain muscle mass and strength. But why is it important to be strong as you age? Maintaining muscle mass and strength is important for a number of reasons, including: Reducing the risk of falling : As we age,...

Many riders would say yes- if you can ride a bike, get one. Older people who ride e-bikes vary widely in their ages and abilities. This is why you need to approach the issue with a healthy dose of realism, a desire to discover something new and a commitment to...

Keeping ourselves active as we age is key for maintaining overall health and wellbeing - your body, mind and spirit. To maximise your abilities and reap the benefits, it's recommended to engage in a variety of physical activities, including aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance exercises. It's important to spend less...

A Green Prescription Rōngoa Kākāriki is a programme in New Zealand that aims to support people to become more physically active and make positive changes to their lifestyle. The programme involves a healthcare professional or a trained health coach giving the patient a "prescription" for physical activity and lifestyle changes....

The 'Live Stronger for Longer' programme aims to prevent falls in older people, to allow them to remain confident, healthy and independent in their homes and community. In particular, the programme offers exercise classes to improve bone health and strength and balance. The 'Live Stronger for Longer' programme provides information,...

A compression garment is a specialized type of clothing designed to provide gentle, consistent pressure to specific areas of the body. These garments are typically made from elastic materials and are worn snugly against the skin. They come in various styles, such as sleeves, stockings, socks, gloves, each catering to...

As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that can affect our nutritional needs. One key nutrient that older adults need more of is protein. In New Zealand, many older adults may not be getting enough protein in their diets, which can lead to a variety of health problems. Protein...

Research has debunked the common misconception that as we age, our brains lose the ability to learn and retain new information; in fact, older adults can continue to learn and develop new skills throughout their lives. A study conducted by the University of California found that the brains of older...

We would refer you to the following New Zealand websites: Healthify Ministry of Health - Diseases and conditions (Information about the Ministry’s work in relation to diseases and conditions.) Medsafe (Information about medication and medical devices.) Just a thought (New Zealand developed and operated FREE cognitive behavioural therapy online. Cognitive...

Gardening is beneficial for older people because it: is often an enjoyable form of exercise. increases levels of physical activity and helps mobility and flexibility. encourages use of all motor skills. improves endurance and strength. helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis. reduces stress levels and promotes relaxation. Older people often list...

Healthy eating is a major factor in helping people remain in their own homes. Our appetite may decrease as we age but it is still important to eat three meals a day, healthy snacks and foods of high nutritional value. Planning, preparing and cooking meals and keeping regular mealtimes are...

Having good teeth as you age not only means you look better, can smile freely but you probably chew and enjoy your food more too. The dental health of older people has attracted more attention these days as the potential impact of poor oral health on our general health is...

Socialising improves our mood, our mental health, and indirectly our physical health. On those counts alone it’s worth it. Perhaps you’ve lost a partner, or friend who used to accompany you or who you used to meet up with. Just getting out gives you yet unknown opportunities that you wouldn’t...

“A limited range of dental services are funded for some adults. People with disabilities or medical conditions such as mouth cancer may be referred to a hospital for their dental treatment by their usual dental practitioner or GP. People on low incomes who have a Community Services Card may be...

There are many schools of thought on this subject. We offer two for your consideration. For the majority of us we experience some cognitive decline as we get older and surprisingly this often starts in our 20s. A smaller number of people appear to have some protective features that prevent...

Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in New Zealand and the fourth most common cause of cancer death. It is estimated that around 3,000 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed each year in New Zealand, and more than 1,200 people die from the disease. The risk of...

There are many reasons why older people's appetite decrease; cooking for one, ill-fitting dentures, difficulty shopping, finances, and some medications are all factors that could leave them without much of an appetite. However, usually losing your appetite is a symptom of something else. If you are worried about yourself, or...

Maintaining your mental fitness is as important as staying physically fit, and often the two go hand in hand. Factors such as having regular physical exercise; staying well; seeing your doctor when you are unwell and having a good diet all contribute to good mental health. We can also exercise...

The following are commonly identified as important elements of a healthy lifestyle. Exercising, Getting enough sleep, Staying connected with other people, Keeping your brain active, Eating a healthy diet, Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol, Managing your health conditions and regularly reviewing your medication with your doctor. Living a healthy lifestyle...

A car that runs well, is looked after. So too with us; how we function depends on the maintenance of the vehicle that carries us along. While our genetic makeup and our past lifestyle plays a part, there is a lot that can be done to not only maintain our...

Mindfulness is a mental state of awareness that involves being fully present and engaged in the present moment, without judgement or distraction. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, and cultivating a sense of calm and focus. For older New Zealanders, mindfulness can be an effective...

Good bone density means that your bones are less brittle and more resistant to breaking. Retaining bone density is particularly important for women, who are more prone to brittle bones, although men also lose bone density as they age too. There are lots you can do to keep your bones...

We expect that our diet and appetite will change as we age, and to a certain point eating less as you get older is normal. Mobility issues may cause older people to reduce the amount of physical activity they do, and their metabolism may slow down which results in less...

Our eyes and ears can be indicators of our health and may be more implicated in wider health issues that was previously thought. Hearing Good hearing has a far greater impact on our health than has previously been understood. Research suggests a link between hearing loss and mental decline and...