As we grow older, our bodies and minds undergo a range of changes as a natural part of ageing.

As individuals, these changes can impair our quality of life and wellbeing by restricting activity, mobility, social connectedness and community participation.

This is why it’s important to take a positive and personalised step towards healthy ageing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined healthy ageing as a “positive concept emphasising social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities.”

To take a step towards healthy ageing is to look at ways to improve, both your mental and physical health. Look at any changes you can make to positively change your lifestyle and reduce your risk of some preventable aging downfalls. Be proactive with your health, visit the doctor routinely and take charge of your medications.

Being social can also positively impact both your mental and physical health! Routine and scheduled social activities are a great way to interact with the community and meet with people who are experiencing the same changes.

Parkes Pharmacy offers a range of services to help you take control of your health. These services include blood pressure and blood glucose tests, dose administration aids, medication checks and a free delivery service!

We can provide remedies and advice for minor ailments, such as magnesium supplements for muscle health, and other worrying health issues. But most importantly we are always here for a chat. So, pop into store today to see how we can help personalise your healthy ageing approach.

“Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living” – WHO

Patients, families and carers will soon benefit from refurbishments to Parkes Hospital and Orange Health Service thanks to a $245,000 boost from the NSW Government.

Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said the refurbishments in Orange and Parkes would help bring comfort to people at the end of life.

In Parkes, the funding will be used to create a larger and more private space for palliative care patients and their families and improvements are also planned for a courtyard area near the inpatient unit.

The Aboriginal Health Worker in Palliative Care will work with the local health service team to create culturally appropriate and comfortable spaces.

“For many people, our hospitals are the best possible place to be cared for in their last days of life, so it’s important we provide comfortable and private spaces and facilities for both patients and their families.”

“Providing good palliative care is a priority for us, and we are working with partner organisations to develop services both in the community and in our hospitals,” said Scott.

Parkes and Orange hospitals are two of 34 palliative care facilities across the state to be refurbished over the next two years.

The NSW Government’s 2019-20 budget commitment also includes recruitment of 100 new palliative care nurses, more Aboriginal Health Workers, and support for digital health to improve access to palliative care.

Baker Dental is adding another wonderful dentist to their team, Dr Clement Chan.

Clement graduated from La Trobe University in Bendigo and spent five years studying and living around regional Victoria before moving to Parkes. Clement has grown to love the country style and people.

He enjoys all aspects of clinical dentistry, with a particular interest in minor oral surgery and aesthetic restorative procedures. He takes great pleasure in giving people the smile they want. Clement understands that a dental visit can be an intimidating experience and strives to make it as comfortable as possible for the patient.

Outside of work, his hobbies and interests include: reading, tennis, trying out new cuisines and overseas travel.

Clement will be working with our principle dentist Dr John Shim, and is excited to be a part of the Baker Dental team.

To make an appointment to see Clement call the surgery on 6862139. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with any news and promotions they may offer in 2020.

The new Neighbourhood Central Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program for older people is just about to commence.

The 20-week program will offer a variety of relaxing and fun modified activities to increase health and wellbeing and will accommodate all levels of ability.

There will be activities in Parkes and Forbes, with some selected sessions in Peak Hill and Condobolin. Transport will be offered to selected events for people in areas such as Trundle and Tullamore.

Sessions will include hydrotherapy, Tai Chi, yoga in a chair, older adults fitness group, and music and singing groups. There will also be information workshops to help increase health awareness and promote falls strategies to prevent or delay further entry into the aged care system, make you feel good and keep you living in your home for longer.

It’s time to register! If you are over 65, or 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, call Louise 0409 372 742 or Rachel 0456 800 328, or drop in or call our Parkes office on 6862 3757.

A $20 registration fee applies to cover activity costs – that’s only $1 per week! There are limited numbers for each session, so call now to join in the fun.

Registrations are also open at Neighbourhood Central for the Seniors Festival program from 10 – 14 February – $5 for all events.

Jemima Plumridge has been coming to Baker Dental Group for over eight years providing a high standard of oral health services and education to our patients.

Over the years Jemima has worked tirelessly on her own education and patient skills to deliver the best possible care to her patients. She takes the trust of her patients very seriously and the relationships she builds.

By having Jemima come to Baker Dental and perform the treatments she offers such as periodontal treatment, has saved patients specialist fees and travel expenses. Baker Dental is proud to have Jemima as a part of the team, educating not only the patients she sees but our staff as well.

Jemima is very passionate about oral hygiene because the mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body and poor oral hygiene can lead to poor health.

If you are worried about the health of your mouth or even just putting off that general clean don’t hesitate to call us for an appointment with Jemima.

Chiropractic Life has recently opened practices in Parkes and Forbes. Chiropractic Life is a family focused practice where all can feel welcome and belong. We provide the tools and support to help our practice members achieve their health and wellness goals.

Dr Adam McKenzie opened the first Chiropractic Life practice in the Northern Territory in 2015. Since then Chiropractic Life has grown to support rural and regional communities of Australia. We have established practices in Cowra, Canowindra and Grenfell too.

We offer contemporary chiropractic health care focused on your body’s master control system: your nervous system. State of the art digital x-rays and motion study which couples together Roger Sperry’s Nobel Prize winning work that 90% of the stimulation and nutrition to your brain come from movement of your spine. We provide world leading health and wellness tools currently used by high performing athletes and business professionals across the globe. We are excited to announce that services coming soon to Forbes and Parkes include an iFloat Tank (sensory deprivation therapy), red-light therapy and an infrared sauna.

Chiropractic Life is heavily involved in each community we practice in with local sponsorship programs available for sporting clubs and support for community organisations. We also regularly offer free spinal health checks and business health talks where our doctors go out into the community to speak to locals about their structural function and wellness. As an entity we raise funds for charities such as Royal Children’s Hospital, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Australian College of Chiropractic, Spinal Health Research, New Zealand College of Chiropractic, Tan Ari, with initiatives such as our annual Christmas Toy Drive, workshops and Dinner with the Doc.

A Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) practitioner has won the prestigious Hepatitis NSW Cheryl Burman Award.

Aboriginal Sexual Health Practitioner Bev Tyson won the annual award for her out- standing work in NSW in the fight against viral hepatitis.

HIV/AIDS and Related Programs Unit (HARP) and Women’s Health Manager at WNSWLHD, Ann Ryan, said the District was extremely proud of Bev. “She is a standout. Bev has been a core member of the sexual health services in the WNSWLHD Northern Sector since starting her role as the Aboriginal Sexual Health Worker in 1999,” Ann said.

“She has been integral in building our service’s reputation for clinical excellence and community engagement.”

Bev completed her Aboriginal Sexual Health Practitioner qualification in 2017, and is now redefining how rural and remote positions like hers can operate to deliver better services to communities.

“Bev’s attitude is what makes her a standout. She is never ‘too busy’ to help anyone in the team and community and Bev consistently puts in extra effort to connect with, support and build the success of her colleagues and those around her,” Ann said. “Bev’s commitment to ensuring communities have equitable access to clinical services is evident by her willingness to get into small planes and fly out to far flung towns in need of outreach services, despite being petrified of flying in them.”

Bev is also involved in a number of outreach clinics including: Juvenile Justice, Alcohol & Other Drug Services in Dubbo and Wellington.

“With a ‘can do’ attitude and willingness to get in and keep the day-to-day work of the clinic working smoothly, Bev’s also open to trying new ways of working. An important mentor and support for incoming staff across all roles, Bev promotes cultural awareness and excellence in service delivery.”

She also supports initiatives like the Central Western Rainbow Alliance and Central West Trans and Gender Diverse Network to break down barriers and provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to better access the clinic services in community settings.

Trying to find the best way to whiten your teeth before 2020 arrives? Even with little time left, you’ve still got some options.

Pregnant women and their families are reminded that babies from Parkes and surrounding communities will still be born at Forbes Hospital, while a new maternity service model is being developed.

The Forbes Hospital has midwifery, obstetric and anaesthetic services available around the clock.

Lachlan Health Service Manager, Liz Mitchell, said work on the new Lachlan Maternity Service was progressing and the community would receive regular updates.

Birthing is currently not available at Parkes Hospital, however procedures are in place to respond to emergencies. Parkes Hospital continues to provide women with pre and post-natal care and fortnightly clinics.

In the future, women will be able to choose to have their babies in the Parkes Hospital if the pregnancy and birth are assessed to be low risk. If an induction of labour or a caesarean section is required then this would occur in Forbes.

During each pregnancy, an assessment is made to identify the safest location for birth, taking into consideration the wellbeing of both mother and baby. In some cases, where higher level care is needed, this may be Orange Hospital or, on occasion Nepean Hospital.

Anyone with questions about accessing maternity services in Parkes or Forbes is encouraged to contact Parkes Hospital on 6861 2400 or Forbes Hospital on 6850 7100.