Free Health Checks to Help You Live Longer and Stronger

By having some simple tests and seeking professional advice, you can take positive steps towards maintaining good health and avoiding chronic illness like kidney and cardiovascular disease.

Free health sessions are being offered at the 2016 Have a Go Day at Burswood Park on 9 November to help you stay on the right track.

Brought to you by Juniper’s Outreach and Wellness team and supported by the Council on the Ageing WA (COTA WA), you can have your body mass index (BMI) measured and blood pressure checked by qualified staff.

“By measuring these variables, you can monitor your overall health and assess your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and even things such as dementia,” Juniper Dietician Caitlin Parker said.

“BMI is calculated on a person’s weight compared to their height and blood pressure is the application of a simple arm cuff we know from GP visits.

“If you don’t look after your health, your risk of chronic diseases can increase. Knowing what your readings are and treating them accordingly can help to reduce your risk”.

“For example, untreated hypertension (high blood pressure) can increase your risk of stroke or kidney damage. If high blood pressure is treated with lifestyle modification and/or medication, your risk is decreased.”

The free health checks by Caitlin (pictured, right) and Juniper Community Nurse Janet Anderson will be supported by handy presentations.

COTA WA is excited to be partnering with Juniper at Have a Go Day and emphasising the health benefits of screening, said Chief Executive Officer Trish Langdon.

“COTA WA will also be promoting its health and wellness programs such as Living Longer Living Stronger and Mall Walking which assist with maintaining strength and balance, psychological wellbeing and opportunities for community connection,” she said.

The Juniper Outreach and Wellness Program delivers low and no-cost services to seniors including health management for a range of chronic health conditions.

Free at-home health monitoring is also available through Juniper’s Telehealth service, for those who meet the criteria. Assisted by their doctor, Telehealth helps people with chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease and/or diabetes to monitor their condition from home to better understand and manage their health to reduce hospital visits.

Juniper’s one-on-one podiatry, which includes the treatment of problematic nails, corns, calluses and foot-related issues plus associated footwear assessment are included in the program.

Click here for more information on Juniper's aged care and retirement living services.