A recent Seniors Forum on Health held at the Remuera-Newmarket Community Centre, was well received and the community is already looking forward to the next one.
Topics for the full day forum were decided upon by those interested in attending the forum itself, as arranged by the Community Wellbeing Network, which toured retirement homes and sought community input prior to setting the forum themes.
Topics that were requested the most, ranged from brain and mental health through to physical health issues. Lecturers and learning opportunities were delivered by experts in each area. Of note was the presentation by Professor Sir Richard Faull from the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research, who offered informative insights into human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
The day was concluded by Kevin Lamb the CEO of Age Concern Auckland, who spoke on the importance reducing severe social isolation and where to find help and support for those in need
Despite months in the planning, including an extra 12 months due to the COVID-19 restrictions, ironically it was this extended timeframe which enabled the forum organisers to connect with a wider range of seniors.
“Due to extended timeframe many of the retirement villages and seniors club had become skilled at online meeting tools, which wasn’t the case 12 months earlier” explained Terry Moore of the Community Wellbeing Network which ran the forum.
“We were able to include those who were not willing or unable to attend in person, and that really helped ensure the message got out there.“
“Many aspects of the forum were a first for our local area especially the cooperation between senior networks. The overall success of the event means that we are hopeful that the seed has been planted and will give rise to growing community engagement for independent seniors.”
All the details about the speakers and their topics are still online at seniorsforumonhealth.nz
This event was made possible through funding from Ōrākei Local Board because it met the boards funding priorities:
- Activities that are led by the community, encourage and support people from all walks of life at actively participate in their community.
- The community benefits from a number of community events.
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