The Star: May 09, 2019

2
[Edition datE]
The Star Thursday May 9 2019
super gold card
The value of
the Gold Card
The SuperGold Card is a discounts and
concessions card for seniors and veterans,
in recognition of their contribution to
New Zealand society.
What you receive by being a SuperGold
Card member:
• discounts and offers from more than
8,900 businesses and more than 13,700
outlets nationwide
• government concessions (including
free off-peak public transport)
• discounted services from your local
councils
The SuperGold Card offers a connection
to people who become new friends as well
as a trusted resource for information about
life’s daily questions.
The website is located at https://www.
supergold.govt.nz/ for an application or to
sign up for their newsletter. Their website
it a tremendous resource which provides
answers for topics of interest or concern.
Their monthly newsletter offers
information about important topics.
This month mentions that the shingles
immunisation has been added to the
National Immunisation Schedule and will
be free for people aged 65 from 1 April this
year. Under the changes the shingles
immunisation will also be free for the
next two years for people aged 66 to
80.
Every year one in three people
aged 65 and older will have a fall.
For those aged 80 and over, the risk
increases to one in two people. But a
new movement has been launched to
help people over 65 stay healthy, active
and independent. ‘Live Stronger for
Longer’ is an initiative by government
agencies and health providers across
New Zealand aimed specifically at
people over 65. The aim is to provide
people practical advice – whether
they’re still working, recently retired,
or happily enjoying retirement. Falls
prevention is key and regular exercise
is one of the best things you can do
to help reduce the risk of falls. And
you don’t have to do it alone. The
‘Live Stronger for Longer’ website has
links to local groups who run strength
and balance classes. All the classes
are designed to support Seniors to
build their leg and core strength and
improve their balance. There’s something
for everyone, from Pilates, tai chi, chair
yoga and light circuit classes. Find out if
there’s a class in your area and look for the
approved quality tick logo. This ensures
that the class has been approved as safe
and effective for older people. For more
information, go to www.livestronger.org.
nz. Plan ahead Falls can happen at any
time.
The Minister for Seniors Tracey Martin
mentions the growing problem of social
isolation for older people. It comes after
new research shows that one in five frail
elderly New Zealanders identify as lonely.
Loneliness has become a bit of a public
issue recently, although people generally
think of it as a problem for senior New
Zealanders, actually it isn’t. Loneliness
actually decreases as people get older
(11.3% of people aged 48-59 felt lonely,
compared to 6.6% aged 79-90). But
loneliness (a lack of quality and closeness
in relationships) and isolation (where
people simply don’t have relationships) are
still major issues for older people and the
SuperGold Card has some solutions which
can be read online at their website.
DIABETES CHCH
[Edition datE] 3
Opening of the new
To celebrate the
anniversary of the
inaugural opening of the
Diabetes Christchurch
Society (the first ever
diabetes society in New
Zealand) and finally the
relocation of our diabetes
society premises to 21
Carlyle Street, Sydenham David Meates
we are having our Grand
Opening on Friday, May 17th, 2019
starting at 3.00pm. The CEO of the
CDHB, David Meates will be our special
guest who will open the new premises.
In Canterbury we have over 21,000
people with known diabetes and another
20,000 people have pre-diabetes,
and many of these don’t know it.
Approximately 11% have type 1 diabetes
and around 86% have type 2 diabetes.
There is correspondingly a significant
rise in gestational diabetes. People with
diabetes account for 4.1% of the enrolled
population. Maori, Pacific and Indian
populations are more than 50% more
likely to have diabetes than the enrolled
population.
Diabetes Christchurch Inc is a support
organisation for people in Canterbury
who have diabetes, their family and
friends. We offer support, information,
advocacy and non-clinical education
on all aspects of diabetes. Our shop
has a wide range of products including
blood glucose meters, strips, lancets,
fingerpickers, ketone test strips, diabetes
STOP BLISTERS
TAKE YOUR FIRST STEPS TOWARDS HAPPY FEET
30g NET
SIMPLE TO USE
PREVENTS FRICTION
ABSORBS MOISTURE
BREATHES AROUND
SKIN
info@woolit.co.nz
100% natural wool
blister prevention
for walkers, athletes,
diabetics and other
blister prone feet
Product
of New
Zealand
LONG FIBRE FOR
CUSHIONING
SOOTHING NATURAL
LANOLIN
NO ADHESIVES
BIODEGRADABLE
www.woolit.co.nz
and gluten free cookbooks, hypo
treatments, medical grade shoes and
socks, travel bags, Jok ‘n Al sauces and
toppings, and sugar-free treats. Via our
website: www.diabeteschristchurch.
co.nz all these diabetes products are also
available online.
Our programmes span from awareness
to prevention, to engagement and
support. The society is about supporting
people with diabetes and is about making
meaningful connections with those people
affected by or at risk of diabetes. We want
every person affected by, or at risk of
diabetes in Canterbury to have access to
the support needed to live a full and active
life.
Diabetes is the result of the body not
creating enough insulin to keep blood
glucose (sugar) levels in the normal range
(between 4 and 8). Everyone needs some
glucose in their blood, but if it’s too high it
can damage your body over time.
The four most common
types of diabetes are
type 1, type 2, gestational
and pre-diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is an ‘auto-immune’
condition where the body attacks the insulin
producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin must
therefore be delivered several times daily
by injection or insulin pump. There is no
known cause and no cure to date.
On 31st May,
1956, 43 people
attended a meeting
convened by Mr C.
Maitland Sheppard
and Emeritus
Professor Sir Don
Beaven to form
the Christchurch
Diabetes Society ~
the first lay group
for diabetes to be
established in
New Zealand.
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