And of the almost 1.2 million Australians living with type 2 diabetes, 59 per cent are aged 65 or over?
Learn more at a free forum by community group Healthy Living Toongabbie (HLT) called ‘Healthy Ageing: Ageing Well
Through the Ages on Thursday, November 14 - 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Toongabbie Sports Club. From 5.30pm, you can also get a free diabetes risk assessment.
In collaboration with Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD), HLT was formed four years ago by a group of passionate Toongabbie health professionals, business people and residents concerned at the high number of residents in their community with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Members are dedicated to educating the community about diabetes, pre-diabetes and healthier food options and lifestyle.
President Mani Manoharan, an Endocrinologist based in western Sydney, said after a successful forum on women’s health, that HLT is now addressing the wellbeing of the ageing population.
“Ageing has a unique health implication which is inevitable,” Dr Manoharan said.
“HLT is bringing in experts to empower your knowledge on how to manage them with vitality and assist your family gracefully.”
She said a recent study revealed Australians with diabetes are increasingly dying from conditions not usually linked to diabetes, like dementia and falls.
Dr Manoharan said 84 people aged 65 and over out of 1000 had been diagnosed with dementia, and this is the tip of the iceberg.
“Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia,” she said.
“Caring for a family member who has dementia can be rewarding but also physically and mentally demanding.”
As part of the forum, experts will share insights on how to connect and find support.
Details: 6.30pm-8pm, Thursday, November 14, at Toongabbie Sports Club, 12 Station Rd, Toongabbie. Register: Sumathy.Ravi@health.nsw.gov.au Visit www.healthylivingtoongabbie.org
