Residents aged 55 and over will have the opportunity to attend more than 30 free healthy ageing workshops across Hepburn Shire under a new partnership between Hepburn Shire Council and aged care provider mecwacare.
The workshops are designed to provide practical information to help older residents maintain their health, independence and social connections. Topics include nutrition, heart health, sleep, mental wellbeing, staying socially connected and navigating aged care services. Carers are also encouraged to attend.
The program supports Council’s Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, which identifies increasing active living and improving mental wellbeing as key priorities.
Mayor Cr Tony Clark said the sessions offered more than health information.
“These workshops are a chance to learn, share experiences and connect with others in the community,” Cr Clark said.
“We know that living in rural and regional areas can sometimes make it harder to access services and support, which is why these sessions are so important. They empower people with knowledge, build confidence and help them take control of their health and wellbeing.”
The workshops also build on Hepburn Shire’s No Barrier Positive Ageing Strategy 2022-2030, which aims to create a more age-friendly community. The strategy responds to the Shire’s older demographic, with almost half of all residents aged 55 or over, well above the Victorian average. It focuses on improving access to information, transport, housing, social participation, health services and community inclusion.
Hepburn Shire has promoted positive ageing initiatives for several years following reforms that saw direct aged care services transferred from Council to specialist providers, including mecwacare, while Council retained its advocacy and community development role.
mecwacare is a Victorian not-for-profit aged care provider that delivers home care, residential aged care and community health programs across metropolitan and regional Victoria. It regularly runs education programs covering healthy eating, dementia awareness and healthy ageing.
The workshops will be held at venues throughout the Shire over coming months. Attendance is free, although registrations are required.
A full program and booking information is available on Council’s Positive Ageing events webpage.
This article is based on a media release from Hepburn Shire Council.
