D. Health Outcomes

One of the advantages to the program was that medical staff were able to monitor participants health and we were informed that in the first threes months we had significantly increased their health levels by over 60% through exercise and companionship.

The groups health backgrounds cover the following area:

Heart Bypass (2)
Stroke sufferers (2)
Alzheimer’s Disease (2)
High blood pressure (20)
Diabetes (4)
Arthritis (20)
Stress (20)
Joint replacements (7)
Back problems (14)


E. Project Outcomes

Our Own Well Being built bridges into the wider community through information sessions on personal safety provided by the local police, the Rumbalara Aboriginal Medical Service Doctors and Dietician discussed health topics and dietary needs. Also included was recovery from falls & operations, medications & side effects, and incontinence. The group was able to enjoy afternoon tea with senior citizens in Alexandra and Shepparton. They entertained residents, family and staff at the migrant hostel in Shepparton. They also took it upon themselves to showcase their program during national Aboriginal week’s luncheon, which brings all the state’s elders together for a day in Melbourne. They were the hit of the afternoon. They participated and presented at the Council of The Aged forums.

The elders looked forward to being a part of the program they organised their own Christmas break up which included a full exhibition of what they had been doing with their exercises. At the end they were presented with certificates from the session leaders.

The support for the program has been overwhelming the local GV CDEP (work for the dole scheme) provided weekly surplus fruit and vegies for the elders to take home. An act which was greatly appreciated by the elders and not one which the CDEP would of undertaken.

Younger community members would drop in to watch the tai chi and line dancing. They also were encouraged to participate and join in. Line dancing exhibitions fantastic for their confidence levels and personal growth.

At the time of discussing this project the elders and kwmb also consider a project, which would bring together the youth and others who were not form their community. And as means of supporting their role. KWMB were successful in obtaining ATSIC funds to develop an ELDERS PROTOCOL Document the first of it’s kind by an elders group.