HealthTrax will provide the services of a Personal Health Advocate to manage service coordination on an individual level. The Health Advocate is appointed to provide support to the client to ensure that their Care Plan is fully implemented and to educate the client about their Care Plan. They will essentially provide the information link between the client and service providers.

The Process

• It is proposed that HealthTrax will commence for each client with a client initiated “Adult Health Check” to establish baseline data
• From this, the GP and client will develop a Care Management Plan
• The details of the strategies in the Care Plan will be provided in writing by the GP to the client

• The HealthTrax Health Advocate will work with the client to develop a strategy to link all the various health services into one coordinated team approach. The Advocate will liaise regularly with the client to establish how and what information is shared between the providers.

Protection of individual choice and privacy is of paramount importance within HealthTrax. No information will be stored or exchanged without the prior consent of the client.
The client will continue to exercise control over their decisions regarding health choices, service providers, care coordinator, location and time of service delivery.
They will gain the support of a professional Health Advocate in making informed decisions about their health and how to overcome barriers to accessing services or implementing the plan.
This is a wonderful opportunity for community members to participate in a free program, specifically aimed at better managing chronic disease within a safe and well monitored environment.

For further informatopn please call NCACCH on 5443 3599

Toothbrushing

Why is brushing important?
Daily tooth brushing and flossing easily removes plaque. Plaque is bacteria and food debris on the teeth and gums which irritates the gums causing gingivitis. After eating food that contains sugar and simple starch, the bacteria in plaque produces acid. This acid then attacks your teeth and causes cavities (decay).

What is the correct way to brush my teeth?

Proper tooth brushing is all about technique and being thorough. There are different ways but this is our favoured technique

• Always use a soft bristled toothbrush with a small head to reach your back teeth
• Angle the toothbrush bristles toward the gum line/the neck of the teeth
• Use a round circular motion and apply gentle firm pressure at a 45 degree angle towards the gums
• A back and forth motion should only be used on the biting surfaces of the teeth
• Be systematic and work your way around your mouth. It does not matter where you start but make sure you cover all surfaces
• Floss your teeth as the toothbrush cannot reach between your teeth effectively
• Spend at least 2-3 minutes cleaning your teeth

Older Adults

Older adults face a different set of dental problems, sometimes as a result of having a different set of teeth (ie dentures). A lot of these can be managed by proper professional dental care.

What can I do about my dry mouth?

As you get older, you might be on more prescribed medications for your health. This cocktail of medications may reduce your quantity of saliva, frequently altering your taste sensation as well.
Dry mouth can increase decay incidence as well as cause gum problems. Saliva is important for protecting both teeth and gums. Lack of saliva can also affect the retention of your dentures.
Try drinking more fluoridated tap water, taking more frequent sips. It is important to avoid excessive beverage intake which may be conducive to decay. Artificial saliva replacements are also available at your chemist.

Prescribed medications reduce your quantity of saliva, frequently altering your taste sensation as well

Spend 2 - 3 minutes brushing, be systematic and work your way around your teeth

Here are some more delicious bushfoods from the Tukka Restaurant website. Next time you’re cooking, why not try one of these alternatives:

Desert Lime (Eremocitrus glauca)

Taste: True citrus taste with a distinctive and concentrated lime flavour aligned to the West Indian lime.
Where from: Native to the Brigalow Belt of Central QLD and SA.
Bonus: The fruit is dark green in colour with a porous skin.

Finger Lime (Microcitrus australasica)

Taste: A citrus flavour between lime and grapefruit.
Where from: Rainforests in northern NSW and southern QLD.
Bonus: Grown from a spiny shrub, the fruits are slender and cylindrical and can be green, red or orange. The flesh is made up of many globules, similar in touch and appearance to caviar. Also known as Rainforest Lime.

Illawarra Plum (Podocarpus elatus)

Taste: Plum/cherry characteristics with a little less sweetness and a pleasant yet subtle resinous quality. Where from: Eastern seaboard rainforest from southern NSW to southern QLD.
Bonus: High in Vitamin C and is a fruit of the ‘Brown Pine’.

Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana)

Taste: Mild apricot flavour with a mango-style stone. Where from: Found in the Kakadu region of NT to the Kimberley’s in northwest Australia.
Bonus: It’s an olive-sized green fruit. In 1982 it was discovered to be the world’s highest source of
Vitamin C.

Lemon Aspen (Acronychia acidula)

Taste: Strong citrus flavour with tart aftertaste flavours of eucalypt and honey.
Where from: Tropical northeast, eastern and far north Queensland.
Bonus: The Aspen family of trees is the precursor to citrus

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup wholemeal plain flour
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup macadamia nuts
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 125g butter
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tablespoonsoiling water

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 180C.
2. Sift flour and sugar. Add rolled oats, coconut, macadamia nuts and apricots.
3. Melt butter and golden syrup.
4. Dissolve bicarbonate of soda in boiling water. Add to melted butter and golden syrup.
5. Add mixture to dry ingredients. Mix well.
6. Roll mixture into small balls and place on a lined oven tray. Slightly flatten with a fork.
7. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until browned.
8. Cool for 5 minutes on oven tray before moving onto a cooling rack.

Men’s and Women’s Group

Welcome back to all our committed Men, Women and Guest Speakers that participated during 2007. NCACCH hopes to increase numbers this year and keep you all interested in these important community orientated groups.
The first meeting kicked off with a lunch on the 11 March for the Women and breakfast/lunch on the 14 March for the Men.
These groups are here for the community to give you the opportunity to participate in activities and talks about your business. They are fun, friendly and easy going with the focus on the participants. The individual group decides on their own activity and guest speakers and when the meetings are held.
The meetings last for two hours in which time you will have the chance to have a good feed and talk openly about issues and subjects that affect yourself, your family and your community.
These groups will be held monthly in both Sunshine Coast and Gympie areas.

It is normal to feel these things, but there are ‘Ways of Healing’:

• Take Care of Yourself
• Be with People who Care
• Talk to Someone
• Eat well
• Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
• Get Plenty of Rest
• Express your anger Safely
• It’s Okay to Cry
• Go for a Walk

StandBy is only able to support people bereaved by suicide not those who are suicidal or have attempted suicide. Please call Adult Mental Health on 1300 767 155.