Are you eligible for a free NHS Health Check?

Although we’re legally required to MOT our cars and vehicles every year, there is no such requirement for our bodies.  And yet, for adults aged between 40 and 74 there is a way to do that.

An NHS Health Check is free of charge and available to adults without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.  It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia as well as reducing the risk of developing these conditions by helping people take preventative steps.

So what happens at a Health Check?

Type 2 diabetes, know your risks?

It’s National Diabetes Awareness day on 14 November and what with the rise in obesity, no-sugar diets in the news and worries about what to do here is something you can do that only takes a couple of minutes.

Find out if you are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. You can do this by visiting http://www.diabetes.org.uk/knowyourrisk.

Then read about Shirley Rose from Leeds she found out she was at risk of developing type 2 diabetes following a blood test carried out as part of an NHS Health Check at her GP practice. So what did Shirley do next?

How to stay well this winter ? Get a flu jab

We’ve had a bit of a cold snap in the last couple of days, sunny days becoming frosty nights, it’s time to get out jumpers and fleecy tops. The flu season is upon us and some  may well have already started sneezing and coughing.  What can you do to protect yourself, your family, workmates and possibly the vulnerable people you work with?

Vaccines are one of the greatest public health innovations in recent history and no other medical intervention has done more to save lives. The flu vaccine has been proved to reduce the number of deaths and hospital admissions. Studies have shown that the flu jab does work and will help prevent you getting the flu. It’s not difficult to get a flu jab you can even get one while you’re doing your weekly shop in a supermarket so why are we all so reluctant? Read on to find out the answers to some common queries about the flu jab.

Psst, pass it on people spread information about Through the Maze to people in Leeds

Have you come across Through the Maze? It is an information service for adults with learning disabilities, their family carers and professionals.

On their website and through their newsletters you find out about events, activities and groups being run for people with learning disabilities.

You can also find information and services which are for people with learning disabilities.

So let’s find out about Pass it on People – a group for people with learning disabilities run by people with learning disabilities.

Say it loud – Age Proud Leeds

How do you know when you’re old?  Is it when unasked for information about funeral plans and life insurance are posted through your door?  Or when you realise you don’t know what Snapchat is or you have to scroll further down the tick boxes in the age section?  Some people say old is 20 years on top of whatever age you currently are which just goes to show to a 15 year old being 35 is ancient and to an 80 year old a 60 year old is young.

We are living longer, want to live longer, and it is predicted that more people than ever will receive a telegram from the Queen – who will send her a telegram?   Being old is not something people want to admit to, they hide their age, we are frightened of being old: and yet the milennials of today are the perennials of tomorrow.

On Thursday 3 October Leeds will be the first city in the UK to launch an Age Proud campaign to raise awareness of ageism and change negative attitudes about ageing and older people at Leeds City Museum.

One of the speakers, Joyce Williams, a Yorkshire-born retired physiotherapist, who took up blogging one year ago speaks out about why she decided to write about being old and what it means to be the oldest blogger in town at the age of 80.

What’s happening in Leeds to celebrate International Day of Older Persons?

This year Leeds is celebrating International Day of Older Persons with a number of different events based on this year’s theme: Age Friendly Leeds which will take place throughout Leeds between 30 September and 7 October.

The events are all for older people, some aimed at the general public and others are only for members of the host organisation.

Learn how to blow your own trumpet, try art sessions, craft sessions, exercise, be part of a photographic exhibition, remember the good old days and trip the light fantastic 60s and 70s style and show age is no barrier at an intergenerational event.

100 coming ready or not Leeds 1152 gets ready for the new 2019 season

Beth Rowley, PHD student talking about her thesis

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the 1152 Club, will be starting its 2019 autumn calendar of free fortnightly Friday talks for those aged 55+.  From small beginnings the club has become a thriving group providing not just educational but also social support for its members.

Patrick Bourne, Assistant Community Curator, Kirkstall Abbey and Abbey House Museum, tells us more about the club, how it came to be and how it has gone from strength to strength.