Steenberg residents attended a health and wellness day at Steenberg Community Hall on Thursday 15 September, to promote healthy habits.
Facilitated by the Compassionate Action Trust, young and old gathered to have their blood pressure checked, among other things.
Florence Barnes, a nurse coordinator from the Trust in Steenberg, said the health of each and every person was in their own hands.
“It’s important for people to take control of their own lifestyle and it’s not too late to change your lifestyle.
“Habits like lack of exercise, smoking, drinking and things like that are some of the bad lifestyles. It’s not only older people but also children who have unhealthy lifestyles.”
Barnes added that they were requested to assist the Retreat Clinic with support.
“Doctors at Retreat have requested our support because they are finding that a lot of their patients don’t adhere to their medication and then they come back over weekends, especially when they are short staffed, they come back with high blood pressure and the facility is overwhelmed over weekends.
“The initiative started from (Thursday) 1 September and they are planning to start wellness hubs in the community.
“We are looking at venues to start, but the first wellness hub will be at the central distribution unit which is Retreat Day Hospital. Here the doctor will see patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and send them over to the nurses who will educate and advise them. After that an appointment will be scheduled for the person to attend a wellness hub in the community.”
The nurses also offer home-based care and postnatal care in the communities of Steenberg and Retreat.
“We offer home-based care, but we also adhere to an integrated package of care as mandated by the department of health.
“Our services include postnatal care; we support psychiatric patients with regard to their compliance with medication and we also support if there are any social issues.
“We also work closely with social workers at Victoria Hospital, Groote Schuur and Mowbray Maternity Hospital and Retreat Day Hospital.”
The wellness hub will include mass exercise classes such as aerobics.
“They are also looking at having mass aerobics classes which they are already having in areas such as Bonteheuwel that they want to start in Retreat. We’ve been having meetings with researchers at UCT (University of Cape Town) where they are planning to start the hubs and giving their input.”
Ward 68 councillor Marita Petersen thanked residents for attending and encouraged them to take charge of their own health.
“Great attendance and participation this morning at Steenberg Community Hall.
“Big shout out to the Compassionate Action Trust with Anne Albrecht, Sister Barnes, Director Alesia Bosman and her staff and even our Steenberg police and Seawinds Clinic Staff.
“Thanks to Ward 68 for taking your health and wellness seriously.”
