![Senior woman in the park](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/e4bedbd3ee/adobestock_274530333_web.jpg/m//960x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Health & Wellbeing
Find practical information on a range of health and wellbeing topics specifically for older Australians.
![Image of an older woman out on a bush walk drinking water from a bottle](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/87e43d8dfa/compass_dehydration_featureimage_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
The ABCs of dehydration
Staying hydrated is more important for health, wellbeing and enjoyment of life than many people realise. Dietitian Ngaire Hobbins explains why.
![Picture of a two women sitting outside on a bench eating an apple](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/b0cc747160/compass_ageisminwriting_mainimage_2.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Ageism in health advice
I am often frustrated by the ageism I witness in health messaging. This failure can end up causing unnecessary harm. Ngaire Hobbins, dietician and aged-care consultant
![I mage of an older south east asian man in a part with his family](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/ec591ead32/compass_diabeties_featureimage_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Ageing well with diabetes
If you have diabetes, actively managing your health needs can boost your chances of living the independent, enjoyable life you want.
![Image of a smiling older woman](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/b0dcf5b422/compass_oralhealthandageing_featureimage_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Biting into life: oral health and your wellbeing
Having a healthy smile is not just for the cameras—oral health is important.
![Image of two women having a coffee together and laughing.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/01e37ffc95/compass_covid19_featureimage_2.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
COVID-19 boosters
The Australian Government has updated its advice about COVID-19 booster doses for Australians aged over 60.
![Plate of salmon, potatoes and salad](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/9847f0fce0/shutterstock_1826868410_web.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Eating well in your 60s, 70s and beyond
From your mid 60s, eating for health and wellbeing needs a different approach.
![Image of an older smiling man](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/b61778703a/compass_featureimage_brainhealth_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Good brain food
Can anything reduce our chances of developing dementia in older age? What we eat and how we live could make all the difference.
![Image of an older woman outside in a garden full of flowers](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/d56bf3c266/compass_oralcancer_featureimage_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Guarding yourself against oral cancer: know your risk
Oral cancer is more common in older Australians, and early detection often leads to better outcomes.
![Image of an older woman placing a hearing aid into her left ear](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/5d26d80e65/compass_featureimage_hearingaustralia_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Hearing loss and elder abuse
Neglect is a form of elder abuse that can be unintentional, and hearing loss in older people can leave them vulnerable. What can we do to prevent it? 6 min read
![Image of a smiling Asian man wearing a red cap.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/79cc708c2d/compass_skincancerandchecks_feature_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
How to protect yourself from skin cancer
It's never too late to start protecting your skin from skin cancer. Here we talk about some ways to prevent it and what to do if you see something suspicious.
![Image of an older asian man standing outside](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/555ba31ccf/compass_featureimage_saliva-it-smoreimportantthanyouthink_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Saliva: more important than you think!
As silent indicators of health and wellbeing, dry mouth and other saliva changes are surprisingly significant. Find out why – and how – you should pay attention to this condition.
![Photo of older Asian woman eating a bowl of rice](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/960x643/23c2fba0d7/shutterstock_1815923774_feature_2.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
The food they (don’t) eat: elder abuse by neglect?
Adequate and appropriate nutrition is no less important in old age than at any other time of life.
![Older, balding man sitting at a table eating a small leafy salad](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/1e11ab5732/compass_featureimage_appetitedeception_2.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
The appetite deception: why some older people eat less than they need
The nutritional needs of older people are quite particular, and if those needs aren’t met it can affect not only the person’s health, but also their independence and quality of life.
![Image of an older woman looking out a window](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/1440x960/3154bedb33/compass_traumarecoverandhealing_featureimage_1.jpg/m//720x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Trauma, recovery and older people
The effects of trauma are more widely acknowledged now than in the past. How do older people experience trauma, and how can they recover?
Health & Wellbeing Resources
![Staying active and on your feet](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/720x980/8ec13afc1d/2711_compass_june20_stayingactiveandonyourfeet_feature.jpg/m//600x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Staying active and on your feet
This booklet is full of ideas and information about ways to reduce your risk of falling.
![6 Questions to ask your clinician](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/720x980/9c755a7368/2711_compass_june20_medication6questions_feature.jpg/m//600x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Medication: 6 questions to ask your clinician
Here’s a list of questions that will enable you to make an informed decision about the medication you are being prescri...
![Rights, choices, and dignity of risk – a human rights perspective](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/720x980/8e29a5de31/2711_compass_june19_rightschoicesanddignity_feature.jpg/m//600x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Rights, choices, and dignity of risk – a human rights perspective
In this article Tilé Imo, from Caxton’s Family, Domestic Violence, and Elder Law Practice, looks at risk taking for old...
![Ageism and HIV](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/720x980/68e84e26a8/2711_compass_june16_resource_ageismandhiv_feature.jpg/m//600x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Ageism and HIV
This article explores a man’s journey from HIV diagnosis at the age of 21 until now as he approaches old age.
![The Handy Guide for Older Women](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/720x980/82bfbdf3e2/2711_compass_may30_resource_handyguideforolderwomen_feature.jpg/m//600x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
The Handy Guide for Older Women
Are you an older woman and worried about your housing? Download the latest Handy Guide for Older Women.
![Rainbow Realities: in-depth analyses of large-scale LGBTQA+ health and wellbeing data in Australia 2024](https://a.storyblok.com/f/119877/720x980/3867c72883/compass_resourcefeatureimage_report_rainbowrealitiesin-depthanalysesoflarge-scalelgbtqahealthandwellbeingdatainaustralia_1.jpg/m//600x0/smart/filters:quality(65):format():fill())
Rainbow Realities: in-depth analyses of large-scale LGBTQA+ health and wellbeing data in Australia 2024
The Rainbow Realities report has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care to inform dev...
Health & Wellbeing News
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