Staying healthy is important.
You can stay health by.
- Eating well
- Staying active
- Sleeping well
- Staying connected to your family and friends
- Managing your mental health
- Visting the doctor for check-ups.
The Disability Gateway video and information tells you about your health and where you can get support.
You can go to their website to learn more or phone them to talk to someone.
Disability Gateway
Phone: 1800 643 787
Interpreter:Â 13 14 57
National Relay Service:Â 1800 555 677
Staying Healthy Easy Read tips
This tip sheet is about staying healthy. It will tell you about:Â
- ways to stay physically healthyÂ
- ways to stay mentally healthyÂ
- where you can find more information
- who you can ask to help you.
Here’s some answer to questions about your health and wellbeing​
What are some signs of sickness?
The Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) has information on some signs of epilepsy, swallowing, diabetes and stomach pain.
How often should I go to the doctor for a check?
Going to see the doctor once a year for a health check helps you stay well.
The CID has fact sheets that tell you about yearly health checks.
What types of health Checks are there?
Health checks can help you stay healthy. The CID has fact that tell you about the different types of health checks.
What should I take when I go the doctors?
The CID has fact sheets that tell you about your visit to the doctor and what you should take. This fact sheet tells you how to speak up and make choices with your doctor.
What do you do after being at the doctors?
The CID has a guide about a health plan and a referral letter.
How to find a new doctor?
The CID has a guide with information on:
- Going to a doctor you know
- Choosing a new doctor
- Working out what you need
- Meeting a new doctor when you are well
- What to take to a new doctor
- Speaking up with a new doctor
Viruses and staying healthy
The CID has a guide that explains how to avoid getting sick from a virus.
Staying connected
The CID has me360 cards available for download. The cards help people with disability have conversations about the important things in their lives.
Each me360 card asks a question that will help young people think about their strengths and goals, and what they need to live a good life.
Friends
The CID has a guide about friends. It will help you:
- Understand why friends are important
- Know who is a good friend
- Find out how to meet new friends
- Be a good friend.
How do I care for my teeth?
Caring for your teeth is important.
The CID has a fact sheet that tells you about how to care for your teeth.
Do you have a Chronic Disease?
Some people have chronic health problems.
Chronic means something lasts a long time. Chronic health problems last six months or more. There are lots of chronic health problems like Asthma, Diabetes and Epilepsy.
Here is a fact sheet with more information about chronic health problems.
Mental health
What is mental health?
Mental health is about how you feel. Feelings can change how you think and what you do. When you feel good you can do everyday things. When you do not feel good it gets hard to cope. The CID has information a guide that tells you:
- What is a sign I need help with my mental health?
- How to ask for help
- What can cause mental health problems.
We all have times when we feel sad or down or feel life is hard. The CID has information about things that can help mental health.
Anchor exercise to help you feel calm
The CID has information on the anchor exercise to help you feel calm. You can use it if you feel scared, stressed or worried.
What happens if I have to go to the hospital?
The CID has information on going to hospital, including:
- Saying yes or no to surgery
- Getting information about surgery
- Planning for surgery
- Going to your hospital check-up
- Speaking up at the check-up
- The day of surgery
- Planning to go home
- Getting better at home.
Do you think you have COVID-19?
The CID has a fact sheet tells you what to do if you think you have COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This guide includes:
- Symptoms of COVID-19
- Testing
- What happens if you have Coronavirus
- What your health and disability support workers must do.
Looking after your health during COVID-19
The CID has a guide that can tell you how to look after your health during COVID-19.Â