Whanau Ora changed the life of an overweight deaf patient who was living alone, struggling with diabetes and cardiac issues including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
He was referred to the programme by his GP, and Whanau Ora Co-ordinator Mary stepped into action.
She took along a deaf translator on her first home visit and got vital information on the many difficulties the patient was experiencing.
Once she got the details of all his problems, Mary helped on many levels – from encouraging more activity by taking regular walks with him and helping him gradually change his diet, to helping communication with his doctor and even getting his fax machine mended so that, as a deaf person, he can contact Mary and others when they are not with him.
Mary has helped the patient establish a regular regime for his prescribed medication, set up regular appointments with the man’s doctor, and continues to work with him on his diet. He is now starting to eat more fruit and vegetables, and has reduced fats and sugar.
Perhaps, best of all, he has learnt through the Whanau Ora Programme that he doesn’t have to cope with his health issues on his own.
With the patient’s permission, his daughter is now also included as part of his Whanau Ora support and Mary keeps in regular contact with her by email about her brother’s health.