Men's Health Group:

In line with the National Male Health Policy the Italian Day Centre has recently introduced a dedicated Mens’ Health/Issues HACC programme for its’ clients.

Related services include wide ranging “Health Topic” information sessions, usually held on a bi-monthly basis and linguistically, tailored either in the English or Italian languages.

The health regime includes a range of exercise programmes, and walking groups, as an example, have proven to be popular and most enjoyable for the majority of clients.

For more information regarding the Mens Health programme contact Mario Ghedini at the centre, or e-mail.

Women's Health Topics:

Health topics and activities are an important issue for the clients of the Italian Day Centre.

In our Wednesday group, we have mostly ladies attending, and while shopping has been popular, we are increasing the variety of activities, to incorporate

• Art Therapy, such as making cards, preparing dry flower arrangements etc, to encourage relaxation, increased self esteem, develop healthy coping skills etc. Visits to Botanical Gardens to observe autumn colours etc. should also encourage comfort and ability to express feelings
   

• Music Therapy, such as listening to tapes and CD’s that clients bring and like to share, to increase relaxation, stimulation, pain or stress management.
   

• General health and wellbeing for women by organising speakers from Hobart Women Health Centre and other organizations, as well as providing stimulus for laughter by inviting Act One players to perform for us
   

• Dance-Movement Therapy is practised with our mixed group on Thursdays and is very popular; the participants understand the interrelationship between physical, emotional and cognitive dimensions of human behaviour. We use popular music tunes, with positive and encouraging verbal encouragement and easy to follow body movements.

Other health topics, such as depression, dementia, diabetes, incontinence etc. will be discussed by professional speakers in the hope of improving our clients’ knowledge and prevention of these conditions.

For more information regarding Women’s Health programmes call Danijela Hlis at the Centre or email e-mail.