Brain health highlighted at kaumātua expo

The importance of brain health was highlighted at a recent expo focused on supporting wellbeing as people age.

Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust’s Kaumātua Health, Housing and Technology Expo 2023 was held in Hamilton in November, with about 100 kaumātua joining.

Chairman Owen Purcell QSM opened the day, which was hosted by Associate Professor Dr Sophie Nock.

The event started with Kumba (a kaumātua version of Zumba) to get everyone moving, and included panels, kai and expo stalls.

Attendees were also encouraged to be part of a recorded video message to the new government on what they can do to support their health and wellbeing via a video booth.

Dementia Learning Centre Dementia Advisor Ellen Bragger (pictured above) joined a technology panel alongside NZ Telehealth Leadership Group Chairperson Dr Ruth Large and so50.org CEO Magno Barros and shared more about assistive technology.

Ellen says it was great to learn more about all the advances in technology – like telehealth or artificial intelligence – but wanted to let people know it doesn’t always have to be complicated.

“Sometimes it’s the simple stuff that can be most effective. The fact that your toothbrush or a fork is assistive technology can be forgotten – all the way to a walking stick or a walking frame,” she says.

“Good technology should be adding to your health and life and not making it harder.”

Ellen had a chat with many of the attendees during the expo to share the importance of keeping your brain healthy.

“It was good to share that message, and even more so for Māori are at a higher risk of developing dementia mate wareware. They’re also in a beautiful position within their whānau to share that message further with their kids,” she says.

“It was a great opportunity to work with Rauawaawa and be part of the amazing work that their staff do.”

Other organisations represented on the day included Stroke Foundation, Diabetes New Zealand and Epilepsy New Zealand.