The seniors enjoyed a day out with their contemporaries, were entertained by local artists, received useful information and were treated with delicious South Asian cuisine.

Ms Mubina Jamdar, the Diabetes Dietitian gave an important talk on diet related issues for elderly. While many of us struggle with how to eat less and lose weight, many older adults have the opposite problem.

Age related issues such as chewing problems, loss of appetite, upset stomach, loneliness, depression, sickness, drug-nutrient interactions etc commonly lead to poor nutrition intake among elderly.

This can result in serious health consequences, increased risk of fall and bone fractures, poor outcomes for other health conditions and reduced life expectancy.

Mubina advised seniors to start with the key nutrients in diet: protein, calcium and Vit D. Include protein food in each meal ie egg, daal, tofu, fish, red meat, chicken, nuts, dairy products, up to 3 cups of milk or other dairy products daily for calcium, have sunlight exposure for 15 minutes daily and keep active most of the day.

As we age, while on one hand, absorption and utilisation of micronutrients start to decline, on the other hand, quality and quantity of food intake start to reduce as well.

It’s important to use every meal and snack as an opportunity for optimal nutrition.

For more health and nutrition information, please follow ‘Diabetes Hub Multicultural Australia’ (DHMA) Facebook Page. DHMA is a non-profit organisation.

Mr Nabeel Ansari, an exercise physiologist from Noble Clinical Rehabilitation (NCR) gave another important presentation. Exercise Physiologists are Allied Health Professionals who prescribe, deliver, adapt movement, physical activity, and exercise-based interventions in order to facilitate and optimise health status, as well as function, recovery, and independence.

Exercise Physiologists, unlike Physiotherapists, do not massage, focus on chronic conditions/illnesses and pain and can help manage neurological, muscular conditions/disorders.

Nabeel engaged seniors in a few exercises and answered their questions.  Nabeel can be reached on 0434 258 917 or nabeel@ncrehabilitation.com.au.

Both talks were very well received by the seniors.

Hon Julia Finn MP, Granville applauded SAMAA’s efforts in serving the community. She spoke of her own experience with ageing mother and urged seniors to avail services through SAMAA volunteers and aged care service providers.

Mr Zahid Jamil stressed the need for the community elders to tell their difficulties and old age issues. He said that there is huge reluctance among community seniors due to cultural traditions.

They generally would tell the aged care assessment bodies that their children were looking after them well, which may not be true at times. By doing so, they loose their entitlement of the services which they deserve.

SAMAA has signed Memorandum of Understanding with various providers. As a few Muslim service providers have entered the industry over past few years, SAMAA has been engaging with them.

These include The Gallipoli Home for both Home care and Residential care and The IWAA for Home Care.

The MC’s Mr Fasihuddin Khan and Ms Mecki Ansari urged the community elders and their families to come forward and avail the services which the seniors deserve after lifelong services to their families and the nation.

SAMAA also offers its own volunteering services for seniors during the time when seniors go through assessment for services through service providers.

Sydney Singers Mr Adil Siddiqui and Mr Shahid Malik entertained the audience with thrilling performances, singing popular numbers of 70’s and 80’s. This took seniors to their younger years evoking nostalgia and happiness.

SAMAA senior Mr Rauf Rizvi recited a Naat while Shaikh Nizam Thanvi recited humorous poetry and a Naat to the pleasure of seniors.

Seniors enjoyed meeting their contemporaries after a long time and were thankful to SAMAA for a day of information, entertainment and socializing.

For more details, please visit SAMAA website http://samaa.org.au/ or contact services coordinator Sr Kaukab Nagi on 0468 725 415.