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Dear Friend,
It may still be warm in many parts of Western Australia, but Winter will be upon us before we know it, so now is the perfect time to take stock and ask yourself “Am I ready?”
It’s an important question to be asking now, and not when the cold and wet weather has arrived. How long has it been since you updated your asthma or COPD Action Plan? Are you taking your medications as prescribed? What about your device technique, are you really doing it correctly?
We want to arm you with everything you need to stay well (physically and emotionally) this Winter, including COVID-19 resources, flu vaccination information and useful tips to stay healthy – there’s plenty to read and share.
If you are unsure of anything, please remember we are here for you. There are no silly questions, and we've heard it all. Our Respiratory Health Team is available via phone, video and telehealth (and it’s FREE!). So, give us a call on (08) 9289 3600 to book your personalised consultation.
Wishing you all the very best in health and happiness,
Donna Rendell
Chief Executive Officer
Asthma WA
P.S. Also check out our Winter Checklist with other tips on how you can prepare for the season ahead.
Flu vaccinations
It’s that time of year when we need to start thinking about flu vaccinations. Over the last couple of years, we have not seen as many cases in Western Australia, however many experts are expressing their concern for a bad influenza season this year, particularly for young children.
Flu vaccinations are expected to be available from mid-April, so over the coming weeks, we encourage you to speak with your doctor about when they are likely to have the vaccine available so you can book your appointment for you and your family.
By keeping up with your annual flu vaccination, you are creating extra protection for yourself against the common strains of the virus and helping to take some of the pressure off our health system that is already under strain.
Living well with COVID-19 in our community
As community COVID-19 cases increase in Western Australia, people with respiratory conditions may be feeling more anxious and uncertain. We have created a COVID-19 Hub on our website which we will regularly update with new information and recommendations to help you prepare for COVID-19 in our community.
New COPD Resources
Asthma WA and the WA Country Health Service have developed two new resources for adults living with COPD.
These were designed to improve readability and accessibility, so patients with COPD can better understand and self-manage their condition.
Keep moving
As we move into the cooler months of the year, it becomes a lot easier and more comfortable to exercise outside. Not only does it help our mental health but doing regular cardio and strength activities is a great way to improve your lung health too. This is super important for anyone with respiratory conditions, as stronger muscles use oxygen more efficiently, which in turn reduces the workload of the heart and lungs.
Ideally, we should aim for 30 minutes of exercise each day, however even shorter bursts of gentle activity can be beneficial if you’re just getting started. If you have asthma, COPD or another medical condition, you should always talk with your GP before drastically changing your exercise regime.
You can also reach out to Asthma WA for a free education session with our Respiratory Health Team, who can help you develop a plan to better manage your respiratory health.
Meet Johanna
We love getting to know our team members better, so this week we sat down for a chat with Johanna, one of our Respiratory Health Nurses who joined our team only a few weeks ago.
Johanna was born in Ireland, has lived in the Middle East and Africa, and has more than 25 years of experience as a registered nurse. Most recently, she held a role as a clinical nurse in the WA prison system. A busy professional and mum, Johanna still manages to find the time to support her swimming-star son and complete a postgraduate degree
Do you need a spacer mask?
When using a spacer, if a person or child cannot form a seal around the mouthpiece, it is recommended that a face mask be used to aid effectiveness. We have several types and sizes in stock , which you can order from our online store, or call us on (08) 9289 3600.
Upskilling for health professionals
Regularly throughout the year, we run a series of webinars and videos designed for health professionals. These cover a range of topics relating to asthma and COPD and provide health professionals the opportunity to upskill or have quick refreshers in this space.
Our most recent webinars were on “Asthma Medications and Devices” and “Domiciliary Oxygen – prescribing criteria”. Our next session will be held on 16th March on the topic of “Paediatric Cough – is it asthma?”, which will be presented by Paediatric Respiratory Specialist, Dr Stephen Oo (Perth Children’s Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital).
These webinars are made possible thanks to the invaluable and continued support of Astrazeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis. See recordings of our previous webinars as part of our Health Professional education series by clicking on the button below.
Leave a legacy
By leaving a gift in your Will to Asthma WA, you will be helping generations to come by helping us to continue providing free education and support to Western Australians with respiratory illnesses.
A bequest could help fund vital projects including:
Our Paediatric Respiratory Hub which provides the life-changing assessment, diagnosis and tailored education for young children with asthma and other respiratory conditions
The expansion of Asthma WA’s free education and support programs
The sustainability of our free services for all Western Australians in person or remotely
Investment in relevant technology to reach people across the state of Western Australia
If you would like to talk in person and in confidence about Wills in general, please get in touch with our Bequest Team by calling (08) 9289 3600 or emailing bequest@asthmawa.org.au
For more information about leaving a gift in your Will or to speak to our probono legal partner, Lavan, visit our website.
Home-made wills: recipe for disaster
Although a popular option due to their low cost, there are common problems with home-made Wills that may render them invalid. Although those errors may not always be fatal. A simple error such as the Will not being witnessed correctly or even a Will being written in different coloured pens, can mean that the Will won’t be considered by the Court, or may not leave assets as you wanted to. So, appointing a professional to draft your estate documents is important to protect the wishes of the person making the Will.
If you would like to talk in person and in confidence about Wills in general, our probono legal partner, Lavan can assist.
Saturday 19 March – World Sleep Day
Sunday 20 March – World Oral Health Day
Monday 21 March – World Harmony Day
Saturday 27 March @ 8.30pm – Earth Hour
Thursday 7 April – World Health Day
Friday 15 April – Good Friday Public Holiday
Sunday 17 April – Easter Sunday
Monday 18 April – Easter Monday Public Holiday
Monday 25 April – ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 3 May – World Asthma Day
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