The free South of the River Forum ‘Arthritis – Seniors and Laughter’, hosted by the City in conjunction with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) (WA), is to be held from 10.30am on Monday, 8 February 2010 in the second floor Conference Room at the City’s Civic Centre. Plus, six-week course ‘Challenge Your Arthritis’ – to be run by Arthritis Western Australia and proudly supported by the City – will be held from 18 February to 25 March 2010 at Canning Bridge Senior Citizens Centre in Mount Pleasant.

Community Development Officer (Seniors) Roberta Gripton said the South of the River Forum would include information on: the types of arthritis – rheumatoid, osteoarthritis and gout; ways to self-manage the disease; and the services provided by Arthritis WA. “Many seniors suffer with aches and pains in their joints, backs and necks. Arthritis WA has strategies to help manage this pain, which can lead to a more positive and fulfilling future. The event will include a talk by Arthritis WA volunteer speaker Doug Lawson and a laughter session with Conference Speaker, Wellbeing Educator, and ‘Laughter Ambassador’ Janni Goss – as laughter is of course the best medicine,” she said.

“Following the forum, the six-week ‘Challenge Your Arthritis’ course will cover pain management, diet, coping with fatigue, protecting joints, mobility, relaxation and more. The course is designed to help people cope with the pain and day-to-day problems caused by arthritis and fibromyalgia. It is to be delivered by specially-trained people with arthritis who understand the associated difficulties,” she said.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the City of Melville was committed to developing programs and services for seniors within the City. “Apart from regular forums, these initiatives include: the facilitation of a regular network of aged care service providers in the City; and specific programs at our Recreation Centres, Libraries and Community Centres that target seniors. We are looking forward to the State Government’s determination of ‘age-friendly’ indicators that can guide a response to our ageing population, as well as guiding the development of our own Positive Ageing Strategy,“ he said.

All are welcome to attend the forum ‘Arthritis – Seniors and Laughter’. Interested people should RSVP to phone 1300 635 845 by Thursday, 4 February 2010.

The ‘Challenge Your Arthritis’ course will run from 10.00am to 12.30pm on Thursdays from 18 February to 25 March, with the cost for the complete course being $30.00. There is Canning Bridge Senior Citizens Centre access and free parking via The Esplanade or 64 Kishorn Road, Mount Pleasant. Bookings are essential as places are limited; phone 9388 2199.