Now retired, Minh had devoted her career to educating and supporting her community.
Unfortunately, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease for Minh’s husband meant plans had to be redrawn and for Minh, this meant taking on a new role as his full-time carer.
Like many carers, Minh put her husband’s care first, educating herself on his condition, attending appointments and ensuring no step in best treatment was missed. But again, like many carers, she placed her own health last.
“Coming into the initiative, I had health concerns like high blood pressure, cholesterol and arthritis” Minh shared. “But through My Health for Life, I learned how to take care of myself. It is very important. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of others.”
Minh was introduced to My Health for Life through her involvement in a local Vietnamese community group. The initiative helped her understand that small, sustainable changes in diet, exercise, and self-care could have a big impact on her well-being.
“I used to think being healthy was only about food,” Minh explained. “But I learned it’s about movement, balance, and taking time for myself.”
With the guidance of a bilingual Health Coach, Minh adjusted her eating habits, choosing healthier ingredients and paying attention to portion sizes. She also discovered new ways to stay active, incorporating simple exercises and group activities like yoga and dancing into her routine. The My health for life workbook was made available to the group in Vietnamese, so following the initiative became very straight forward.
“Before, I didn’t think I had time for exercise. But I learned that even short activities make a difference. Now, I take small walks and prioritise time in the day to do light movements.”
As a full-time carer, Minh faced the constant challenge of balancing her husband’s needs with her own well-being. The initiative helped her understand that making time for herself wasn’t selfish, it was necessary. Taking time for herself, Minh saw her mood improve and this in turn, had a positive impact on her caregiving.
“I must have my own time, even if it’s just for a little while,” Minh said. “Now, I set aside at least one hour for myself each day to read, do research, or attend meetings. It helps me manage stress and care for my husband better.” Minh now takes the time to enjoy knitting, crocheting and loves a word search!
One of the biggest lessons Minh took away from the initiative was the power of community. Surrounded by others facing similar challenges, she felt supported and empowered to share what she had learned.
“I tell others, ‘Come, come, come! If you don’t have transport, I will pick you up.’ I want to help others, just as I was helped.” Following the initiative, Minh feels like she has more energy and friends have mentioned how well she now looks.
For Minh, My health for life wasn’t just about personal change, it was about lifting up her community. She continues to share her knowledge, encouraging other carers to prioritise their health so they can continue to care for their loved ones for years to come.
If you’re a carer looking to focus on your own well-being, My health for life can help. Start with our free online Health Check to see if the initiative is right for you.
