Patient Resources
Helpful information for your family's health journey
Supporting Your Family's Health at Every Stage
Good health is built on knowledge, preparation, and consistent habits. This resource centre provides practical information to help your family make informed health decisions, prepare for appointments, and maintain wellness between visits.
Preventative Care Tips by Age Group
Children (0-12 years)
Essential Health Habits:
- Establish regular sleep schedules appropriate for age (newborns 14-17 hours, school-age 9-11 hours)
- Encourage varied, nutritious meals with limited processed foods and sugary drinks
- Prioritize active play and limit screen time according to age-appropriate guidelines
- Practice good hygiene habits: handwashing, tooth brushing, regular baths
Preventive Care Schedule:
- Regular check-ups every 6-12 months depending on age
- Dental visits every 6 months starting when first teeth appear
- Keep vaccinations current according to Australian immunization schedule
- Annual vision and hearing screenings
Teens (13-18 years)
Building Healthy Independence:
- Support development of personal health routines and decision-making skills
- Maintain open communication about physical and emotional changes
- Encourage regular physical activity and involvement in sports or activities they enjoy
- Address mental health awareness and coping strategies for academic and social stress
Key Health Areas:
- Annual check-ups with increasing privacy and autonomy
- Continued dental care and oral hygiene education
- Mental health support and stress management resources
- Education about healthy relationships and personal safety
Adults (19-64 years)
Maintaining Long-term Health:
- Regular exercise routine combining cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility activities
- Balanced nutrition adapted to changing metabolism and lifestyle demands
- Stress management through work-life balance and healthy coping strategies
- Adequate sleep (7-9 hours) and good sleep hygiene practices
Screening and Prevention:
- Annual health assessments including cardiovascular risk factors
- Age-appropriate cancer screenings (breast, cervical, colorectal, skin)
- Regular dental check-ups and preventive treatments
- Mental health check-ins and stress level assessments
Seniors (65+ years)
Healthy Aging Strategies:
- Maintain physical activity appropriate for mobility and health status
- Focus on nutrition that supports bone health, immune function, and energy
- Stay socially connected through community involvement and family relationships
- Prioritize fall prevention through home safety and balance exercises
Comprehensive Care Focus:
- Regular comprehensive health assessments including cognitive screening
- Medication reviews to prevent interactions and optimize effectiveness
- Vision and hearing assessments to maintain independence
- Coordination between multiple specialists when needed
Preparing for Your Visit
What to Bring:
- Medicare card and any private health insurance cards
- List of current medications including dosages
- Recent test results or medical records from other providers
- Family medical history information
- List of allergies or adverse reactions to medications
What to Expect:
- Comprehensive health history discussion
- Physical examination appropriate for your age and concerns
- Discussion of health goals and prevention strategies
- Introduction to our integrated care approach
Before Your Appointment:
- Note any changes in symptoms or health concerns since last visit
- Prepare questions about your health, medications, or treatment plans
- Consider bringing a family member if you prefer support or help remembering information
- Update any changes in contact information or insurance coverage
Making the Most of Your Time:
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early for check-in
- Bring a list of priority concerns if you have multiple issues
- Ask questions if something isn't clear
- Take notes or ask for written instructions for important information
Coordinated Care Benefits:
- Your specialist visit information is automatically shared with your primary care team
- Referrals are streamlined within our integrated system
- Follow-up care is coordinated across all your providers
- Appointment scheduling can often be coordinated for convenience
What to Discuss:
- How specialist treatment fits with your overall health goals
- Expected timeline for improvement or follow-up
- Any lifestyle modifications that support specialist care
- Questions about coordination with your other providers
Insurance and Payment Information
We accept Medicare and most private health insurance plans. Our administrative team can help you understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket expenses before treatment begins.
Payment Options:
- Medicare bulk billing available for eligible services
- Private health insurance claiming on-site for major services
- Flexible payment plans available for larger treatment costs
- Transparent pricing provided before treatment begins
Cost Considerations:
Integrated care often reduces overall healthcare costs by preventing duplicate testing, reducing unnecessary specialist visits, and emphasizing prevention. We'll work with you to find cost-effective approaches to your family's healthcare needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
In integrated care, all your healthcare providers work as one coordinated team, sharing information and treatment plans. This means your medical doctor, dentist, and allied health professionals understand your complete health picture and can provide more effective, coordinated treatment than separate providers working independently.
Absolutely. When specialized care outside our practice is needed, we provide referrals and coordinate with external specialists to ensure continuity of care. We'll share relevant information with outside providers and integrate their recommendations into your ongoing care plan.
We provide after-hours phone support for urgent concerns and have arrangements with local emergency services when immediate care is needed. Our integrated system allows us to quickly access your health information to provide appropriate guidance or coordinate emergency care.
We provide care for all ages, from newborns to seniors. Our providers are trained in age-appropriate care, and our integrated approach is particularly beneficial for families with children, as we can coordinate care across family members and provide comprehensive family health management.
We maintain strict privacy protections while allowing appropriate information sharing between your care team members. You have control over what information is shared and with whom. All team members follow professional confidentiality standards, and our electronic systems have robust security protections.
Your first visit includes a comprehensive health assessment, discussion of your health history and goals, and an introduction to our integrated care approach. We'll explain how our team can work together to support your health and answer any questions about our services and philosophy.
Additional Support
If you have questions not covered in these resources, please don't hesitate to contact our team at contact@carebridge.com or speak with any team member during your visit. We're here to support your family's health journey.