HCF's Health Agenda - Family Hub

How HCF family cover has supported Jocelyn and her twin boys

Jocelyn and her family have relied on lifesaving medical procedures for the past two decades. And HCF has been with them every step of the way.

When should you get life insurance?

Major life changes like buying a house or retiring are important times to review your life insurance to make sure you and your family are protected if the unexpected happens.

Ways to save with your pet insurance

Keeping our furry friends healthy can come with some hefty and unexpected costs. Here’s how pet insurance can help with vet bills.

How to talk to kids about gender identity

Navigating the complexities of gender identity can be challenging for families. So how can we support our kids to be confident in their own skin?

Domestic violence support: how to get help

Domestic and family violence is at crisis point in Australia. Whether it’s impacting you or someone you know, help is available. Here’s where to find support.

Life Insurance explained: what you need to know

Life insurance provides help after an accident or during serious illness. Here’s how it works.

Pet insurance: What are you covered for?

Worrying about expensive vet bills when your pet is unwell is stressful and can impact decisions you make about their care. Here’s how pet insurance can help.

THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL HEALTH CHECKS TO BOOK NOW

Along with new drink bottles and uniforms, here are the health checks that are important for kids in the new school year.

15 FAMILY BONDING ACTIVITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS

Bonding with your kids not only feels good – it’s essential to help them feel secure and well adjusted as they grow. Here’s how to strengthen your relationship.

HOW TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT PEER PRESSURE

Peer pressure is a normal part of growing up. But what is peer pressure exactly, and how can we help our children navigate through it?

7 SMART MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR FINANCIAL WELLNESS

Across Australia, many families are focused on saving money. Here, we look at how to save money and boost financial wellness – now and into the future.

5 helpful pieces of parenting advice if you have a tween

There's no rule book when it comes to raising tweens, but parents like Dylan Lewis, Pia Miranda and Robbie Buck from our Growing Great Tweens podcast, have some great advice to share.

HOW TO SUPPORT A CHILD WITH ADHD (AND LOOK AFTER YOURSELF TOO)

It’s estimated that ADHD impacts 5% of Australian children. Understanding ADHD – and the treatment of ADHD – is essential to support your child.

Signs your child could need speech therapy

From baby babble to pre-school chatter, language skills are crucial for children to communicate. Here’s what to do if your child isn’t meeting speech milestones.

Teens and tech: How to set healthy screen-time boundaries as a family

Many teens rely on phones and tablets for staying in touch and making friends, so how can parents help their kids set sensible boundaries around screens?

How your smartphone can help you manage your family’s health

Many Australians are trying to keep on top of not only their own health, but also their whole family’s. Here’s how digital technology can help lighten the load of family health management.

Raising boys: respect and equality

Raising boys to break free of outdated gender stereotypes about what it means to be a man benefits everyone – in childhood and throughout life. Here’s why equality starts at home.

JESSICA ROWE: WHY THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS THE PERFECT PARENT

When I was pregnant and in the early days of having my first baby, I used to think there would be a point when I would nail the whole parenting thing.

Nutrition for kids: getting a healthy start

Nutrition is vital at every stage of kids' development and parents play a key role in encouraging healthy eating habits from a young age. Here’s how.

Cyber safety for kids: tweens and tech

The online world is a big part of our teens’ and tweens’ lives. Here’s how to set boundaries and have the conversation about respectful, positive and productive habits and behaviour online.

Carer support for the ‘sandwich generation’

When you’re taking care of elderly parents and children or grandchildren at the same time, remember to add yourself to the list.

STUDY STRESS: HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR KIDS WITH EXAMS

The number of teenagers experiencing study stress is on the rise. Here are some tips to help you support your child’s mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

Can we prevent cyberbullying?

How do we stop our children from being cyberbullied without taking away access to the internet? Here are some suggestions for creating a safe space for your child online.

Kids and food allergies: How to stop bullying

For some children, food allergies are more than a physical reaction – they’re fodder for bullies. Here, we explore the problem and ways to make life better for these kids.

How should we care for our parents as they age?

Supporting your elderly parents once they reach a certain stage of life can be a big adjustment. This advice will help you navigate the changes together.

HOW TO SUPPORT TEENAGERS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

From learning about ‘social distancing’ to wondering what the future holds, the younger members of your family probably have as many questions about COVID-19 as you do. Here are some ways to help them feel heard and supported.

The health benefits of spending time outdoors when you travel

Keeping up with regular exercise, even when you’re on holiday, has great benefits for your physical and mental health. These outdoor adventures appeal to adults and kids alike.

How much sleep do teenagers really need?

Is your teenager sleeping in most days struggling to get out of bed, or perhaps they're staying up late unable to get to sleep? We explore how much sleep teenagers need and good sleep habits.

WHAT IS CONSENT? TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS

Have you talked to your teen about sex and consent? Here’s why it’s so important to have the sex and relationships chat and what teens want parents to know (and what they want you to say).

Writing a will: Do you need a lawyer?

You might not want to think about writing a will, but this important legal document is designed to bring peace of mind to both you and your loved ones.

Baby won’t sleep? Harness the power of Tresillian and Sleepfit with this app

The SleepWellBaby app settles little ones with the latest science and more than 100 years of Tresillian expertise.

Talking to your teenager: 5 tips to engage with your child

Rebecca Sparrow made it her life’s mission to help teenagers survive high school and all that their tumultuous teen years throw at them. Here; Rebecca offers her tips for better teen talks if you’re a parent.

Family meals: eating together

Did you know eating together as a family can have physical and mental health benefits? And it’s not just about what you’re eating.

How to reduce stress in retirement

Living your best senior years involves planning for a healthy financial, housing and social future.

How carers look after themselves

Advice from 2 carers on looking after themselves and the ones they love.

Parenting kids with behavioural issues

Raising a child with behavioural problems can be rewarding but tough. We ask psychologists for strategies to help you handle the challenges.

Care plans and wills: planning for the future

How to plan ahead for your death, or if you become seriously ill.

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILDREN THROUGH CHANGE

As your children grow, their support needs change. We ask psychologist Giuliett Moran for her advice on helping your kids as they move through different life stages.

Who cares for carers?

Caring for a loved one can be a financial, physical and emotional strain. It’s important to know what help is available.

How to care for your teen’s mental health

Recognising emotional issues early is the best way to protect your teenager against depression and anxiety.

Plating up for picky eaters: Part 2

Practical tips for helping kids learn to love new flavours.

Plating up for picky eaters: Part 1

Why some kids are fussy eaters and what mistakes to avoid.

Healthy kids: Keeping 0-5-year-olds active

Small children, even babies, need to be active in order to develop. Here are some helpful guidelines for developing healthy habits early in life.

Essential sun protection for children

Safeguard children from sun damage by starting early and teaching good habits for life.

BULLET-PROOFING KIDS AGAINST BULLIES

Is your child being bullied? Here are some tactics for dealing with this stressful issue.

Ten tips for working parents

It’s a juggling act. Arm yourself with smart strategies to help you balance work and family life.

8 ways to keep your kids active

Tearing the children away from their screens is easier than you think.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This communication contains information which is copyright to The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF). It should not be copied, disclosed or distributed without the authority of HCF. Except as required by law, HCF does not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that this communication is free from errors, virus, interception or interference. All reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of material contained on this website. It’s not intended that this website be comprehensive or render advice. HCF members should rely on authoritative advice they seek from qualified practitioners in the health and medical fields as the information provided on this website is general information only and may not be suitable to individual circumstances or health needs. Please check with your health professional before making any dietary, medical or other health decisions as a result of reading this website.

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