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Fall 2014 | Issue 15be healthy | be well | be informed
applemag.ca
Now in partnership with:
OUR GUIDE TO WALKINGFrom why to how to where page 41
IMMUNIZATION: OUR COMMUNITY ARMOURAs infectious diseases dwindle, the need for protection remains page 48
KEEPING WATER HEALTHYChanging how we use, manage and protect a valuable resource page 36
4 Apple Fall 2014
If you or someone you know is
experiencing problems with alcohol,
tobacco, other drugs or gambling,
we can help.
Contact your local AHS Addiction and
Mental Health office or call the 24-hour,
toll-free addiction helpline.
1-866-332-2322
Change is possible.
albertahealthservices.ca
applemag.ca 5
Subscribeto Appletoday!
4 FREE issuesa year
Email us at apple.mag@
albertahealthservices.ca
or call 403-943-1993
6 Apple Fall 2014
Table of contents
Departments
9 AHS MESSAGE
Helping people be healthy for life
10 YOUR COMMENTS
BITES
11 Curbing caffeine consumption
PASS the extinguisher
12 Translated health resources
Battery check
Light up now for Christmas
FIRST THINGS
13 Healthy harvestStay safe on the farm this fall
16 Catch a break A new program aims to reduce fractures and identify osteoporosis risk
18 BUILDING BRAINS
Why teens change It’s the brain more than the hormones
20 GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Move your bodyModerate physical activity can help you stay healthy during pregnancy
22 THE EARLY YEARS
Your source for learning about children’s ages and stages Parents can find insight at community health centres
24 YOUTHFUL
From kindergarten to secondary Helping your child from one grade to the next
COVER STORY:
Jennifer and Tristan Norman and their dogs Candy
(right) and Mason were photographed for Apple by
Ewan Nicholson at Bowmont Park in Calgary.
18 20
28KEEP IN MIND
The nature of mental healthForests and fresh air can restore mind, body and spirit
BY GREG HARRIS
applemag.ca 7
be healthy | be well | be informedapplemag.ca
PUBLISHED BY Alberta Health Services
CEOVickie Kaminski
VP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Colleen Turner
EDITOR & PUBLISHER Terry Bullick
ASSOCIATE EDITOR & DISTRIBUTIONAmy Sawchenko
EDITORIAL INTERNS Melissa Huizenga, Landon Wesley
FEATURES EDITOR Wanda Vivequin
ADVERTISING Denice Hansen
DESIGNER Jimi Scherer
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Sherry Mumford
WEBSITE SUPPORTCharity Sokolan, Marnie Bartell, GTxcel
EDITORIAL DIRECTION & REVIEW Marlis Atkins, Farah Bandali, Leslie Barker, Cheryl Bourassa, Connie Bolding, Dr. Laura Calhoun, Phil Carlton, Karen Cooke,
Cindy Connell, Sue Cumming, Maureen Devolin, Rosmin Esmail, Marissa Etmanski, Shannon Evans, Karen Gilchrist, Tara Grindle, Laura Herperger, Diane Jaeger, Terry Johnson, Sarah Jordan, Graham Matsalla, Judy Meintzer, Sandra
Montoya-Logan, Dr. Richard Musto, Jo-Ann Nelson, Petra O’Connell, Lara Osterriecher, Joy Pavelich, Dr. Gerry Predy, Cathy Pryce, Shelley Rattray, Kerri Robins, Janine Sakatch,
Monica Schwann, Dwayne Sheehan, Karolina Sekulic, Dr. Katherine Todd, Kathleen Thurber, Katherine Younker
CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Allford, Colleen Biondi, Connie Bryson, Jeff Collins,
Caitlin Crawshaw, Shallon Cunningham, Ted Dalton, Mike Fisher, Anne Georg, Michael Grills, Dawna Freeman,
Greg Harris, Janet Harvey, Michael Interisano, Andrew Kiss, Dale MacMillan, Ewan Nicholson, Jennifer & Tristan Norman,
Kim Smith, Jessica Surgenor, Dan Thiessen, Julie Van Rosendaal, Laina Wong
INqUIRIES & SUBSCRIPTIONS10101 Southport Road SW, Calgary, Alberta T2W 3N2
Phone: 403-943-2892
The information contained in this magazine is not intended to be a substitute for professional/medical advice.
Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or
changing or stopping current treatment.
Statements, opinions and viewpoints expressed by the writers of this publication do not necessarily represent the
views of Alberta Health Services. Furthermore, AHS does not endorse any of the third-party advertisers.
Copyright 2014 by Alberta Health Services. No part of this publication may be reproduced without
express written consent from AHS.
Canada Post Publication Agreement Number: 42468524
ISSN 1927-0305
facebook.com/applemagca
26 50+
Can you hear me now?Hearing loss is common but often untreated in older adults
29 THE MEAL DEAL
A classic chicken salad sandwich goes international The perfect fit for school and work lunches
32 BODY TALK
Making a list, checking it twice A handy and helpful tool to track your medications
56 PRAISING PASSION
Debbie Piper dreams big for kids This executive director helps define community spirit in Brooks
58 MY HEALTH OUTLOOK
Dr. Paul Jordaan Same profession—half a world away
36 Keeping water healthy Essential to health and to life, water is increasingly facing pressure in Alberta
BY CONNIE BRYSON
41 The Apple guide to walkingBetter health is just a few steps away. When you walk, you’re improving both mind and body
BY ANNE GEORG
48Immunization: our community armourThe memories of many infectious diseases may be fading but the need for immunization remains as strong as ever
BY MIKE FISHER & TERRY
BULLICK
56 58
8 Apple Fall 2014
5
3
Contributors
We asked our contributors to share what nature means to them.
1 MeLiSSA HuizengA, inTern
Melissa loves being outside year-round in Alberta.
In the summer she enjoys hiking, and loves the
beautiful views of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
She recently learned to snowboard, so heading to
the mountains for a day on the slopes is her go-to
activity in the winter. Alberta is beautiful!
2 LAnDon WeSLeY, inTern
Alberta is full of great outdoor basketball
courts and baseball diamonds, and Landon
enjoys spending his time outside playing on
them whenever he can. He also likes to leave
technology behind and get out of the city to camp
and enjoy nature with friends.
3 JenniFer & TriSTAn norMAn,
Cover SuBJeCTS
Jennifer and Tristan make an effort to live a
healthy lifestyle through exercise and diet. With
a baby on the way, they really understand the
importance of creating an active and healthy
environment. They love having dogs because they
give them plenty of reasons to spend time outside.
4 AnDreW KiSS, PAinTer
As one of Canada’s most recognized nature
artists, Andrew shows the stunning beauty of
what surrounds us with every brush stroke. His
landscapes evoke a memory of a hike, family
camping trip or a special place visited and he
hopes each painting is a window to our precious
world and a reminder never to take it for granted.
5 Anne georg, WriTer
A walk in nature soothes and invigorates writer
Anne—the sounds, sights and smells invite her
to experience the world in a very different way
from her urban existence. A walk in nature is a
prolonged meditation that empties the mind of
extraneous chatter and brings peace and well-
being to body and spirit.
6 MiCHAeL griLLS, iLLuSTrATor
Michael draws upon nature for inspiration. When it
gets hard to keep creating, he finds that camping,
or spending time in a park or his yard, helps
refuel the creative fire required for making art. He
especially loves spending time outside with family
and friends.
6
1
2 4
applemag.ca 9
AHS message
SponsorsFor more information on where to find Apple magazine, or to have it delivered to your door, visit applemag.ca.
Apple magazine is pleased to acknowledge its partners:
Founding Partner
This past May, I became an Albertan and the CEO and president of Alberta Health Services. Since then I’ve been travelling across the province listening, learning and seeing what Alberta Health Services does. I’ve also been talking to people about how we can improve—and how we can celebrate what we do well. I’ve been lucky enough to meet many Albertans and discover what health care means to them.
Without a doubt, we’re all going to need health-care providers and services at some point in our lives. And we want to know that our health-care system will be there when we need it. Caring for people is at the core of what we do. At AHS, we are as passionate and dedicated to helping people lead healthy lives as we are to helping care for them when they’re ill or injured.
We have a growing focus on helping people be healthy for life. This issue of Apple features information and simple tips on how you can do that. In our story Immunization: Our Community Armour (page 36), we look at one of the greatest health advances in history and its effectiveness. Vaccinations are one of the single
Helping people be healthy for life
most important things you can do to protect your family’s health. In Keeping Our Water Healthy (page 46), we look at why and how water use needs to change in our province.
As a new Albertan, I’m captivated by Alberta’s natural beauty and really enjoy exploring it. As our Keep in Mind column The Nature of Mental Health (page 28) notes: nature is a prescription for health. Simply connecting with nature is good for you, says Don Carruthers Den Hoed of Alberta Parks. As further inspiration to get you into nature, our Apple Guide to Walking (page 41) is a primer on the benefits of regular walking, outdoors and in. We’ve even thrown in 10 scenic places you can walk in the province.
I hope you enjoy the issue and I wish you good health.
— Vickie Kaminski
Vickie Kaminski is president and CEO of Alberta Health Services.
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10 Apple Fall 2014
Back pain. It’s one of the leading reasons we see a health-care provider and take prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Back pain currently affects 85 per cent of us and it often stems from how we live.
Who better to talk about your back than the spine care experts, Alberta’s chiropractors.
“Many health issues, like back pain, are directly related to lifestyle choices and understanding,” says Dr. Brian Gushaty, an Edmonton chiropractor and registrar of the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors.
Society in general has become much more sedentary. We’re sitting more—at desks, in vehicles, on couches—and exercising less. We are also increasingly reliant on technological devices (like smart phones, tablets and handheld games), resulting in poor posture from hunching over our devices for hours on end. Combine these
Back pain often stems from how we liveLifestyle changes can make a big difference
factors and you have the perfect recipe for back pain.
So, does this mean back pain is inevitable? Absolutely not. Many spine problems are the product of improper posture resulting from poor body mechanics. A few simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
The goal is a balanced lifestyle. Take regular breaks from tech devices, stand up and stretch after every hour of sitting, and make exercise a regular part of your routine.
“You want to neutralize the stress,” Gushaty says. “Strenuous physical activity for the upper body, such as racquet sports, can provide a good counterbalance for the strain caused by poor posture.”
Strong posture keeps your bones and joints aligned, letting you use your muscles more efficiently. It also decreases stress on joints and increases the spine’s flexibility—significant factors in reducing the
risk of back pain. And it doesn’t end at back pain.
Other long-term effects of poor posture can include repetitive stress injuries (text neck, Blackberry thumb), chronic headaches, shoulder pain, rounded shoulders and hunched backs.
In addition to increasing physical activity and developing stronger posture, you can further reduce the risk of back pain by investing in an ergonomic chair for your office, a supportive mattress and pillow for your bedroom, eating a healthy diet and having regular spinal checkups with your chiropractor.
Preventing back pain, Gushaty says, is really a matter of getting back to the basics.
— Colleen Biondi
Sponsored by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors.
– SPONSORED CONTENT –
applemag.ca 11
Bites
Curbing caffeine consumption
Caffeine is a quick fix that can help with mental alertness and cause a surge of energy—within limits.
Health Canada recommends a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine (approximately 750 ml or 24 ounces of coffee) a day for adults. For women who are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, the recommended daily limit is 300 mg.
“The best ways to improve your energy levels on a long-term basis are getting enough sleep, daily physical activity and eating regular meals,” says Charity Alcocer, registered dietitian with Alberta Health Services’ Nutrition Services.
Following these can help you increase your energy level naturally and curb your caffeine consumption.
PASS the extinguisher
A fire extinguisher can help keep your home safe—when you know how to use it. If you have a fire, remember to PASS your extinguisher:P – pull the pin from the handleA – aim the nozzle at the base of
the fireS – squeeze the leverS – sweep from side to side.
Gerald Graham, provincial director of Alberta Health Services Fire and Life Safety, says if your extinguisher is more than 12 years old, it’s time to replace it.
red rose tea8 oz (250 mL)
50 mg
Tim Hortons small coffee
(286 mL)
140 mg
Monster energy1 can
(473 mL)
166 mg
Starbucks venti brewed coffee
(591 mL)
410 mg
P
A
S
S
AIP
Safe
ty
12 Apple Fall 2014
Translated health resources
Alberta is a province of diversity and multiculturalism. Recognizing this, Alberta Health Services offers a wide array of health information in a number of languages.
For example, Road to Healthy Living is a series of articles on health and health services topics that appear in 16 ethnic newsletters and on seven radio stations in Alberta each month. The series is available in Arabic, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Spanish and Vietnamese. As well, AHS’s Navigating Health Care videos are in nine languages.
AHS also has around-the-clock interpretation services by phone. More than 200 languages can be interpreted to help health-care users talk to health-care providers about their treatment and care.
To reach the service, call 1-866-874-3972.
For more information, visit albertahealthservices.ca and search for interpretation and translation services.
Battery check
As part of your “fall back” routine on Nov. 2, you can test your smoke detectors and change the batteries. Fire and safety experts recommend doing these tasks every fall when you turn the clock back to mark the end of daylight savings times for the year. They are important for your home, as well as for your and your family’s safety.
Light up now for Christmas Fall . . . the leaves start falling and winter is around the corner. Why not get ahead of the snow and ice and put your holiday lights up now? Working on a dry surface can help prevent slips and falls. And working outside on a sunny afternoon is usually more enjoyable than a blustery night.Other installation tips include:
• Checkforrecallsanddiscardbroken lights before installing
• Usetherightladderlength—have three rungs above the surface you are working on
• Neverstretchbeyondtheladder. Keep both feet and one hand on the rungs as you climb up.
— Stories by Melissa Huizenga
applemag.ca 13
First things
The fall is a time of bounty, when thousands of Albertans take to the fields to harvest many crops, from sugar beets in the south to malting barley in the north. This year alone Alberta farmers are expected to grow 7.6 million tonnes of wheat—enough to make over 15 billion loaves of bread.
Harvesting crops is a race against nature that requires time, focus and energy. Agricultural and health experts offer these tips to get farmers to the finish line—with their health and safety intact.
Healthy harvestsStaying safe on the farm this fall
1. reduce stress Farming is a stressful job, especially at harvest time. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) says farmers can have heavy workloads, financial pressure and business crises—such as drought or bad weather. Such stress can be relieved in many ways, including taking regular breaks, getting out of the combine or truck for a walk or a little exercise, and spending time with family and friends.
2. understand the equipment Knowing how to properly use farm equipment can greatly reduce the risk injury. This includes checking all machinery before use, maintaining it and having all guards in place on moving parts. Laurel Aitken, farm safety coordinator for ARD, says: “Reviewing operating procedures, the day’s tasks and safety precautions can save a lot of grief later.”
3. Know the signs of fatigue Fatigue is a common harvest risk. Aitken says one of farmers’ biggest
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14 Apple Fall 2014
challenges is getting enough sleep as they work almost around the clock to get crops off. In addition to feeling tired, common symptoms of fatigue include slow reflexes and reactions, headaches, dizziness, feeling moody and aching muscles. Counteract fatigue by taking short breaks and getting off of machinery, taking a catnap and changing jobs throughout the day.
4. eat healthyIt can be a challenge for anyone to eat healthy foods when pressed for time, but doing so can help keep your mind focused and body energized. Take time out of your day to make and enjoy healthy meals and snacks, preferably with others. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Charity Alcocer, registered dietitian with Alberta Health Services’ Nutrition Services, recommends planning ahead and packing quick snacks in case you can’t stop for regular meals. “Pack fresh fruit or vegetables, peanut butter sandwiches on whole grain bread, whole grain crackers, or unsalted nuts with dried fruit.”
For everyday people out and about on rural roads:
Drive safe around farm equipment When driving on rural roads or on the highway during harvest season, you may come across wide loads and equipment moving slowly. Slow down, keep lots of space between your vehicle and the farming equipment, and pass safely when you can.
— Landon Wesley
For more information on farming and safety tips, visit Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development at agriculture.alberta.ca.
applemag.ca 15
16 Apple Fall 2014
Catch a breakA new program aims to reduce the number of fractures in the province and identify people at risk for osteoporosis Ph
oto:
Ing
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Osteoporosis is often called the “silent thief” because the bone loss that characterizes the disease occurs without symptoms. But a new Alberta Health Services program aims to set off the alarm about this stealthy condition.
The AHS Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network in
partnership with the Alberta Bone and Joint Institute recently launched the Catch a Break program to identify people at risk for osteoporosis. The program uses information from emergency departments and cast clinics to pinpoint people between the ages of 50 and 80 who may have suffered a fragility fracture of the
80-90% Hip fractures signal
osteoporosis
10- 15 %Hip fractures treated
for osteoprosis
First things
wrist, upper arm, spine, pelvis or hip. A fragility fracture is a break resulting from low trauma (such as a simple fall from a standing height) that wouldn’t usually cause a fracture. It is the most important indicator of future fracture risk.
Staff from Health Link Alberta then contact those people and ask
applemag.ca 17
Catch a Break is a prime example of how AHS puts
research evidence into practice
a series of questions to identify whether it was possibly a fragility fracture. If so, they provide patients with information about osteoporosis and advise them to speak to their own doctors about further investigation. Staff also send a letter to the family physician of every person identified, indicating that patient’s risk factor for osteoporosis. Health Link Alberta staff follow up with the at-risk patients at three, six and 12 months reinforcing tips on preventing osteoporosis and to gather further research on their treatments and outcomes.
Dr. David Hanley, a researcher, physician and osteoporosis expert attheUniversityofCalgary,isoneof the architects of Catch a Break. He points out the huge care gap in treating osteoporosis in this province—something he hopes the program will help address. For example, although 80 to 90 per cent of hip fractures are a sign that osteoporosis is present, statistics show that only 10 to 15 per cent of Albertans with hip fractures receive treatment for osteoporosis. And almost half of those people have suffered previous fragility fractures.
“The big pitch I was making is that if only 10 per cent of people with hip fractures are getting treated
then we’re not getting anywhere,” says Hanley, who is also a member of the Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (AIHS) Osteoarthritis Team. “We hope Catch a Break will raise awareness that people who suffer these fractures are at high risk for more fractures, and that with appropriate investigation and treatment many of these fractures can be prevented.”
Hanley says family physicians often don’t realize their patients have suffered fractures. In many cases, patients go to emergency departments and then cast clinics for treatment but might never mention the incidents to their own doctors at their next visit. Which is why a key component of Catch a Break is informing family physicians about their patients’ risk for osteoporosis. “This was designed partly as an
education program for physicians,” Hanley emphasizes. He adds that this element, along with the followup calls), really set Catch a Break apart from other such “identification” programs.
Catch a Break is a prime example of how AHS puts research evidence into practice to benefit Albertans. And in this case, the research behind the program happened right here. Hanley points to two clinical trials conducted in Alberta, led by Alberta researchers Dr. Sumit Majumdar (an AIHS-supported investigator) and Dr. Don Morrish, that very clearly showed the benefits of investigation and treatment following wrist and hip fractures. Catch a Break draws on the evidence from this research.
Catch a Break was launched June 9 in the Edmonton area and will be launched across the province in the coming months. Initial patient feedback on the program has been very positive.
— Janet Harvey
For more information on the program and on osteoporosis visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca and search Catch a Break.
18 Apple Summer 2014
Building brains
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One day, roughly 12 to 16 years after your child is born, you may wake up and wonder: Who is this person?
The child you knew is suddenly different. Much different. She can solve complex math problems. Engage in debates, relish in arguments. Deliver sarcasm, deploy metaphors and draw upon irony. She may be profoundly concerned about global warming, social injustice, clean water for developing nations and the latest craze for short-shorts. She is a full-fledged teen.
Hormones have long been thought to be behind many of the emotional changes in teens, but research is finding changes in the brain’s structure and function play even bigger roles. And it’s giving us much more insight into how to help teens become adults.
Some of the most intensive brain development in teens takes place in the front third of the brain: the frontal cortex. This is a big player in everything that makes you a good
person, a good citizen. It’s the boss of the brain and where executive function lives. And it’s one of the last parts of the brain to fully develop.
Just as air traffic control tower makes it possible for many planes to come and go from an airport without crashing, executive function gives us the ability to remember, focus,
plan and respond the right way in different situations. For teens, these include paying attention in class, figuring out how to solve problems (at school and in life), staying focused during an exam and controlling emotions.
Building executive function skills begins in early childhood, takes a big
Why teens changeIt’s the brain more than the hormones
Changes in the brain may explain the trademark changing behaviour of many teenagers.
applemag.ca 19
leap in adolescence and youth and continues well into adulthood.
“Your brain continues to be formed until you are about 30 years old. Women’s brains are done developing around their late 20’s, or at 30. Men’s brains are done developing at least five years later, so we are looking at age 35, maybe even as late as age 40. There is still some debate how long it takes for the male brain to develop,” said Dr. Robbin Gibb, PhD, aneuroscientistattheUniversityofLethbridge, at an Apple Talk in June.
The developing frontal cortex is also credited with risk-taking; teens do not have the ability to judge the severity and consequences of risks. It’s important to help teens understand how to take smart risks, such as wearing a helmet while mountain biking or skateboarding.
Another part of the teen brain also in high gear is the nucleus
accumbens. It’s tiny (about the size of a Skittle) and located about midway between the earlobes. This is the reward centre of the brain and its development is crucial to becoming a fully functioning adult. The developmental task here: regulation.
The teen years are an incredible time of change and the changes can happen with bullet-train speed. This makes it hard on teens themselves as well as their parents, families, teachers and others in their lives.
Sure teens can be cranky and moody. And when they are it’s an opportunity to help them understand their emotions and teach them ways they can regulate them. Role modelling is important but talking and listening to them is essential; it’s serve and return for teens. It’s not always easy—it is always worth learning why your teen is sad, mad or inexplicably indifferent.
You want to give your teen a chance to deal with the obstacles life throws them. They need to tackle their own challenges, such as taking a driver’s test, asking someone to prom or getting a first job.
Some goal-setting and boundaries (such as trying to make the volleyball team and being home by midnight) will also help your teen be prepared for adulthood. And as she becomes a fully developed adult, you’re sure to recognize her again.
— Terry Bullick and Frank MacMaster
Dr. Frank MacMaster, PhD, is the Cuthbertson and Fischer Chair in Paediatric Mental Health at the University of Calgary. He’s based at the Behavioural Research Unit at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
talks
Part of our Passion for Health campaign, these events can help you learn more about your and your family’s well-being from health professionals in your community. All talks are free; refreshments served.
Moms and dads: same love, different approachLearn about the differences in parenting styles and how they’re important to your child’s development.
Healthy living at home Learn how to stay healthy, independent and supported in your home and community as you age.
Thursday, November 27 at 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre, 4620-47 Avenue, Red Deer
Thursday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Strathcona County Parent Link, 3 Spruce Avenue, Sherwood Park
Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Stettler Regional Child Care Centre, 5702-48 Avenue, Stettler Free childcare available
20 Apple Fall 2014
Great expectations
Some say that pregnancy is like running a marathon: it takes a lot of stamina to make it to the finish line.
Physical activity can help make the nine-month journey easier—and you don’t need to actually run a marathon to enjoy the benefits. Research shows moderate exercise during pregnancy can help to ease discomfort, reduce the risk of complications and stress and boost your energy.
“The physical benefits of fitness and exercise are the same as they are for women who aren’t pregnant,” says Dr. Suzanne Tough, who is funded by
Move your bodyModerate physical activity can help you stay healthy during pregnancy
Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (AIHS) and is the scientific director of Alberta Health Services’ Maternal, Newborn, Child and Youth Strategic Clinical Network.
Tough says as long as your pregnancy is low-risk and you’re receiving regular prenatal care, nothing is stopping you from being active during pregnancy. Physical activity is good for both you and your baby.
She does, however, warn women to be careful with demanding exercise (such as marathons or popular cross-
training programs). The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommends avoiding activities that increase the risk of falling such as skiing, cycling or climbing. Pregnant women first need
to discuss exercise and activity with their health-care provider.
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology recommends the following FITT tips for physical activity:
Frequency: begin at three times a week and build up to four times a week.
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Exercising when pregnant can boost energy, reduce complications and ease discomfort and stress.
applemag.ca 21
Intensity: exercise within your target heart rate zone (see sidebar). Whatever the activity, you want to be able to talk comfortably while doing it.
Time: try to exercise for 15 minutes, even if it means reducing the intensity. Rest if you need to.
Type: pick non-weight-bearing or low-impact endurance exercise such as walking, stationary cycling, aquatic exercise and low-impact aerobics. These are great options as they are easy on the joints, which are, because of hormonal changes, more likely to be injured. Other options include yoga, dance and resistance training.
Exercise can also reduce some complications in pregnancy, such as hypertension, gestational diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the case of IBD—which includes several illnesses such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—exercise can help pregnant women stay healthy. In turn, this may help them avoid flare-ups of the disease and blood clots.
“Pregnancy itself has an increased risk of developing blood clots and pregnant women with IBD have a higher risk as well, because of the inflammation going on,” says Dr. Vivian Huang, an AIHS clinician research fellow who studies IBD in pregnant women.
Knowing your limits is important. And if you experience any of the following, stop exercising and contact your health-care provider right away:•Excessiveshortnessofbreath•Chestpain•Painfuluterinecontractions
(more than six to eight in an hour)
Target heart rates
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology’s recommended target heart rates ranges for pregnant women:
Age Fitness Level Heart rate range (beats/minute)
20-29 Low 129-144 Active 135-150 Fit 145-160 Overweight 102-124
30-39 Low 128-144 Active 130-145 Fit 140-156 Overweight 101-120
•Vaginalbleedingorany“gush”of fluid from the vagina
•Dizzinessorfaintness.Other pointers for exercising when
you’re pregnant include: drinking plenty of water, staying cool, avoiding working out in hot, humid weather, wearing loose clothing and wearing a supportive bra.
— Caitlin Crawshaw
For more information, see Exercise During Pregnancy at MyHealth.alberta.ca or the Healthy Parents Healthy Children resources at applemag.ca.
22 Apple Fall 2014
The early years
It’s often said that children don’t come with instructions. But Alberta parents can find all kinds of insight into their children’s health at their local community health centre.
From how to soothe a fussy baby to
Your source for learning about children’s ages and stages Parents can find insight at community health centres
when to have your child immunized,, health-care professionals—public health nurses, dietitians, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists and more—offer families the help they need.
“Alberta families can easily access services from pregnancy to birth and throughout the early years of their child’s life,” says Lee Fredeen-Kohlert, director of Public Health and Children’s Rehabilitation
Parents can get help from pregnancy to birth and throughout the early years of their child’s life at their community health centre.
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CLARESHOLM & DISTRICT HEALTH FOUNDATION8th ANNUAL CONCERT SERIES GALA
AN ENTIRE EVENING OF FOOD, FUN & ENTERTAINMENTIN SUPPORT OF LOCAL HEALTH CARE.
Wine & Cheese Reception 5:30 pm • Dinner 6:00 pm • Concert - 8:00 pmTickets $60 available through:
September 27, 2014 Claresholm Community Centre
PRESENTS…
DUELLING PIANOS
Tara Bishoff: 403.682.3739 & Health Foundation Board Members or in Claresholm at:Home Hardware • Bumper to Bumper • The Write Source • Claresholm General Hospital
Services with Alberta Health Services, Central Zone.
Community health centres across the province help families with:
Pregnancy Parents can learn in prenatal classes how their baby is developing and what they can do to have a healthy child. Many health centres offer expectant parents—or can refer them to—classes on labour, birth and early parenthood. Support is also available for women with complications such as diabetes, hypertension or mental health problems.
In some cases, the centres can even offer modest financial help for things such as vitamins, food and transportation.
Parenting It’s normal to need help after your baby arrives. Nurses with Health Link Alberta, 1-866-408-5465 (LINK), offer parents advice on crying, rashes, fevers, sleepless nights and more, 24 hours a day. Health Link nurses can also recommend programs and services available at your community health centre and in your community, including parenting classes, follow-up physical exams for mom and baby, and help with breastfeeding.
Parents can also get advice about their own health, including mental health problems and addiction, family violence, physical and social wellness and more.
early childhoodA child’s first 2,000 days are critical to their health and development later in life. That’s when their brain architecture is built, their bodies grow and they gain lifelong skills. A community health centre is one of the best places for parents to learn about
their child’s early years, and where they can work with staff to create a roadmap of the health-care services their child will need.
“Community health centres are there to help parents through the ages and stages of their child’s growth and development,” says Fredeen-Kohlert.
In addition, Well Child Clinics in community health centres regularly weigh and measure children to track their growth and development. If there are delays in movement, speech, hearing or behaviour, parents can work with specialists to help their child.
Children’s immunization also begins in community health centres, protecting them against diseases
such as polio, diphtheria, mumps, measles, rubella and seasonal influenza
For other health-care concerns, public health staff can connect families to services and community organizations such as Parent Link and Family and Community Support Services in their area.
“What we do today has an impact on how healthy we are in the future,” says Fredeen-Kohlert.
— Amy Sawchenko
To learn more, visit albertahealthservices.ca and search for community health services.
24 Apple Fall 2014
Youthful
Just days after she finished kindergarten, Olive Henry started wondering about Grade 1. “She asked a lot of questions about what she’ll learn,” says Olive’s mom, Kylie Henry. To get answers, they attended an open house at Olive’s new school. “They let us come in and visit the classes and let her get a little bit more familiar and meet the teachers and see the kids,” says Henry, “Just to take that anxiety level down.”
Whether starting Grade 1, 6 or 12, anxiety is common for any child, regardless of age, when facing new
From kindergarten to secondary school Helping your child from one grade to the next
Talking with your child about new situations can help prepare him and reduce his anxiety.
Phot
o: Im
gorth
and
applemag.ca 25
surroundings. “‘What if I get lost? What if I can’t find the bathroom?’ Those are legitimate concerns and that’s a big thing we deal with, especially in the first couple of months,” says Sandy Cordingley, a teacher who helps kids settle into their next grade at St. Elizabeth Seton Elementary/Junior High School in Edmonton.
Most schools in Alberta provide orientation for students so they can find their way around and “see what the lockers look like,” Cordingley says. Other activities can include scavenger hunts, tours by older students and one-on-one tours for students with special needs.
“Transitions are really, really critical for a kid,” she says. “I’ve seen the difference it makes if you make a point of connecting—especially with kids who have special needs. It can make all the difference in attendance and not falling through the cracks.”
You can help your kids by talking about your own experiences getting used to a new school (or job) and encouraging your child to imagine their new situation. “Parents can help their children create a picture in their mind,” says Alberta Health Services’ Leslianne Sugiura, who works with Alberta Education to meet students’ needs.
Sugiura recommends talking through what kids are picturing and asking what they might do in different situations. She also suggests keeping in touch with your child’s teachers and school as she gets older. “It’s really important not to lose the connection between the parent and the school and the child—all three,” Sugiura says.
And if you’re nervous about the move, don’t pass it on. “For the most part, kids are resilient and eager,
especially once they have gone through kindergarten—they already like learning and want to continue,” says Cordingley.
That’s certainly the case with Olive,
Tips for moving to the next grade:
• Gototheschool’sopenhouseoraskforatour
• Askyourchildtoimaginethenewsituationandtalkthroughhowtodealwithit
• Ifyou’reanxiousaboutyourchild’smove,don’tpassiton
• Stayconnectedtotheschool—regardlessofthegradeyourchildisin
• Asktheschoolformoreinformationonhowtohelpeaseyourchildintothenextgrade.
who says she’s looking forward to meeting new people and learning more about numbers.
— Jennifer Allford
26 Apple Fall 2014
+50
Can you hear me now? Hearing loss is common but often untreated in older adults
We accept our wrinkles and thinning grey hair as normal signs of aging, yet we’re not above collagen fillers and colouring our hair. When we have difficulty reading the fine print in our 40s, we buy funky reading glasses or fashionable progressives. At 50, we get yearly eye exams to catch glaucoma or macular degeneration early so it can be treated.
So why are we reluctant to deal with age-related changes to our hearing?
Next to arthritis, hearing loss is the most common health complaint of older adults, and has become one of the fastest growing phenomena related to aging in Canada. The Hearing Foundation of Canada says more than half of Canadians over the age of 65 will experience some degree of hearing loss and that two-thirds of seniors who could benefit from hearing aids either do not seek help or refuse treatment.
Lori Wood, an audiologist at the South Health Campus in Calgary,
says even people who know they’re losing their hearing, most usually wait seven to 10 years before getting tested. “There is still a stigma attached to wearing a hearing aid. It’s seen as a weakness or sign of aging.”Unlikeothernormalbodychanges
due to aging, unaddressed hearing loss can have a profound effect on quality of life and well-being, Wood says. “People who have difficulty hearing tend to participate less in conversations, retreat into the background or avoid social situations
Phot
o: M
ike
Wat
son
Being tested and treated for hearing loss can improve the quality of your conversations, relationships and life.
applemag.ca 27
Tips for communicating if you have hearing loss
• Tellpeoplethatyouhavedifficultyhearing and ask if they can speak more clearly
• Chooseagoodlisteningposition
• Usevisualcues
• Turnoffnoiseormoveawaybeforecommunicating
• Requestonlyonepersonspeakatatime
• Whendiningout,gowhenit’slikelytobe less busy and sit across from your guests rather than beside them. Ask for a table along a side wall
• Repeatinformationbacktothetalkerto be sure you received it correctly
• Sitwithyourbetterhearingear towards the speaker. Best communication distance is about 1 to 1.2 metres (3 to 4 feet).
altogether—eventually leading to isolation and possibly depression.”
Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is very gradual and insidious, and many people may not realize they are affected or to what degree.
Wood says having trouble while talking on the phone is often an early indicator of loss because visual cues are not available. People may also notice they are feeling more tired than usual because they have to actively pay attention to sounds around them rather than passively listening. “When family members start complaining that the TV volume is too high, it might be time to come and get a hearing test.”
Normal hearing loss most often occurs in both ears, and older people usually have a combination of age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss (blame those rock concerts in your 20s). Men more commonly lose the high-frequency sounds, such as the higher-pitched voices of women and children, while women can have flat loss across frequencies.
Audiologists use hearing tests to determine a person’s hearing loss. Woods says most hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids, but unlike correcting vision, which is immediate, takes time because the brain must be retrained to receive sound from the ear.
People may also benefit from aural rehabilitation (AR) classes, which help people adjust to hearing loss,
Tips for communicating with someone who has hearing loss
• Bepatient,hearingaidstaketimeandpractice to be effective
• Askthepersonwithhearinglossif there is anything you can do to improve his/her hearing and speech understanding
• Informthelisteneroftopicchangesasthey occur in conversation
• Changewordsorrepeatthemessageif the listener does not understand
• Speakatanaveragerate
• Removethingsfromyourfacebeforetalking
• Moveclosertothelistener,callthelistener’s name or touch their arm before talking
• Conversationiseasieringoodlighting.
maximize hearing aid benefits, manage conversations, make speeches and deal with background noise.
Wood believes the stigma of wearing hearing aids is disappearing and says people who come into her clinic are surprised by the improved technology and wireless options available. “The tiny buds can be Bluetooth-controlled by a pocket
device so you don’t have to use your hand to adjust the volume. With so many iPods and wearable Bluetooth devices out there, it is ubiquitous to have something in your ear.”
For information about Alberta Health Services audiology services where you live, call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.
— Dawna Freeman
Having trouble whiletalking on the phone is often an
early indicator of hearing loss
28 Apple Fall 2014
Keep in mind
Don Carruthers Den Hoed has a simple prescription for curing many of the modern-day mental illnesses that can trouble us: “Take a dose of nature; repeat.”
As Public Engagement and Inclusion Team lead for Alberta Parks – Kananaskis, Carruthers Den Hoed believes time spent in nature has the power to restore anyone’s mind, body and spirit.
“You don’t need fancy equipment, or to be the world’s best mountain climber. Simply connecting to nature is good for you,” he says.
A significant body of evidence now proves the point. People who walk through a natural environment have a lower blood pressure and heart rate than they do if they walk through an urban setting. One study has shown that people recover from surgery faster if their hospital room has a view of a forested area.
“There is something about being in nature that helps people relax and biologically slow down,” says Dr. Laura Calhoun, an Edmonton based psychiatrist and provincial medical director of Alberta Health Services’ Addiction and Mental Health.
When under stress, the adrenal glands produce cortisol, a hormone
The nature of mental health Forests and fresh air can restore mind, body and spirit
that helps prepare the body for a fight-or-flight response. However, toxic stress—chronic, unrelenting and unpredictable stress—can lead to low but steady levels of cortisol, which, Calhoun notes, have been associated with anxiety and depression. Being in nature, however, helps keep stress—and perhaps cortisol—in check. CarruthersDenHoed,aUniversity
of Calgary PhD candidate who is currently conducting research on nature’s effect on people, says nature has other benefits, too.
“One of the theories suggests nature helps us restore our ability to focus after being depleted by all the daily activities that demand our attention. Nature is an antidote to attention fatigue.”
Other theories non-human relationships, such as with pets, or a connection to the wilderness, help promote wellness. Another idea is that we all have an innate, evolutionary affinity to natural places, which can be disrupted by spending all our time in towns and cities.
But you don’t have to move to a cabin in the woods to reap the benefits of being in nature. “If you’re looking to improve mental health, go for a walk by a river or spend some time in a garden,” Calhoun says.
Adds Carruthers Den Hoed: “One phrase I find myself using quite a bit is: ‘nature doesn’t just make you feel good, it makes you well.’ ”
— Greg Harris
Illust
ratio
n: M
icha
el G
rills
Research shows spending time in nature can lower blood pressure and stress, improve anxiety, depression, attention fatigue and mental well-being.
applemag.ca 29
Meal deal
A classic chicken salad sandwich is the perfect fit for school and work lunches, casual afternoon gatherings and busy fall schedules. But there’s no reason to limit yourself to chicken, mayo and bread; inspired by tastes of the world, this chicken salad is revisited, taking on Indian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Middle Eastern and African flavours. All sandwiches are easy to prepare using skinless, boneless chicken thighs; if you have leftover roast chicken or turkey on hand, feel free to use it instead.
— Text and recipes by Julie Van Rosendaal — Photos by Shallon Cunningham, Salt Food Photography
A classic chicken salad sandwich goes international
30 Apple Fall 2014
nort
h Af
rican
chi
cken
with
ra
s el
han
out
Use
the
clas
sic
chic
ken
sala
d re
cipe
. Add
1 c
love
of g
arlic
to
the
chic
ken
and
stoc
k as
it s
imm
ers.
If y
ou c
an fi
nd ra
s el
han
out,
a N
orth
Afri
can
spic
e bl
end,
add
1 ts
p (5
ml),
or
to ta
ste.
Oth
erw
ise
mix
you
r ow
n us
ing
¼ ts
p (1
ml)
each
gr
ound
gin
ger,
card
amom
, cin
nam
on, a
llspi
ce, n
utm
eg,
coria
nder
, tur
mer
ic a
nd b
lack
pep
per.
Serv
e in
hal
ved
who
le
whe
at p
itas
with
ple
nty
of fr
esh
pars
ley.
Ser
ves
4.
Clas
sic
chic
ken
sala
d sa
ndw
ich
ingr
edie
nts
4 sk
inle
ss, b
onel
ess
chic
ken
thig
hs, t
rimm
ed o
f exc
ess
fat
1 cu
p (2
50 m
l) lo
w-s
odiu
m c
hick
en s
tock
2 Tb
sp (3
0 m
l) lig
ht m
ayon
nais
e
2 Tb
sp (3
0 m
l) pl
ain
fat-
free
Gree
k yo
gurt
1 Tb
sp (1
5 m
l) le
mon
juic
e
1 c e
lery
sta
lk, fi
nely
dic
ed
2 Tb
sp (3
0 m
l) ch
oppe
d fre
sh p
arsl
ey, b
asil
or m
int
1 g r
een
onio
n, fi
nely
cho
pped
¼ ts
p (1
ml)
fresh
ly g
roun
d bl
ack
pepp
er, t
o ta
ste
8 sl
ices
who
le g
rain
bre
ad o
r 4 w
hole
gra
in b
uns
1 cu
p (2
50 m
l) ba
by s
pina
ch, s
prin
g m
ix o
r ot
her f
resh
gre
ens
Prep
arat
ion
Set a
med
ium
ski
llet o
ver m
ediu
m-h
igh
heat
. Add
the
chic
ken
thig
hs a
nd s
tock
and
brin
g to
a s
imm
er. R
educ
e th
e he
at,
cove
r and
sim
mer
for 2
0 m
inut
es, o
r unt
il th
e ch
icke
n is
co
oked
thro
ugh.
Rem
ove
the
chic
ken
from
the
stoc
k an
d se
t as
ide
to c
ool;
rese
rve
the
stoc
k fo
r ano
ther
use
.
Whe
n th
e ch
icke
n is
coo
l eno
ugh
to h
andl
e, ro
ughl
y ch
op
and
trans
fer t
o a
bow
l. Ad
d re
mai
ning
ingr
edie
nts
exce
pt
spin
ach,
and
toss
to c
oat.
Serv
e on
who
le w
heat
bun
s or
sp
read
bet
wee
n tw
o sl
ices
of w
hole
whe
at b
read
, top
ped
with
sp
inac
h, s
prin
g m
ix o
r oth
er fr
esh
gree
ns. S
erve
s 4.
Mex
ican
chi
cken
wra
ps
Use
the
clas
sic
chic
ken
sala
d re
cipe
; om
it th
e ce
lery
and
re
plac
e th
e pa
rsle
y w
ith 2
Tbs
p (3
0 m
l) ci
lant
ro a
nd th
e le
mon
juic
e w
ith 1
Tbs
p (1
5 m
l) lim
e ju
ice.
Add
1 T
bsp
(15
ml)
chili
pow
der a
nd ½
tsp
(2 m
l) cu
min
. Wra
p m
ixtu
re in
w
hole
whe
at fl
our t
ortil
las
with
2 T
bsp
(30
ml)
dice
d to
mat
o or
bel
l pep
pers
, 1 T
bsp
(15
ml)
dice
d av
ocad
o, 2
Tbs
p (3
0 m
l) sh
redd
ed le
ttuce
and
1 T
bsp
(15
ml)
red
or g
reen
sal
sa.
Serv
es 4
.
applemag.ca 31
The
low
dow
ns
Turk
ish
lem
on c
hick
en p
itas
Use
the
clas
sic
chic
ken
sala
d re
cipe
.
Add
1 cr
ushe
d ga
rlic
clov
e an
d 1
tsp
(5 m
l) gr
ated
fres
h gi
nger
. Sw
ap th
e pa
rsle
y fo
r 2 T
bsp
(30
ml)
min
t, ad
d 1
tsp
(ml)
grat
ed le
mon
zes
t and
dou
ble
the
lem
on ju
ice
to 2
Tbs
p (3
0 m
l). S
erve
in s
mal
l who
le w
heat
pita
s w
ith 1
Tbs
p (1
5 m
l) fin
ely
chop
ped
or ju
lienn
ed c
ucum
ber.
Serv
es 4
.
indi
an c
hick
en ro
gan
josh
Cut c
hick
en in
to c
hunk
s an
d m
arin
ate
in 1
cup
(250
ml)
plai
n fa
t-fre
e Gr
eek
yogu
rt, ¼
cup
(60
ml)
crus
hed
tom
atoe
s, 1
Tb
sp (1
5 m
l) gr
ated
gin
ger,
2 cr
ushe
d ga
rlic
clov
es, 1
Tbs
p (1
5 m
l) cu
rry
past
e, 2
tsp
(10
ml)
gara
m m
asal
a or
cur
ry
pow
der,
1 ts
p (5
ml)
papr
ika
and
½ ts
p (2
ml)
cinn
amon
. Co
ok th
e ch
icke
n in
a c
over
ed p
an in
its
mar
inad
e fo
r 20
min
utes
or u
ntil
cook
ed th
roug
h. S
erve
wra
pped
in s
oft n
aan
brea
d, h
alve
d, to
pped
with
1 ts
p (5
ml)
fresh
cila
ntro
and
1
Tbsp
(15
ml)
of p
lain
yog
urt.
Serv
es 4
.
viet
nam
ese
chic
ken
banh
mi
Use
the
clas
sic
chic
ken
sala
d re
cipe
; om
it th
e ce
lery
and
pa
rsle
y an
d re
plac
e th
e le
mon
juic
e w
ith 2
Tbs
p (1
5 m
l) fis
h sa
uce.
Add
1 ts
p (5
ml)
brow
n su
gar a
nd 1
tsp
(15
ml)
Srira
cha
or o
ther
hot
chi
li sa
uce
to ta
ste.
Tos
s 1
cup
(2
50 m
l) co
arse
ly g
rate
d ca
rrot
s w
ith 2
Tbs
p (3
0 m
l) ric
e vi
nega
r and
1 T
bsp
(15
ml)
suga
r; le
t sit
for a
t lea
st 1
0 m
inut
es. S
erve
the
chic
ken
sala
d on
a 2
5-cm
(4-in
ch) p
iece
of
who
le w
heat
bag
uette
, top
ped
with
the
pick
led
carr
ots,
1
Tbsp
(15
ml)
thin
ly s
liced
cuc
umbe
r (us
e a
vege
tabl
e pe
eler
) and
1 ts
p (5
ml)
fresh
cila
ntro
. Ser
ves
4.
Usin
g th
e Al
bert
a N
utri
tiona
l Gui
delin
es, t
hese
rec
ipes
are
:Ch
oose
mos
t-of
ten
Cho
ose
som
etim
es
Clas
sic
chic
ken
sala
d sa
ndw
ich
per s
ervi
ng (1
/4 o
f chi
cken
sal
ad w
ith
2 sl
ices
of b
read
): 23
0 ca
lorie
s, 5
g to
tal f
at (1
g s
atur
ated
fat,
0 g
trans
fat),
29
0 m
g so
dium
, 31
g ca
rboh
ydra
te,1
7 g
prot
ein,
11g
fibr
e.
Nor
th A
fric
an c
hick
en w
ith ra
s el
han
out p
er s
ervi
ng (1
/4 o
f chi
cken
sal
ad
with
a 1
/2 p
ita):1
90 c
alor
ies,
5 g
tota
l fat
(1 g
sat
urat
ed fa
t, 0
g tra
ns fa
t),
290
mg
sodi
um, 2
1 g
carb
ohyd
rate
, 16
g pr
otei
n, 3
g fi
bre.
Mex
ican
chi
cken
wra
p pe
r ser
ving
(1/4
of c
hick
en s
alad
with
1 to
rtill
a):
240
calo
ries,
9 g
tota
l fat
(2 g
sat
urat
ed fa
t, 0
g tra
ns fa
t), 4
20 m
g so
dium
, 23
g c
arbo
hydr
ate,
16
g pr
otei
n, 3
g fi
bre.
Turk
ish
lem
on c
hick
en p
ita p
er s
ervi
ng (1
/4 o
f chi
cken
sal
ad w
ith
1 sm
all p
ita):
90 c
alor
ies,
5 g
tota
l fat
( 1
g sa
tura
ted
fat,
0 g
trans
fat),
28
0 m
g so
dium
, 21
g ca
rboh
ydra
te, 1
6 g
prot
ein,
4 g
fibr
e.
Viet
nam
ese
chic
ken
banh
mi p
er s
ervi
ng (1
/4 o
f chi
cken
sal
ad
with
1 b
ague
tte s
lice)
: 320
cal
orie
s, 6
g to
tal f
at (1
g s
atur
ated
fat,
0
g tra
ns fa
t), 8
10 m
g so
dium
, 64g
car
bohy
drat
e, 2
1 g
prot
ein,
21
g fi
bre.
Indi
an c
hick
en r
ogan
josh
per
ser
ving
(1/4
of c
hick
en s
alad
with
½
naa
n): 2
30 c
alor
ies,
4 g
tota
l fat
(1 g
sat
urat
ed fa
t, 0
g tra
ns fa
t),
420
mg
sodi
um, 2
8 g
carb
ohyd
rate
, 20
g pr
otei
n, 3
g fi
bre.
32 Apple Fall 2014
Body talk
Making a list, checking it twiceA handy and helpful tool to track your medications
Can you name all the medications you take? If you are like most people, you probably find it hard to name them all. Now imagine trying to name all of your medications in an emergency. This is why making a MedList is important.
A MedList is an easy-to-use list that helps you keep track of your medications, including the dose and how often you take it. You can also fill in your medical history and allergies. If suddenly you are not able to speak for yourself, your list can speak for you.
Keeping track of your medications is important because it can help health-care providers treat you and avoid dangerous drug interactions. Donna Takeda, a MedList user since 2012, recalls using her list at the dentist. “It was my first appointment and he needed the information for his files,” she says.
When asked about our medications, most of us try to remember everything from memory. Takeda was able to simply hand over her MedList, and was at ease knowing nothing had been missed. This is important if you see more than one health-care provider or go to more than one pharmacy.
“I am glad I have my list and have used it twice in the last month,” Takeda says, “because I had the original template it was very easy to fill out.”
Items to put on your list include prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs (pain killers, vitamins, cold medicine,
applemag.ca 33
ect.), supplements, creams, nose/eye drops, inhalers and herbs. Anything you take to help keep yourself healthy is important to note.
The MedList comes in two sizes: standard paper size and wallet size so you can carry it with you. “I keep it in my wallet as I think this is the first place emergency personnel would look,” Takeda says. “I like to think of my list as a bit of insurance.”
Takeda says her MedList also helped her on a recent triptotheUnitedStates.“Ididn’tneedtotakemyoriginalpill bottles, as my pharmacist packed and sealed my medication for me with all the information that the border would require.” She was able to refer to her MedList and leave her luggage packed for easier travel.
Now, let’s try this again. Name all the medications you take, this time using your MedList. See how easy it was? If it’s on the list, it won’t be missed.
— Melissa Huizenga
Visit AlbertaHealthServices.ca/MedList to create your MedList.
How to use the MedList:
1. Before filling in the list, collect all the medications you take.
2. Write down the following for each medication:
•Thename(example:Tylenol)
•Thedose(example:500mg)
•Howmuch(example:1pill,3drops)
•Howoftenandwhattimeofdayyoutakeit(example:1pill a day, in the morning)
•Reasonfortakingthemedication(example:arthritis)
3. Keep this list with you so it’s on hand when you need it, such as when you visit the doctor, pharmacist, hospital, or have a medical appointment.
4. Whenever you have a change in your medication, update your MedList.
5. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the medications you take.
34 Apple Fall 2014
We share your passion for health. So we’re connecting with you to share stories about health and health care in our province.
We look forward to meeting with you at community events, Apple Talks and open houses throughout Alberta in the weeks ahead.
For details, visit our Passion for Health pages at: albertahealthservices.ca/10254.asp
applemag.ca 35
Next time in AppleWe look at:
Women’s health = family health
Finding balance in a busy life
Talking it out
Out December 1, 2014
Keeping Water Healthy
applemag.ca 37
Keeping Water Healthy
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Essential to health and to life, water is increasingly facing pressure in Alberta. As our province grows, how we use, manage and protect our water will change. Connie Bryson looks at the possibilities
Clean water is a foundation of health. It’s no surprise that water treatment is a priority for communities worldwide. In Alberta, our drinking water is among the safest in the world.
But a resource as precious as water requires a watchful eye. The pressure on water will increase as our population grows (it's forecast to hit 7.5 million by 2050) and demand swells among people, industry and agriculture. Added to this is the uncertainty of how climate change may affect our water supply and quality.
Albertans aren’t waiting to find out. In 2003, the Alberta government launched its Water for Life strategy to help manage and protect the province’s water resources. The strategy, which was renewed in 2008, is making a difference. For example, all Alberta water utilities must now develop drinking water safety plans. These plans identify all the risks to a water supply and ways to manage and monitor them. Alberta is the first place in North America to do this, something the World Health Organization believes is the best way to protect
a drinking water supply. TheUniversityofAlbertaWater
Initiative is bringing together more than 100 water researchers in a wide range of fields including economics, water treatment, biology, water policy, health and nanotechnology. Research director Dr. Greg Goss says the Water Initiative is all about “connecting biologists, physicists, chemists, business people, social scientists, Aboriginal groups, industry and agriculture. We’re getting people talking to find out where the gaps are and then work to close them.” Ar
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The Water Initiative is focused on three research areas: developing and assessing new approaches to water treatment in Alberta’s resource industry, forecasting and assessing the effects of climate change on Alberta’s future water supply, and developing new water treatment and monitoring technologies for rural communities.
Alberta is a perfect place to do this research because almost all of the water issues facing the world are found here, including a lowered water supply, competition for water
among users, the need for better water services for rural and remote regions, and recreational water quality. Sharing what we learn with the rest of the world creates a great win-win situation and will make Alberta an international leader in this field.
One of the high-profile problem-
solvers Alberta has recruited to work on water is Dr. Nick Ashbolt. As the translational chair in Water, Ashbolt will receive $4.2-million in funding over seven years from Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions. A professor in the School of Public HealthattheUniversityofAlberta,Ashbolt is part of a province-wide research effort to improve the way our water supplies are used and managed. The goal is to turn research results into action.
Ashbolt’s team is exploring water treatment technologies. He says that our current system—treating water in the same way for all uses and then putting 95 per cent of it back in the sewer—is unsustainable. Even in water-rich Alberta, we won’t have enough water to keep doing this. “We need to rethink our current centralized water service,” says Ashbolt. “Less than 20 per cent of the
We need to rethink our current centralized water service
Water conservation begins at home
The best place to start conserving water is in your bathroom, where you use 65 per cent of your total household water. You can:
• Fixleakingtoilets.Aleakingtoiletcanwasteupto12,000litresofwaterinasinglemonth.
• Considerreplacingyourtoilet.Low-volumeandultra-low-volumetoiletsuseaboutone-thirdofwhat old toilets use.
• Installlow-flowshowerheads.
• Shortenyourshower.
• Don’trunthewaterwhilebrushingyourteethorshaving.
Energy efficient washing machines and dishwashers typically use less water than standard appliances when washing a full load.
Be water-wise outside too. It’s easy to overwater. Experts say most lawns and gardens only need about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) of water per week.
For more water conservation tips, visit onesimpleact.alberta.ca and click on Simple Solutions.
heading
water we get in our homes needs to be drinking water quality, and yet we use this water for everything. There’s a movement around the world to treat water on a fit-for-purpose basis.”
One idea, is to turn blackwater (toilet water) and organic matter put down the kitchen sink via a garburator into methane gas or a source of nutrients. “All that food and fecal residue is actually good energy,” notes Ashbolt. “Why not use it?” Graywater (shower, dish, laundry wastewater) could be filtered and simply treated (but not made drinkable) for reuse in toilets and washing machines or as irrigation water. The result: less energy to move and treat water, less drinking water piped to homes, and little contamination to lakes and rivers.
Cities such as Hamburg, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden are already doing this. However, it means changes to household plumbing, smaller sewers, and different firefighting options. Similar changes would be needed in Canada.
What we’re doing now with water services is not sustainable
Cleaner water for more communities
Small communities often get their water from groundwater or small streams and lakes that are more easily contaminated than big city supplies. Remote communities and rural areas in Alberta face this challenge every day, mostly without the high-tech water treatment facilities available in cities. Research in Alberta may be the ticket to safe and clean water, whether in a First Nations community in Alberta, a big American city or a rural village in India.
University of Alberta engineering professor Sushanta Mitra leads the Global Integrated Water Management Network, which is developing affordable water monitoring and treatment tools that can reach far more people around the world. “You can have the latest and greatest technology,” he says, “but if it’s too expensive or too impractical, it just won’t work.”
A perfect example is Mitra’s sensor technology that quickly tests for potentially deadly E. coli bacteria in water. The hand-held device gives an answer in about 15 minutes. Normally test results would take 24 to 48 hours in a lab. “This is maybe OK if you’re near the lab,” notes Mitra. “But in many places in Canada and around the world, transportation of water samples to a suitable lab is a challenge.”
The monitoring device has been field tested in Canada and India, and is currently in a trial in Seattle.
40 Apple Fall 2014
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What is a boil water advisory?
During a boil water advisory, tap water is not safe to use for drinking, making infant formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth. Bring water to a rapid, rolling boil for one minute to kill disease causing micro organisms. Once cooled, use water for drinking or other household purposes.
For more details, visit albertahealthservices.ca/4238.asp.
We would also need to change how we think about water and waste. On average, urban Canadians use twice the amount of water per person as city dwellers in most other industrialized countries excepttheUnitedStates.
Ashbolt says the change is absolutely necessary and will pay for itself over time. While new housing developments are a great place to begin working on alternative water systems, Ashbolt thinks that small communities in semi-rural or remote areas are the best places to try out new water services because they don’t have large-scale infrastructure.
“What we’re doing now with water services is not sustainable,” he says. “In Alberta, we have a huge opportunity to change the way we manage water and energy so that it is sustainable. We’ll be creating healthier lifestyles for Albertans and, as we progress this opportunity, for people around the world.”
We have a huge opportunity to change the way we manage water
The Apple Guide to Walking
Taking a walk is the cheapest and easiest way to reap the lifelong benefits of good physical and mental health.
“Walking throughout your life helps you maintain quality of life and prevent chronic disease,” says Graham Matsalla, Health Promotion Facilitator with AHS. “Also, when we walk we tend to visit with others, have positive interactions and an increased sense of community.”
Our Apple Guide to Walking is filled with ways to help keep you walking all year long. We’ve also included tips on walking in different conditions and recommendations on 10 Alberta places that offer truly amazing walking experiences.
Happy trails.
Better health is just a few steps away. When you walk, you’re improving both mind and body.
Anne Georg looks at the benefits of walking for life
The case for walking – 15 reasons to walk year round Walking is a natural, efficient and comfortable way to get around in any season and has many benefits to your health. Here are 15:
1 Walking is easier on your body than many other physical activities, so you can do it throughout your life for better health, quality of life and independence.
2 Reducing the likelihood of developing diabetes by decreasing sugar levels and increasing insulin in your system.
3 Walking briskly 150 minutes a week (five times a week for 30 minutes) can help reduce the risk of being overweight or obese.
4 Walking can help keep your bones strong and help ward off osteoporosis.
5 Boosting romance with increased energy, improved blood flow and enhanced body image.
6 Reducing the risk of chronic disease by breathing fresh air, soaking up sunlight (and Vitamin D) and easing stress (see page 28).
7 Being something you can do anywhere, for free. A sturdy pair of walking shoes is all you need to keep active.
8 Meeting new people and making friends on the walking trails or through a walking club.
9 Getting to know your kids better. It’s easier to talk about sensitive topics in a relaxed, intimate setting, when you’re not face to face. Walking is also a time to bond and make memories together.
10 Improving balance, coordination and your ability to be active as you age.
11 Maintaining bone health and strength. That’s why medical professionals encourage people living with arthritis and many other diseases to walk.
12 Immediate benefits. Right away you’ll notice improved mood and self-esteem, increased energy and concentration and better sleep.
13 Connecting with your neighbourhood. Creating a social bond that improves individual health vital to a long and healthy life—and the health of your community.
14 Helping prevent and manage heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers with regular light walking, 30 minutes a day.
15 Increasing blood flow to the brain and keeping your brain active. Our minds are stimulated by physical activity and social engagement with family and community.
If you really want your kids to be active, be active with them. Research funded by Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions found children are less likely to be overweight when their parents encourage and join physical activities, from walking in a park to building a snow fort.
This study was the first to show that when parents and children are active together, kids’ risk of children obesity drops. Study findings are
The family that walks togetherbeing used in more than 50 APPLE schools. APPLE stands for the Alberta Project Promoting Active Living and Healthy Eating (APPLE) and is the brainchild of Dr. Paul Veugelers, an AIHS-funded researcher. APPLE schools are geared to changing the way schoolchildren and their families think and act around food and activity.
— Connie Bryson
42 Apple Fall 2014
Walking well—any time, any place
1 HeatBring lots of water, a long-sleeved
shirt, a hat and sunscreen. Recognize your limits, pace yourself, rest often and stop at any sign of physical distress.
Find shade if you become too hot
2 Cold and ice“There’s no bad weather, just bad
clothing,” Walkable Edmonton’s Ian Hosler says. “With good trail and sidewalk maintenance, weather doesn’t have to be a barrier to walking.” He recommends dressing in layers.
Always have a hat, gloves and appropriate footwear with a good grip. Lightweight crampons, a spiky plate that can be slipped onto your shoe, are ideal for walking on ice and preventing slips. Plan your routes where snow, ice and debris have been cleared. Or consider walking indoors at a mall, fitness or community centre or other indoor spaces.
3 RainHave an umbrella, rainproof outer
clothing and footwear. Be visible so drivers can see you. Watch your step as it can be muddy and slippery.
4 TrafficWalk facing the traffic and be
visible by wearing bright clothing. Pay attention. Don’t text and walk, or listen to loud music—distracted walking puts you and others at risk. Cross the street at pedestrian crossings and signal your intent to cross to drivers.
5 NatureKnow your route and be conscious
of your environment, as it changes with the weather and the season. Be aware of wildlife warning signs and evidence of recent wildlife activity. Carry pepper spray, make noise and travel in pairs in case you come across bears or other wildlife. Wear a long sleeved shirt, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes and bring enough water.
6 Indoors Join a group or club to make indoor
walking in malls a social event.
Wear the right footwear for the surface
7 With children, seniors and low- mobility companions“When you walk with the very
young and very old, let them set the pace,” says Monique Assi, manager of Early Detection Chronic Diseases with Alberta Health Services.
“Carry on a conversation with them to monitor their aerobic response.”
She recommends finding an appropriate place to walk and ensuring very young or very old companions have the clothing, footwear, water, nourishment and visibility they need for the walk.
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How to walk – 8 tips for walking correctly1 Stand with a straight back.
Lift your chest slightly
2 Bend your arms 90 degrees. Swing them opposite to your legs to balance your body
3 Hold your head straight. Place your neck in a neutral position by pulling your chin down and in slightly. This supports the head and prevents neck pain
4 Level your hips and point your knees forward
5 Tuck your pelvis under your torso
6 Take steps of equal length
7 Strike the ground with your heel first. Roll toward the balls of your feet. Then push off your toes
8 When carrying a backpack, distribute its weight equally across your shoulders.
Walking regularly and briskly five hours a week can reduce your risk of many cancers.
“The benefit is even greater if you do vigorous activity like running, but nonetheless walking will give you a clear health benefit,” says Dr. Christine Friedenreich, an Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions-fundedresearcherattheUniversity of Calgary.
Regarded as a pioneer in her area, she’s spent the past 20 years
studying how exercise can help prevent certain cancers and aid in recovery.
“There’s a lot of evidence to show that physical activity reduces the risk of breast, colon and endometrial cancers,” Friedenreich says. “For ovarian, prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancers, the evidence is weaker, but emerging.”
Exercise and activity can also help people survive and recover from cancer. An ongoing Alberta-based
study of prostate cancer survivors is showing that men who keep doing higher levels of physical activity after diagnosis have a better chance of surviving the disease. Friedenreich’s studies are also trying to identify the benefits of different levels of exercise.
To reduce your risk of cancer, walk fast enough (or exercise hard enough) to make breathing harder but talking still possible, for 300 minutes a week.
— Connie Bryson
Prevent cancer—with your feet
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Immediate benefits: Right away you’ll note
improved mood and self-esteem, increased
energy and concentration and better sleep
Where to walk – 10 tremendous walking places in Alberta
NorthWalk Fort McMurray’s Birchwood Trails to see the dancing Aurora Borealis on most cold, clear evenings from October to March. The city sits on the 65th parallel and many trails in its extensive system are ideal for viewing the northern lights.
Visit woodbuffalo.ab.ca.
Less than 300 kilometres north of Edmonton, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park is on the north-eastern shore of the largest vehicle-accessible lake in the province. Well-marked hiking trails wind along white sand beaches, through sand dunes and the boreal forest.
Visit lesserslavelake.ca.
EdmontonWalkable Edmonton is the city’s go-to source for walking. Find out about Winter Walk Day, discover routes through neighbourhoods such as Old Strathcona and 150-kilometres of maintained trails in Edmonton’s winding river valley.
Visit edmonton.ca/walkable.Just east of Edmonton, the Parkway Trail System in and around Sherwood Park has 135 kilometres of paved trails. One of the highlights: the Sherwood Park Natural Area offers a wildlife-watching platform in an aspen forest where you can see birds and animals.
Visit Strathcona.ca.
Louise McKinney Riverfront Park in Edmonton
Historic downtown Didsbury
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CentralBeaverhill Lake near Tofield attracts large numbers of birds that use the wetland as a stopover during migrations. Mornings from mid-May to mid-June and from August through September are the best times of the year for walkers to enjoy this international treasure.
Visit beaverhillbirds.com.
Didsbury’s historic walking tour offers a pleasant stroll revealing early 20th century architecture, typical of prairie boomtowns. The train station flanks historic downtown Didsbury and an elegant residential area is by large boulevard trees.
Visit didsbury.ca.
CalgaryDodge the winter blues in Calgary’s downtown core in the Plus 15 network, a series of elevated pedestrian bridges linking office towers, parking lots and retail centres. Maps located throughout make it easy to navigate the 16-kilometre climate-controlled network of walkways.
Visit calgarydowntown.com.
The spectacular scenery at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park stretches from the Calgary skyline to the Rocky Mountains. Near Cochrane, the park has more than 25 kilometres of walking trails, nestled among rolling hills along the Bow River.
Visit albertaparks.ca for a full listing of parks.
SouthChoose from more than 90 kilometres of trails in the Medicine Hat Heritage Trail System. The paved, shale and gravel trails combine with side streets, creating a scenic opportunity to see city communities, parks and attractions.
Visit tourismmedicinehat.com.
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park is a major archaeological site and a spiritual centre for the Blackfoot people in Alberta’s southeast. Explore the wonder of hoodoos, clay mounds and coulees on the Hoodoo Trail, a 4.4-kilometre loop.
Visit albertaparks.ca.
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Toddler Dash Clark barely makes a fuss when he gets his 18-month immunization shots. The blonde, curly haired boy is soon doing what he loves best, playing with toy trucks and then sleeping.
Dash’s parents, Stacey, 29, and Josh, 35, want to make sure their son is protected against infectious diseases and that he doesn’t pass them along to others. So they follow the routine immunization schedule in Alberta. They know immunization works, can be trusted and is safe.
Why vaccines are safeNext to clean drinking water, nothing saves more lives than vaccines. Vaccines are rigorously tested and retested and tested once more before they are approved for human use. Then they are carefully reviewed before being distributed by provincial, national and international health organizations.
A century ago, we were defenceless against infectious diseases such as mumps, measles and polio. Then came immunization, a virtual armour that’s one of the greatest health advances of all time. As Mike Fisher and Terry Bullick write, the memories of many infectious diseases may be fading, but the need for immunization remains as strong as ever
The risk of not being
immunized is far greater than
the rare side effects of being
immunized
Immunization: our community armour
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“We monitor both the benefits and risks of the vaccines and we do it continually with more data than we have ever had before,” says Dr. James Talbot, the chief medical officer of health for Alberta. “We are constantly looking at information and evaluating and solving problems. We are not complacent about this. We are dedicated to ensuring vaccines are safe.”
Like any medicine, vaccines can have side effects. Overwhelmingly, these effects are nothing more than a fever, or tenderness and swelling where the needle was given. The risk of not being immunized is far greater than the side effects of being immunized.
Protection against illnessOverall, our health is better than our ancestors’ and immunization is one of the main reasons. We have the knowledge, technology and resources to make immunization a continued success in Alberta—as Albertans, we deeply value health.
Vaccines prompt the body to build natural immunity against infectious diseases, before being exposed to those diseases. It’s like putting on a coat of invisible armour. Just as armour protects from injury, immunization protects us from illness. Without immunization, individuals, families and communities face a much tougher battle against infectious diseases.
Immunization gains strength in numbers. When you immunize your child, you are also building your community’s defences against disease. The more people who are immunized, the less opportunity a disease has to spread in the community. Immunization rates must be high—at least 80 per cent for some diseases and ranging to more than 90 per cent with others—to be effective and to reach what the public health community calls herd immunity. This means that people most at risk for infectious diseases are protected.
Talbot says the community armour of immunization has two
applemag.ca 51
layers. “One for you and one for the community. So when you are protected, you are protecting others in the community.”
How vaccines workOur world is filled with germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, helminths). They live in, on and around plants, animals, soil and water. Most of them are harmless. Some can be helpful, like the bacteria in our intestines that help digest food. But some are relentless because they are constantly evolving to conquer our immune system. They want to storm the castle—our bodies—and once they do, they begin to multiply and damage cells. That’s when our immune system (“the castle guards”) responds and tries to expel the microscopic enemy. For example, we fight off a cold by coughing,
sneezing and developing a fever. Vaccines are made of harmless
pieces of germs. They work by tricking the body into believing it is experiencing a full-scale invasion by those germs. The body responds by fortifying its defences. As the body’s immune system springs into action, it builds protective armour and generates antibodies to attack the intruder.
The body remembers this invasion so that the immune system can recognize and neutralize real germs when they appear. Thanks to immunization, our protective armour remains intact.
Scientists estimate that our immune system can react to about 10,000 different things at a time. Immunization barely taxes the daily immune response, even for a two-month-old infant. Vaccines given at
The next generation of vaccines
For most of us, preventing disease is preferable to curing it. And vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria. Thanks to the work of an Alberta researcher and his team, a new and better vaccine is on the horizon for diseases caused by bacteria or the toxins they generate.TheUniversityofCalgary’sDr.TonySchryvers,longsupportedbyAlberta
Innovates – Health Solutions for his research on childhood infections, says changing the usual approach to making vaccines for bacterial diseases has opened up new ways to develop better vaccinations to prevent them.
Vaccines used today for bacterial diseases are made by using the best antigen (a foreign substance that produces an immune response) to stop infection. Schryvers’ team has turned that thinking upside down by finding ways to stop the disease-causing bacteria from thriving.
“What we did was find proteins that were absolutely essential for the bacteria to survive and targeted them,” he explains. By targeting the proteins, Schryvers and his team aim to “disarm” the bacteria and prevent people from getting sick.
Schryvers’ team is looking at ways to fight meningitis and upper and lower respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, ear infections and sinusitis. Because the same kind of bacteria that causes these illnesses also causes shipping fever in cattle and Glasser’s disease in pigs, the research team also receives funds from the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency.
— Janet Harvey
52 Apple Fall 2014
two, four and six months of age use less than .01 per cent of an infant’s immune response.
Making informed choicesPeople generally trust the care and medication they receive when being treated for cancer and other illnesses. Yet, they don’t always trust vaccines, and can take a dim view of them based on information from unscientific websites or celebrity opinions.
In the absence of a threat from infectious diseases, some people can see a threat from the vaccine instead.
“We have been so successful fighting diseases with immunization that we now have to convince people there can be a problem,” Talbot says.
But people born before the 1960s can often recall those problems.
“I remember my cousin clanking around the bases in Little League Baseball because of the braces he was wearing for polio,” Talbot says.
Many younger parents tend to hesitate when considering immunization, says Dr. Cora Constantinescu, a Calgary pediatrician with a background in infectious diseases. “Trust is key,” she says. “There are all kinds of views about vaccination out there.”
You can find proven scientific information about immunization from Alberta Health Services, Health Canada, the Centres for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
All will point out that not being vaccinated has its risks. In every
instance, the risks from getting the disease are much greater than the risk of reacting to a vaccine. An Alberta baby died in 2012 from pertussis after being infected by an unimmunized adult. Earlier this year, measles outbreaks were declared in Edmonton, Calgary and central Alberta. In 2013, more than 40 cases were reported in Southern Alberta. One in three people who get the measles have complications such as diarrhea, ear infections (which can cause permanent hearing loss), pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and seizures.
Of course, parents want to keep their kids safe, says Dr. Gerry Predy, the senior medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services. That’s also the aim of immunization.
“We are giving vaccines to healthy kids, and their parents, rightly so, are very careful,” he says. “We want to stress to parents the rarity of side effects.”
Wearing the armour It’s worth repeating that immunization is one of the most important advances in public health. Health Canada estimates immunization has saved more lives in Canada over the past 50 years than any other health measure. Before vaccines were available, thousands of Canadian children died or were disabled every year from diseases such as diphtheria, measles and polio.
These diseases are now preventable by being immunized. Albertans’ health can be improved with
In the absence of a threat from infectious diseases, people see a threat from
the vaccine instead
applemag.ca 53
The spread of immunization •Infectiousdiseaseswereoncetheworld’sleadingcauseofdeath.•Diseasessuchassmallpox,polio,measlesandmumpscausedillness,
disability and death in millions of people.•Startinginthe1920s,immunizationbecameawaytosafely,affordably
and effectively combat infectious diseases. By the 1960s, immunization was widespread.
•Themorepeoplevaccinatedagainstadisease,thelesslikelythedisease can spread and infect.
•Forimmunizationtoprotectacommunitynearlyeveryoneinthe community must be vaccinated.
•Whennotenoughpeoplearevaccinated,boththosewithgoodand with fragile health can become ill or die from a contagious disease.
greater immunization rates.When you and your family are
immunized—when you wear the armour—you help to protect your extended family, friends, coworkers and others in the community who are vulnerable to diseases. Everyone benefits. And our communities become healthier, stronger.
Parent Stacey Clark sees her family regular immunization as a “social responsibility” to protect her family’s health and the health of those most likely to catch an infectious disease: young children, the elderly and people living with chronic illness.
This is especially true as flu season approaches. “Particularly with flu, once you get infected you can spread it to others who can get infected and be hospitalized,” Predy says. “If more people were immunized, fewer people would get sick or end up in hospital.”
Battling the threat of diseases Disease is like a stealthy, stalking enemy, always hidden in the shadows. You may not see it, but it is still a threat. This is why you always need to be on guard and be outfitted in the community armour.
Predy says that because many younger parents have never seen, heard about or experienced the diseases being prevented with vaccines, they already feel that they and their children are safe.
“There is a perception that there is a lack of risk of infection so to a degree, vaccines are a victim of their own successes,” he says. “Parents need to understand that while they may not have seen a lot of these illnesses, they still exist in other countries. We live in a global village and they could be brought into Alberta.”
It works the other way, too. When
54 Apple Fall 2014
To learn more, visit the seasonal influenza immunization website at immunizealberta.ca. Search for the recommended immunization schedule at health.alberta.ca. For information on where you can be immunized, call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.
you travel, immunization can help to protect you and your family with the community armour you acquire in Alberta, particularly when visiting countries that don’t have rigorous immunization programs.
We have the resources, the expertise and the commitment to
improve the health of all Albertans with immunization. That’s why AHS provides vaccinations for free.
“The more people who treat these diseases with due respect and are immunized, the less likely the diseases can be transmitted to other people,” Talbot says.
You may not see them, but infectious diseases are
still a threat and why you need community armour
applemag.ca 55
Health wanted
To book an ad in Health Wanted, call 403.943.2892 or email [email protected]
Your health-care experience matters to us
If you have feedback or concerns about the care you or a family member received you can speak directly with your care team, or contact the Patient Relations Department:
Call 1-855-550-2555 or visit
www.albertahealthservices.ca/273.asp
Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop
Take control of your health through this free program. Feel better • Take small steps • Plan for the future
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Learn more about supporting healthy communities where you live.
Your Foundation | Your Community | Your Health | Your Gift Matters
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56 Apple Fall 2014
Praising passion
Debbie Piper was only 22 years old when she “met” the SPEC Association for Children and Families in 1980—they’ve been inseparable ever since. Together, they are part of what defines community spirit in Brooks.
SPEC started in 1978 as a single program for adult mentors to give guidance to at-risk kids and families; Piper started as a volunteer. Today she is SPEC’s executive director of the association that now runs several programs. Among them: before and after school childcare, an annual school supply drive, parent and tot play groups in Brooks and seven other rural communities, and a leadership program for youth at the local French school. SPEC programs now reach 4,000 children and adults a year, about 20 per cent of the population of Brooks and the County of Newell.
“If kids grow up in healthy families, they are going to be healthy adults,” says Piper. “And they are going to make good choices.”
Debbie Piper dreams big for kids This executive director helps define community spirit in Brooks
Piper has ‘a heart for people. A heart
for children’
The increasing diversity of the population in the area has challenged Piper and her team over the past 34 years. Mayor Martin Shields points out: “We’re the most diverse ethnic population per capita in Canada. The smallest citizenship court we’ve had was 31 different countries; the most we’ve had is 57 different countries.”
Piper says: “We had to learn about a lot of different cultures.” SPEC’s 30-plus staff speak more than a dozen languages.
SPEC chair Terry Melnychuk says Piper has “a heart for people. A heart for children.”
Indeed, a heart so big that in the early ’90s she became a foster parent of Annie Simpson, a child of a family
she had met through SPEC years earlier. Simpson says Piper “gave me someone to look up to, showed me another path, and taught me you had to work to get there.”
Piper says it’s the same advice she gave to other SPEC children. “I always say to kids, dream big. You are only as big as your dreams.”
— Jeff Collins
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Debbie Piper has helped and inspired families in Brooks for 34 years.
Our Praising Passion column, formerly known as Passion for Health, celebrates inspiring Albertans who are committed to improving the health and well-being of people in their communities.
You can vote for the Praising Passion nominee you’d like see featured in the next issue of Apple by emailing [email protected] or calling 403-943-1993. Comments are welcome and voting is open until Oct. 10, 2014.
Bev ParksAs the executive director of the Norwood Child & Family Resource Centre, Bev loves helping others see the good in the world. She lives every day according to her motto “live, love, laugh,” and wants to make Alberta a place where everyone is respected and accepted.
Cathy PayneBy day, Cathy manages the medicine unit at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre. Away from work, she has invested hundreds of hours volunteering at the Northern Lights Health Foundation. She believes in the importance of volunteering and is a dedicated fundraising leader for the foundation.
Christene GordonThe director of client services and programs with Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, Christene has worked for more than 20 years to change how we think about dementia and to promote innovation in dementia care.
George EppFor the past 13 years, George has worked for Horizon School Division in Taber as a Low German Mennonite liaison worker, and is also the manager of the Taber Mennonite Central Committee Services for Newcomers program. His goal: for everyone to have the opportunity to live a meaningful and productive life in Alberta.
Lynn Berry-BarsalouxLynn is a registered social worker at Alberta Health Services’ Child and Youth Mental Health Clinic in Grande Prairie, where she’s worked for 40 years. She believes in empowering young women and nearly 30 years ago was part of a committee that started the Pregnant and Parenting Teen Program.
Mark RowedA volunteer and original founding member of the Okotoks Network, Mark works to increase the quality of life in neighbourhoods by creating social connections. The network is currently working to bring people together through shared interests and activities so they can get to know their neighbours.
You can also call us at 403-943-1993 or email us at [email protected] to nominate someone working in health that you’d like to praise.
Praising Passion
Nominees for the Winter 2015 issue are:
58 Apple Fall 2014
My health outlook
I moved alone at the end of February from Cape Town, South Africa to High Level, Alberta, so I could be a family physician in Canada. A friend of mine used to work here and told me good things about the physicians here, and about the need for doctors in Northern Alberta.
Like anyone new to Alberta, the biggest change for me was the climate. Cape Town in the end of February has temperatures around 30°C, in High Level the temperature when I arrived was the total opposite at around -30°C.
It is funny because many Canadians—and Albertans for that matter—don’t even know where High Level is, but several South African
Dr. Paul JordaanSame profession—half a world away
doctors live here, making the social aspect surprisingly the same as back home. We learn together and work as a great team together—it’s a big group learning experience.
The practice of medicine here has been an education because so many more resources are available to doctors. In South Africa, you are limited in what you can do, but here we can do almost anything, from conducting blood tests to prescribing different medications that we just don’t have back home. Learning what systems were available for me to use was a big change initially.
Living in a small town exposes you to a lot of social issues as well—alcohol abuse and substance abuse—
but I see nearly the same medical issues here that I would see in South Africa.
Living in High Level has been fun. The biggest adjustment is that you are far away from a city, and there isn’t much to do other than work, but luckily the work keeps me busy.
It has been an interesting change, and good to learn about new cultures andexperiencenewpeople.Uphere you get exposed to all kinds of cultures, such as First Nations and Mennonites. it has a lot to take in all at once and it’s been a very interesting and informative adventure so far.
— As told to Landon Wesley
Dr. Paul Jordaan moved from South Africa to High Level, where he’s now a busy family physician.
Phot
o: D
an T
hies
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