Health Home,Sweet Home
Coaching to prevent chronic disease
Eating WellHow to balance your diet
Working together to strengthen the health of our communities
cfpcn.ca
WIN
GAMEPAIN the
Your Health is our focus WE PROUDLY OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES AT OUR 11 CALGARY RCA DIAGNOSTICS LOCATIONS
X-ray
Mammography
Image-Guided Pain Therapy
Bone Densitometry
Ultrasound
Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
Vascular Ultrasound Centre
Echocardiography
Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Exercise Stress Testing
403.777.3000 or request an appointment on l ine www.radio logy.ca
OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING PROVIDER OF THE
CK
MY
DOCKET#: 14-RCA-029 FILE NAME: RCA Diagnostics Ad FILE FORMAT: Illustrator CS6 CLIENT: RCA
FLAT SIZE: 7.25" × 4.75" FILE SIZE: 7.25" × 4.75" PROOF OUTPUT AT: 100% COLOURS: CMYKSCORE / DIE LINE: NO FILE PREPARED AT: 100%
PROOF#: 2 DATE: 03/14/14 STUDIOARTIST:
STUDIOMANAGER:
LANGUAGEREVIEW:
TIME: 2:40 PM CREATIVEDIRECTOR:Results.
Now.MRI and CT Exams - without the wait!
www.mayfairdiagnostics.com
OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING PROVIDER OF THE
403.777.4MRI (4674)
CK
MY
DOCKET#: 14-RCA-029 FILE NAME: Connecting Care - HalfPage Ad FILE FORMAT: Illustrator CS6 CLIENT: RCA
FLAT SIZE: 7.25" × 4.75" FILE SIZE: 7.25" × 4.75" PROOF OUTPUT AT: 100% COLOURS: CMYKSCORE / DIE LINE: NO FILE PREPARED AT: 100%
PROOF#: 1 DATE: 03/07/14 STUDIOARTIST:
STUDIOMANAGER:
LANGUAGEREVIEW:
TIME: 2:00 PM CREATIVEDIRECTOR:
Health Home, Sweet HomeCoaching to prevent chronic disease
cover story
Eating WellHow to balance your diet
WINNINGTHE PAINGAME
VOLUME 6 • NO. 2 • 2014
3
6
10
5
8 New resource helps Calgarians find a doctor
9 Healthy eating Recipe: Soy ginger salmon
10 Face of a doctor On a mission to make lives better: Dr. Robert Burn
12 Programs and clinics
www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network would like to thank Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. for their assistance in
printing this medical communication publication.
Team brings hope
Cover photo: Patient Jen walks with her boyfriend and dogs.
Primary Care Networks in Alberta are built to improve the access and delivery of primary health care in their communities. Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network is working with your doctor to provide you with quality primary health care in north Calgary and Cochrane.
For example, our after-hours Access 365 Clinic is there for your urgent after-hours needs and our behavioural health consultants are there to provide you with short-term mental health support, such as coping with loss. Our team of health care professionals is committed to making sure you are connected to the care that you need.
Enjoy this issue of Connecting Care, which highlights our ongoing commitment to excellence in patient care.
Sincerely,
Dr. Linda M. SlocombeMedical DirectorCalgary Foothills Primary Care Network
BackgroundCalgary Foothills Primary Care Network is a group of doctors who provide primary care services to patients living in north Calgary and Cochrane. Created in 2006, the PCN aims, through the leadership of family doctors, to provide enhanced access to integrated and comprehensive primary care, while engaging health teams in collaboration with the broader health care system.
What is primary care?Primary care involves the activities provided in the community that address the everyday health needs of individuals and their families through health promotion and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury.
Connecting Care is a PCN publication aimed at educating patients of member doctors about health issues and programs available to them and their families.
Editor Paula Beauchamp
Cover PhotographNeil Zeller Photography
Publisher Jim Thornton
Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network
500, 1716 - 16th Avenue NWCalgary, AB T2M 0L7
P 403.284.FPCN (3726)F 403.284.9518
[email protected] cfpcn.ca
Published for CFPCN byParagon Publishing Inc.
Calgary, AlbertaP 403.287.9818
Connecting Care Magazine is made available free of charge to the 350,000+ north Calgary and Cochrane patients of
392 PCN member physicians at more than 80 clinics in 54 communities.
The e-magazine version is available at cfpn.ca and by free subscription at [email protected]
All rights reserved ©2014. Printed in Canada. Member of the Canadian
Federation of Independent Business.
Medical director’s message
Placeholder forwhite FSC logo.
Publisher is to insert.
2 CONNECTING CARE • WINTER 2014
TO say Robert Ward is happy with the care he receives at his
health home — his doctor’s office in Capitol Hill — would be an
understatement. In fact, the retired exhibition designer is thrilled with
the changes he sees in the health system.
“Identifying problems earlier and encouraging people to play a
role in looking after their own health is so helpful,” he says. “When
everything is going in the direction of self-checkouts and self-help, it is
wonderful to have a human being there to actually help you.”
The health team at Robert’s doctor’s clinic includes a behavioural
health consultant, health management nurse and clinical pharmacist.
Working together with doctors at the clinic, they regularly see patients
who need extra information and support.
Referral in-houseIn late 2013, Robert’s doctor, Cassandra Millar, referred him to
two members of the team after routine blood tests revealed he had
high sugar levels and high cholesterol. With the help of a health
management nurse and clinical pharmacist, Robert overhauled his
lifestyle habits, particularly around eating and exercise.
Together they set goals for change, aiming to prevent Robert’s issues
from developing into a chronic condition. Temptations such as apple
fritters, pastries and chocolate bars were identified, as well as a need
for more regular exercise.
Portion sizes and food quality were discussed — and the impact
changes could have on his body. “It’s like an athlete having their own
team of coaches,” Robert, 63, says. “I can do this for myself for a few
months, but then I start to fall off the wagon. Being accountable to
someone else helps.”
Robert, an avid guitar player, believes the knowledge he has gained
from in-depth conversations with his health team will dramatically
improve his future. Although he was physically active as a youngster,
Coaching to prevent chronic disease
Robert’s body was no longer processing food as effectively as it did
when he was 18. Built-in physical activity patterns were lost when he
retired. “I no longer had that big cardio workout from pedaling uphill
to get home.” Robert says his health team helped set him on a road to
mindful recovery.
Some 99.6 per cent of family physicians who are members of
the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network have at least one health
team member in their clinic. The teams work to improve the delivery
of health care by increasing patient access to quality information
and care, improving patient outcomes. Team members may include
health management nurses, clinical pharmacists, behavioural health
consultants, registered dietitians, diabetes educators and respiratory
educators.
Aha momentsClinical pharmacist Noorani Ramji says patients often don’t know
what to expect because this is a new model of care. “Patients feel
reassured that we are all working together with their doctor,” she says.
“They feel empowered and so much more aware of what is happening
with their health because of the resources devoted to them. Sometimes
there is an aha moment or an epiphany.”
Robert now travels with a fold-up bike and exercises on a bouncer
that he keeps in his studio. He consciously chooses the food he eats
and feels positive about the future. “The bottom line is, maybe I’ll just
end up living longer and have more Saturday night jam sessions with
my buddies and continue to travel and go places with my wife,” he
says. “I certainly feel better.”
To find out more about your health team, please talk to your
family doctor.
HEALTH HOME, SWEET HOME
BY PAULA BEAUCHAMP
FUTURE FOCUSED: Patient Rob Ward believes he will live a healthier, longer life thanks to his health team.
Pho
to: P
aula
Bea
uch
amp
cfpcn.ca 3
WINNINGAGAINST
PAINTEAM
BRINGSHOPE
WATCHING Jen walk down the street, you’d never know she is bracing against the pain with each step. The 31-year-old says that is part of the problem. “I look good on the outside. It would be easy for someone to think I am faking it,” she says. “On the inside I can be crying with pain.
A NEW LIFE: Jen puts her best foot forward. Pho
to: N
eil Z
elle
r Ph
oto
gra
ph
y
4 CONNECTING CARE • WINTER 2014
Jen was 18 when she first experienced pain from endometriosis. In
years gone by, there have been times when the dark clouds of pain
hanging over Jen left her feeling down. By 26, the pain was having
such an impact on her life that she was ultimately forced to quit the job
she loved. “Pain wears on you day after day in a way you could never
understand if you haven’t experienced it,” she says.
In 2011, Jen’s family doctor Dennis Hayes began working with her at
his clinic and those feelings started to lift. He later referred Jennifer to
the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network’s Extended Team. “I honestly
can’t tell you what a difference they have made to my life,” Jen says.
The Extended Team offers care to patients who suffer from complex,
long-term (chronic) conditions including chronic pain, irritable bowel
syndrome and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
“Just having someone I can call or turn to when I’m down and think I’ll
never get out of the pain — and at the end of the line there’s someone
so warm and open and willing to listen,” she says. “I owe them so
much more than I can say.”
While many patients are referred to the Extended Team for
assessment or treatment of a single condition, added complexity and
other issues can be uncovered. The health team, which includes a range
of health professionals such as health management nurses, pharmacists
and doctors, takes a holistic approach to each patient’s needs.
Reducing painJen's first step towards recovery was a class on understanding pain
— learning how the brain and the nervous system work together to
produce our emotional and physical experience of pain. She joined
pacing classes, which taught her to intersperse the activities she needs
to do each day with periods of rest that help reduce pain flare-ups. Jen
also learned about breathing, meditation and yoga and how distracting
herself can help reduce the pain.
Over time clinical pharmacist Joe Kwan helped Jen, who was taking
pharmaceutical drugs to cope with the pain, to slowly reduce her
dosage. At the same time, they worked to minimize the effects of
withdrawal, such as cold sweats and mood swings. “The challenge is to
help patients develop other coping tools so they can rely on those tools
to deal with the pain when the narcotics are removed,” Joe says. “It
can involve working to improve mental health and providing supports in
their social environment that increase the ability to function.”
Medication can reduce pain by up to 10 per cent. But opioids are
no longer recommended in the treatment of chronic pain that is not
caused by cancer. Research now shows it is best to get support, get
active, get a recovery plan and get started.
Extended Team medical lead Dr. June Bergman says patients can
develop a different world view because of something that happened
as they first experienced chronic pain — often as a result of adverse
events in early life. “We try to help patients shift that world view that
is no longer working for them,” she says. “We help them explore new
ways of being. Once we have that shift and that buy-in, we can try
something totally different.”
On this journey to better manage her chronic pain, the team helped
Jen deal with her mental health issues that were making her pain worse.
Jen now understands that a difficult childhood prevented her from
developing some of the life skills she needed. “I couldn't communicate
before, even express that I was angry or discuss things,” she says. “The
mental health team talked to me and I learned so much — steps on
how to get angry, how to communicate. You don't know you are
missing these steps until someone points them out. I learned I don't
have to put a smile on my face all of the time and it’s okay to cry
sometimes.”
A team approachJen says she feels more whole as a person thanks to the help of Dr.
Bergman, behavioural health consultant Deborah McDougall, shared
mental health consultant Jean Leong and the rest of the team. Jen is
also more ready to accept help, such as efforts to bring specialists to the
Extended Team's Crowfoot clinic, where Jen felt more comfortable.
Jen's partner is also surprised how extensively the team has included
him in every step in her care. “I've been to a lot of the appointments.
I'm always invited,” he says. “They explain what is happening for Jen,
and that's good, because I really didn't know how bad it was. I don't
pressure her to go out and do something if she says she isn't feeling
well, because I understand now.”
The couple has grown closer through shared understanding. “Just the
fact that she is up and doing stuff is enough for me,” he says. “Before
Jen was taking the pain killers just to get through the day, but she'd be
knocked out and couldn't go anywhere because she was sleeping all
the time. I find she laughs more like she used to.”
While Jen still feels moderate pain throughout the day and occasional
bouts of intense pain, she feels better able to manage and is happier.
She is looking forward to further treatments, to feeling even better in
the future and getting back to the work she loves. “I know there is
hope now and I am looking forward with hope,” she says. “That's a
good place to be.”
“Just having someone I can call or turn to when I’m down and think I’ll never get out of the pain — and at the end of the line there’s someone so warm and open and willing to listen.”
cfpcn.ca 5
"A largerplate is a visual
cue to fill it up and then portion sizes
and calorie intake rise"
dinner plates are 10 to 12 inches in diameter, but it is easier to achieve
a healthy balanced plate if you replace them with 8 to 9 inch plates.
Remember those small plates that come with your dinner set? Those
may be closer to the size you need. “A larger plate is a visual cue to fill it
up and then portion sizes and calorie intake rise,” Andrea says.
The best way to ensure a good balance is to fill half of
your plate with vegetables of at least two kinds at
both lunch and dinner. Fill a quarter of your
plate with whole grains (potato, whole
wheat bread, brown rice) and the
remaining quarter with meat or meat
alternatives (lean meat, chicken
or lentils). Because vegetables
are low in calories — 1 cup of
broccoli yields only 31 calories
— they give you a big boost of
fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and
minerals, while keeping your
calorie intake down.
Andrea recommends you round
lunch and dinner off with a piece
of fruit and milk or a milk alternative,
such as yogurt. Or save the milk and
fruit for a snack in-between meals. The
aim is to eat three to four food groups —
vegetables and fruit, grain products, meat and
alternatives and milk and alternatives — at each
meal.
Eating too much meat, meat alternatives and grain products and
eating too few vegetables are the most common meal-time mistakes
that lead to unwanted weight gain, Andrea says. The Handy Portion
guide below illustrates an easy way to estimate healthy portion sizes.
“People most often struggle to accept the smaller portion sizes and the
need to add way more fruit and vegetables,” Andrea says. “But if you
A dietitian’s step-by-step guide to eating wellIT might be your favourite pair of jeans that suddenly feels tight or
a gnawing awareness your energy levels are low. For each of us, the
realization that our eating habits are spiraling out of control can come in
a myriad of ways.
Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network registered
dietitian Andrea Kroeker says these are perfect
moments to take stock and review the basics of
healthy eating. But first, a word of warning.
“It is important to take things slowly and
make small changes that gradually
move you in the right direction,”
Andrea says. “Small behaviour
change, rather than a diet or
radical action, helps you sustain a
healthy weight longer term.”
Get started withregular meals
Eating at least three well-spaced
meals a day is essential before you
can start worrying about portion
sizes or anything else. “It is ideal to
eat three meals a day with one to two
snacks in between if needed,” Andrea says.
“Regular meals help you control the size of
your portions and prevent overeating at your next
meal,” she says. Spacing meals a maximum of four to six
hours apart also helps you avoid dips in energy and the sluggish feeling
low blood sugars bring.
A healthy, balanced lunch and dinner plateOnce you are eating regular meals, it is time to take a good hard
look at your plate. Actually, take out your tape measure. Average
EatingWell
How to balance your diet
By Paula Beauchamp
6 CONNECTING CARE • WINTER 2014
calgarycoop.com/pharmacy
Thinking About Quitting Smoking?We can help you.
Our trained tobacco reduction pharmacists can help you quit or reduce the
number of cigarettes you smoke.
We work with you to develop a plan that works!
Get started today. No appointment necessary.
are eating a 9-ounce steak each night, don’t
suddenly switch it for a 3-ounce steak. Aim to
reduce the portion size gradually.”
A healthy breakfast and snacksWhat does a healthy, balanced breakfast
look like? A bowl of high fibre, low sugar cereal
with low-fat milk and fruit or two pieces of
whole grain toast with peanut butter and a
banana are great examples. Ideas for breakfast
include a quarter of a plate of grain products,
vegetables or fruit. For protein, add milk or
milk alternatives, yogurt, eggs, nut butters or
a serving of meat and alternatives. For snacks,
Andrea’s favourites include a cheese string with
an apple or yogurt and berries.
Take it slowlyTry to eat slowly. Take 20 minutes to eat each
meal so you have time to realize your stomach
is full. Eat protein and whole grains at each
meal to help your stomach feel full for longer.
“People are often surprised they don’t feel
hungry when they eat healthy, nutritious food,
when the portion sizes are smaller and they are
eating more frequently,” Andrea says.
To learn more about healthy eating, register
for a free Ask a Dietitian group appointment
by calling 403-284-3726 ext 206. You can ask
personal nutrition questions and book a one-on-
one follow-up appointment with a dietitian.
HANDY PORTION GUIDE: Canadian Diabetes AssociationYou can use your hands to estimate appropriate portions. When planning a meal, use the
following portion sizes as a guide:
ADD MORE VEGETABLES: Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network registered dietitian Kari Derbyshire discusses the keys to a healthy, balanced plate with patient John-David Malta.
cfpcn.ca 7
WHEN Linda Sayers began her search
for a family doctor, her son’s pediatrician
recommended she register on the Find a
Doctor website.
“I’ve never really had a family doctor,” says
Linda. “I’ve just gone to walk-in clinics.”
“It’s hard to find a family doctor in this city,
so I was thankful for the website. It was easy
to find and registering didn’t take long.”
The Find a Doctor registry is an online
service that connects residents of Calgary and
surrounding areas to a family doctor who is
accepting new patients.
Two months after completing the form
online, Linda was contacted by the Calgary
Foothills Primary Care Network and connected
with Dr. Branden Reid at the Foothills Primary
Care Centre.
“I was happy. I didn’t expect it to be that
quick,” she said.
“Dr. Reid is very thorough and on top of
things. He helped my family out a lot in a
short amount of time.”
Dr. Reid, who moved from Edmonton to
Calgary this year, says his roster of patients is
already close to full thanks in large part to the
website after 9 months.
“Many of my patients didn’t have a family
doctor before and they are very appreciative,”
he says.
“The site works very well and I am very
thankful.”
The Find a Doctor website was first
launched by the Calgary Foothills Primary
Care Network in 2009 to help people living in
north Calgary and Cochrane find a physician.
In 2011, it expanded to include people
and physicians throughout Calgary and
surrounding areas and before this past holiday
season, new features were added.
While people can still use the online
registration form as Linda did, would-be
patients can also take a more active role in
their search for a physician.
One of the new features, a map, lists all
Calgary and area physicians who are members
of a Primary Care Network. It highlights those
who are accepting new patients and provides
contact information.
While Linda was happy to wait two months
to be linked with Dr. Reid, the new resource
gives people the option of finding a physician
more quickly.
Those who register online can expect to
wait as little as a few weeks, or as long as
a few months, to hear back from a Primary
Care Network with an available physician’s
details.
Last year, 4,370 patients found a doctor at
Calgary Foothills PCN, one of seven PCNs in
the area, through the website.
Dr Linda Slocombe, medical director with
the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network,
urges people who do not have a family doctor
to register.
Research shows having a family doctor
and seeing him or her regularly keeps you
healthier as you age, helps you live longer
and can aid in catching illnesses before they
become serious.
If you need a family doctor, please go to
www.calgaryareadocs.com
NEW RESOURCE HELPS CALGARIANS FIND A FAMILY DOCTOR
“It’s hard to find a family doctor in this city, so I was thankful for the website. It was easy to find and registering didn’t take long.”
LINKED-IN: Patient Linda Sayers is enjoying continuity of care with her new doctor, Branden Reid.
By Kelly Parks
Pho
to: N
eil Z
elle
r Ph
oto
gra
ph
y
8 CONNECTING CARE • WINTER 2014
Ingredients2 lbs salmon fillets
Marinade:2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 cloves garlic crushed
1.5 tbsp grated ginger
Dash of pepper
SOY GINGER SALMON
DirectionsWhisk together all marinade ingredients and pour it into a large freezer bag. Add salmon fillets. Allow to sit
for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 F.
Arrange salmon fillets in a large baking dish, skin side down, and pour over marinade.
Bake time depends on salmon fillet thickness — about 10 minutes per inch or until the salmon flakes with a
fork.
Remove from oven and garnish with green onion. Serve with brown rice and sautéed or steamed vegetables
for a complete, balanced meal.
Tip: Try this recipe on the barbeque in the summer as well!
Recipe by Kari Derbyshire and Andrea Kroeker
Calgary Foothills PCN registered dietitians
Healthy Eating
cfpcn.ca 9
Andrea Kroeker, a registered dietitian with the Calgary
Foothills Primary Care Network, talks about flavour
ADD FLAVOUR WITHOUT FAT
Great news: good food can be easy to prepare. The key is finding healthy ways to creatively add flavour to the food you eat — so you don’t get tired of eating the same foods over and over again.
Garlic and onion are staples for adding flavour to food in many cultures, without adding salt or fat.
Others you can try:
Dry spices (curry, cumin, turmeric, oregano) Fresh spices (ginger) Fresh herbs (cilantro, Italian parsley, basil, dill) Juices (lemon juice, lime, orange juice) Chili flakes Pepper
Add dry spices such as curry to soups and fresh herbs to salads or other dishes.
Heart healthy oils, such as canola and olive, are great choices for cooking. Try adding other flavourful oils such as the sesame oil used in this soy ginger salmon recipe.
The ginger and green onions used here give the fish a wonderful south Asian flavor. Enjoy!
6
5
4
3
2
1
Why did you become a family doctor?
At school I loved biological science. It was the thing I was good at. I
was fascinated by spiders, dissecting worms. When I was introduced
to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection I was bowled
over by the beauty of it. It led me to decide that medical science was
the thing I wanted to do. My dad was an ophthalmic surgeon, so I
chose to specialize in surgery at first. But after 10 years, I was aware I
was missing out on the human side of people’s illnesses. I decided to
retrain. I spent three years training to become a family doctor, while
at the same time earning a living as a surgeon. Not many people
choose that path!
What do you enjoy most about being a family doctor?
I like being able to fix people. When you have a patient who is
worried about something, it is satisfying to figure out what is wrong
and to make it better, so they can go away with that worry lifted. It
is ideal if you can fix a person’s medical problem and make a good
connection as well.
What is the fun part of the job?
It’s the babies. I love babies. Seeing a healthy baby and watching that
person grow up is a delight. We’ve had lots of babies born in our
practice in recent years, mostly at Riley Park.
What is the most challenging part of being a family doctor?
It is trying to help people whose anxieties present as physical
symptoms. It is often difficult to reassure them that they don’t have a
physical disease. It can be a challenge to help these patients redirect
their energies towards dealing with their anxieties.
What do you do to unwind?
Gardening. In the summer, my wife (also a family doctor) and I grow
strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and flowers and try to turn our
garden into a little oasis. In the winter, it is renovating the basement.
It is relaxing because I’m using my hands, but I don’t use power
tools. All the nasty injuries we see (related to handy work) are from
amateurs using power tools. I also read a lot and listen to classical
music. Outside my family, sailing is my passion. During summer
holidays (over the past 19 years), I’ve sailed my boat down to Mexico
and across to Tahiti.
What are you looking forward to in your retirement?
My daughter is having a baby and I’m looking forward to being
a grandfather. We also plan to enjoy winters in Mexico. We have
a small house in a fishing village there where we grow papayas,
mangoes and bananas.
Dr. Imrana Muhammad has taken over the care of Dr. Burn’s patients.
10 CONNECTING CARE • WINTER 2014
ON A MISSION TO MAKE LIVES BETTER
Dr. Robert BurnsFROM surgical wards in England to famine-ravaged Ethiopia in the 1970s and a rural doctor’s practice in Hinton, Alberta, Dr. Robert Burns has enjoyed a varied life as a family doctor. For more than 19 years, he was a family doctor to patients at The Doctors Office in Nose Hill, Ranchlands. He retired in late 2014.
SANCTUARY: Dr. Burn loves gardening — it’s his favourite place to relax.
Pho
to: N
eil Z
elle
r Ph
oto
gra
ph
y
Face of a Doctor
cfpcn.ca 11
After Hours Clinic The Access 365 Clinic runs year-round. It offers after-hours appointments for non-emergency medical care. Access the clinic by calling Health Link Alberta at 403-943-5465.
Riley Park Maternity ClinicCare is available to low-risk pregnant women who do not have a family doctor or by referral from a family doctor. Patients must plan to deliver at Foothills Medical Centre.
Ask A DietitianMeet with a registered dietitian in a small group to learn nutrition basics such as Canada’s Food Guide, how to read labels and more.
Craving ChangeMost people know what they should eat, but struggle to control what they actually do eat. This series of four classes covers the relationship between food-related thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and offers empowering strategies to support change.
Happiness BasicsThis series of seven classes is for adults who want to learn how to be happier. Participants learn and practice simple, positive and empowering skills. Not suitable for anyone with severe depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or in crisis.
Walking Programs Join a peer-lead walking group weekday mornings in North Hill Mall or at Confederation Park in the summer. For Cochrane walking groups located at Mitford Park, call 403-851-2534.
TrymGymThis eight-week program offered by University of Calgary teaches participants to lose weight safely and keep unwanted pounds off for good. Bi-weekly classes include exercise, nutrition education and behaviour change strategies. Calgary Foothills PCN patients receive a $200 discount; call 403-220-4374.
Tobacco CessationThis four-week group program is for patients who smoke and are considering quitting. Ask your doctor for a referral.
Find A Doctor websiteNeed a family doctor?Register at www.calgaryareadocs.com or call Health Link Alberta at 403-943-5465.
Extended TeamThe Extended Team provides care for patients with complex, chronic diseases who are referred by member physicians. Areas of experience include chronic pain, mental health, gastrointestinal and medical musculoskeletal conditions. Help is also available for older adults.
Clinics and Services
ProgramsPatients of Calgary Foothills PCN member doctors can register for the following free programs by calling 587-774-9736.
Calgary Foothills PCN
Programs & Clinics
12 CONNECTING CARE • WINTER 2014
ABC 83202 Calgary CONNECTING CARE - FULL COLOUR - Full Back page - 7.25”x9.75” RUN JANUARY 2015
www.ab.bluecross.ca
ABC
832
02 2
014/
10
If you’re without employer-sponsored health benefits, contact us today for your
free information package. Calgary 403-294-4032
Toll-free 1-800-394-1965
The protection your family needs, the peace of mind you deserve.
standard benefits prescription drugs • dental extended health benefits vision care • ambulance
new benefitstravel • massage • naturopathy
acupuncture • hospital cash and much moreBlue Choice
includes
If you’re age 65 or over, ask us about our
affordable Seniors Plus
plans.
Our staff is certified to provide consultations and professional fittings.
Post Surgical NeedsCompression Garments
Drain Containment Camisoles
Lymphedema SupportSleevesGloves
Donning AidsMedical Compression Stockings
Mastectomy Needs Breast Forms
Sports Solutions
Sports Injury RecoveryCompression Garments
Braces (ankle, knee, etc.)Hernia Supports
Air Casts
Alberta Aids to Daily Living vendor
Two Calgary locations to serve you.9309 Macleod Trail SW 403-252-22664938 Richmond Road SW 403-299-4488
calgarycoop.com/home_health
Products and exceptional service for better health and healing.