Connecting Care - Spring 2013

Connecting

Volume 5, NO. 1 2013

Your Medical Home Make the most of your health team Preparing for Pregnancy Start your pregnancy off on the right foot

your health. your team.

Sticking to an exercise plan Tips for staying motivated year round

copy e e r f this !

Take h you t i w home

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2 Connecting Care

Contents

4

Medical director’s message

5

Your medical home

6

Preparing for pregnancy

8

Diabetes myths

9 Shining a light on SAD

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9

11 Alzheimer’s: know the warning

signs 12 Sticking to an exercise plan 13 Walk with a Doc 14 Calgary Foothills PCN Clinics 15 Calgary Foothills PCN Programs

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11 Connecting Care 3

Medical director’s message It is my pleasure to welcome you to our PCN magazine, Connecting Care. Primary Care Networks are changing the way family doctors relate to each other and the government, but more importantly we are enhancing the treatment programs we can offer you, our patients. The articles in this magazine are designed to highlight services available to you and your family. New initiatives are constantly being developed which will be showcased in upcoming editions of Connecting Care. Please enjoy, and feel free to take a copy home with you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bill Hall Medical Director Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network

Background Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) is an arrangement between a group of family physicians and Alberta Health Services - Calgary to provide primary care services to patients living in north Calgary and Cochrane. Created in 2006 as part of the Primary Care Initiative of Alberta, the Calgary Foothills PCN’s mission is to enhance access and coordination of primary care for patients while improving the quality of professional life for community family physicians and allied health care professionals.

Primary Care is the care patients receive at their first point of contact with the health care system, usually provided by family physicians or allied health care providers. Patients receive care for their everyday health needs, including health promotion and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health conditions.

Connecting Care is a PCN publication aimed at educating patients of member physicians on new programs and initiatives available to them and their family.

Published for CFPCN by:

500, 1716 - 16th Avenue NW Calgary, AB T2M 0L7 Phone: 403.284.FPCN (3726) Fax: 403.284.9518 info@cfpcn.ca www.cfpcn.ca 4 Connecting Care

Calgary, Alberta Tel: 403.287.9818 ads@paragonpublish.com www.paragonpublish.com

Editor Stephanie Baker Communications Coordinator Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network Art Director Richart Bocxe Publisher Jim Thornton

Connecting Care Magazine is published three times per year in January, May and September, and is made available free of charge to the 333,000+ North Calgary and Cochrane patients of 326 PCN family physicians at 86 clinics in 54 communities.

The e-magazine version is available at www.cfpn.ca and by free subscription at connectingcare@paragonpublish.com All rights reserved ©2013. Printed in Canada. Member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Your medical home is part of a Primary Care Network

What is primary care?

Your family doctor’s office, also known as your medical home, is where you can go for day-today health needs such as regular check-ups, counseling and illness prevention. This basic care is called primary care.

What is a primary care network?

Your family doctor and medical home belong to the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN). In a primary care network, family doctors work with Alberta Health Services and other health departments to provide healthcare services for patients.

Calgary Foothills PCN serves patients in north Calgary and Cochrane. The other three PCNs in Calgary are Mosaic PCN (northeast Calgary), West Central PCN (downtown and

southwest communities), and South Calgary PCN (south of Anderson road). Each PCN has the ability and flexibility to develop programs and services that meet the specific needs of their member physicians and patients.

Do I have access to other health professionals through the primary care network?

Ninety-nine per cent of family doctors who belong to the Calgary Foothills PCN work with a variety of health professionals such as diabetes educators, health management nurses, clinical pharmacists, registered dietitians, behavioural health consultants, and certified respiratory educators. As part of your medical home, these health professionals work alongside your family doctor to help you manage

your health, free of charge. Talk to your family doctor or clinic staff to find out which team members are available to you.

What other programs do I have access to?

You can also benefit from a number of different Calgary Foothills PCN programs. For example, our After Hours Clinic provides evening and weekend medical care for Calgary Foothills PCN patients. You can also access a variety of health promotion and education programs including the Walking, Tobacco Cessation and Ask a Dietitian programs.

For more information on these resources, visit www.cfpcn.ca or turn to page 14. For more information on primary care networks in Alberta, visit www.albertapci.ca. q Connecting Care 5

Preparing for pregnancy P

lanning for a new baby is an exciting time for parents-to-be. Picking names, decorating the nursery, and buying baby items are all part of the fun. However, even before a pregnancy develops, there are steps that should be taken to make sure your pregnancy starts on the right foot. Connecting Care has several health tips for women who are thinking about becoming pregnant.

6 Connecting Care

See your doctor Discuss your plans to get pregnant with your family doctor. Your doctor can help you understand your fertility cycles, and will ensure there are no issues that could complicate pregnancy. Making sure you’re healthy, verifying that your vaccinations are up to date, reviewing your medicines, and managing chronic conditions are important steps to take before conceiving.

Make lifestyle changes If you aren’t already doing so, start taking a prenatal vitamin and make sure you are getting at least 0.4 mg of folic acid every day. Folic acid is very important in the beginning stages of a pregnancy because it helps prevent neural tube defects.

In addition to taking prenatal vitamins, it’s important to eat healthy meals and stay in shape. Being fit and keeping yourself at an ideal weight can make pregnancy less strenuous on your body and easier to get back in shape after your baby is born. A healthy exercise program includes 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise (such as walking, cycling or weight training) at least four days a week. If you have not been active lately, ease into a physical activity routine by starting with something safe and easy, like a short walk at a moderate pace, and then gradually increase your activity level.

You can also improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy by removing smoking and alcohol from your lifestyle. Many women don’t realize they are pregnant until several weeks into their pregnancy, so it is wise to stop smoking and drinking before you try to conceive. Too much caffeine is also not healthy during pregnancy, so try to limit your caffeine intake to about one mug of regular brewed coffee a day.

Prepare mentally and emotionally Preparing for a pregnancy and a new baby isn’t just about physical changes. The challenges and stresses involved with pregnancy and a newborn can take a toll on your mental health and relationships. Talking about your worries, frustrations, and feelings with your partner and other loved ones can help you cope emotionally. Dr. Bhatla, a physician at Riley Park Maternity Clinic, advises mothers-to-be who are taking medication for depression and other mental illnesses not to stop their medication without first seeking advice from a family physician.

“Depression relapse can lead to serious illnesses,” explains Dr. Bhatla. “Your physician can advise you based on the risks of taking or stopping medication during a pregnancy.” Dr. Bhatla also has wise words for everyone who wants to start a family. “It’s very important to be kind to yourself, and to acknowledge that there is no such thing as perfect parenting.” If you are feeling overwhelmed, make sure you ask for help. Your doctor or another health care provider in your medical home can provide support.

You could be featured in Connecting Care Have you had a positive experience with your family doctor or health team?

Have you accessed one or more of the following services?

• After Hours Clinic • Pain Management Clinic • Tobacco Cessation class • Ask a Dietitian class • Walking program • Need a Doctor website

We’d like to hear from you.

Contact us at: info@cfpcn.ca 403-284-3726 ext 223

Free Online Connecting Care Subscription Read Connecting Care Magazine on your iPad, smartphone, laptop or home computer! Keep vital heath care contact information handy.

Send an email titled “Connecting Care Subscription” to connectingcare@paragonpublish.com You will receive each new electronic issue of Connecting Care with exactly the same content as the hardcopy version.

Riley Park Maternity Clinic can care for you and your baby during and after your pregnancy. Ask your doctor about a referral to the clinic. If you do not have a family doctor, you can self-refer to the clinic by calling 403-284-3711. Turn to page 14 or visit www.rileyparkmaternityclinic.ca for more information. q Connecting Care 7

Diabetes myths N

inety per cent of Canadians with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood glucose levels, or the body doesn’t use the insulin effectively. Connecting Care sat down with Jocelyne Duerksen, a diabetes educator and health management nurse with the Calgary Foothills PCN, to talk about some common misconceptions about type 2 diabetes.

Myth 1: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes Truth: Type 2 diabetes is a genetic disease, but a high fat, low fibre diet with many refined carbohydrates (sugar) and a lack of exercise leading to weight gain can also contribute to developing diabetes.

Myth 2: Only adults get type 2 diabetes Truth: Type 2 diabetes used to be referred to as ‘adultonset’ diabetes. However, it is becoming increasingly common amongst children and adolescents, likely due to poor diet and inactive lifestyles. The best way to prevent diabetes in children is to encourage them to eat a healthy diet and be physically active.

Myth 3: Having diabetes means I can’t eat any sugary foods Truth: People with diabetes should follow Canada’s Food Guide and eat a healthy diet, just like everyone else. If your blood glucose is well managed, up to 10 per cent of your daily calories can be from added sugars. A Calgary Foothills PCN dietitian or another health team member can help you learn how to fit sugar into your diet safely.

Myth 4: People can have ‘mild’ or ‘borderline diabetes’ Truth: There is no such thing as having a ‘touch of diabetes.’

You either have diabetes or you don’t. To confirm whether you have diabetes, any of the following tests must be done: • Fasting blood sugar level — diabetes is diagnosed if it is over seven millimoles per liter (mmol/L)* • Random blood glucose test — diabetes is diagnosed if the glucose reading is over 11.1 mmol/L* • Hemoglobin A1C test — diabetes is diagnosed if the reading is 6.5 per cent or higher* * In order to confirm diagnosis, any one of the above tests will be completed a second time on a separate day from the first test.

Pre-diabetes refers to blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be considered 8 Connecting Care

as type 2. People with pre-diabetes — according to the Canadian Diabetes Association — can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes through healthy lifestyle changes including losing weight, eating a healthy diet and taking medications.

Myth 5: If a person needs insulin, then their diabetes must be serious Truth: For some people, maintaining a good diet and exercising regularly isn’t enough to keep blood glucose under control. If you and your doctor decide that insulin is necessary, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Insulin is an effective tool that will help manage diabetes.

Myth 6: People with diabetes will go blind, need an amputation or require kidney dialysis Truth: Unfortunately, some people do experience these complications. However, in many cases, complications can be avoided by maintaining your blood glucose as instructed by your health care provider, leading a healthy lifestyle and getting regular medical checkups. The health team in your medical home can help you to manage all aspects of your health and avoid complications associated with diabetes.

Diabetes is not curable, so it is important to take control of your health while you can – before diabetes develops.

However, if you have diabetes, you can still have a long, enjoyable life by managing your insulin effectively.

If you would like to be tested for diabetes or need help managing your diabetes, talk to your family doctor or another health team member in your medical home. q

Shining a light on Seasonal Affective Disorder W

inter in Calgary can sometimes leave us feeling a bit dreary. The short daylight hours can affect our mood and tempt us to retreat into the coziness of our homes with a good book or board game. However, people with a mental health condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are impacted far beyond the regular winter blahs.

People who have SAD experience symptoms of depression during the winter season. The shorter daylight hours in the winter months prevent the brain from regulating hormones such as melatonin and serotonin. Too much or too little of these hormones disrupt our normal circadian rhythm (the ‘internal clock’ that guides our sleep, waking and general day-to-day activities). In turn, this causes depression symptoms that interfere with our ability to function normally and keep up with everyday life, work and relationships. The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that one to three per cent of the population has SAD. Up to another 15 per cent have a milder form of SAD, but are able to manage without medication or therapy.

Despite the similarities to other types of depression, the distinguishing feature of SAD is the time of year that a person feels depressed. For instance, if someone experiences the same depressive symptoms for two consecutive winters (starting in the fall or early winter and improving in the springtime) without any other cause or explanation, they may have SAD. Other depression symptoms associated with SAD can include: • decreased mood • change (usually an increase) in appetite and craving carbs • weight gain • fatigue • oversleeping • irritability • social withdrawal • lack of enjoyment in normally pleasurable activities • anxiety and hopelessness Dr. Jablonski, a family physician with the Calgary Foothills PCN and advocate of SAD awareness, suggests that a combination of different therapies is best for successfully managing SAD. SAD LAMP is an easy-to-remember acronym that stands for the various types of therapies.

Schedule and start therapies before winter S

arrives.

AD Anti-Depressant medication for moderate to severe depression.

L Light therapy — 30 minutes of exposure, in the early morning, from a light therapy box. A light therapy box produces artificial light that works to alleviate SAD symptoms.

Lifestyle changes such as eating well, exercising regularly and participating in enjoyable activities can also help.

AM Alternative Medication such as Vitamin D and Omega-3 oil, which is especially important for people living in northern latitudes.

P Psychologist or behavioural health consultant who can provide cognitive behavioural therapy or professional “talk therapy” meetings.

If you think you are experiencing any symptoms of depression, it is important to talk to your family doctor.

Many Calgary Foothills PCN clinics have a behavioural health consultant (BHC) who is available to discuss your mental health and provide support. For more information about resources available to you, talk to your family doctor or visit www.cfpcn.ca. q Connecting Care 9

10 Connecting Care

Alzheimer’s: know the warning signs A

lzheimer’s disease, or related dementia, affects over 700,000 Canadians – and statisticians predict this number will double within the next 20 years. The current annual costs for Alzheimer’s-related care is $33 billion, but the Alzheimer Society of Canada expects this number will increase to $293 billion by the year 2040. It’s important for people to understand what Alzheimer’s disease is, how to recognize it, and when to seek medical help.

Alzheimer’s is not a normal aspect of aging. It is a disease that gradually deteriorates the brain, affecting people’s memory, personality, mood and ability to function. There is no cure, but researchers are trying to determine what causes Alzheimer’s disease and how its degenerative effects can be slowed down.

Although the exact cause of Alzheimer’s has not been identified, there are associated risk factors. The most important risk factor is age – the older a person is, the more likely they are to develop Alzheimer’s. Genetics are another risk factor, as there are specific genes associated with inherited forms of Alzheimer’s. However, simply aging or having specific genes does not guarantee a person will develop the disease. More risk factors are current-

ly being researched, including alcohol and tobacco use, diet, exercise and general environmental factors.

talk to someone close to the patient to see if there are any changes they’ve noticed.”

The Alzheimer Society has outlined 10 warning signs to look for:

Since some people who are experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s may feel ashamed, it’s important for family and friends to keep a keen eye on their behaviour. “In a lot of cases, the person is trying to hide the fact that they are deteriorating, or one spouse will cover for the other,” Hiebert explains. “This is unfortunate because the earlier we can intervene and get them support, the easier it will be for them to function.”

1. Memory loss that affects day-today functioning 2. Difficulty performing simple, everyday tasks 3. Language and communication problems 4. Disorientation — not knowing the time and place 5. Poor judgement 6. Difficulties with abstract thinking 7. Misplacing things 8. Changes in mood and behaviour 9. Changes in personality 10. Loss of initiative

Calgary Foothills PCN’s Navigation Team visits at-risk patients in their homes to assess how they are functioning and if Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are present.

Jenny Hiebert, a registered nurse with the Navigation Team, says that family and close friends are usually the first to notice there may be a problem. “The patient’s family generally knows best what is normal and what’s unusual when it comes to their relatives’ every day behaviours,” says Hiebert. “If possible, we try to get permission to

The Navigation Team can help people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s access support. They can also connect patients to community programs and resources that can assist them in dealing and living with the disease.

Hiebert says there are a number of support services available in Calgary for people with Alzheimer’s and for their caregivers. “The Family Caregiver Centre is a resource we consistently direct people to. They can provide the education and emotional support to help cope with dementia.”

If you think you or a family member may benefit from a home assessment visit from the Navigation Team, talk to your family doctor or another member of your clinic’s health team.q

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Sticking to an exercise plan F

or some of us, the primary barrier to a healthy lifestyle is starting and maintaining a fitness routine. Unfortunately, this means we lose out on health benefits such as prevention of high blood pressure and diabetes. Exercise also benefits our mental health by helping us cope with stress, depression and anxiety. To reap these health benefits, here are several tips to help you find the motivation to start and keep exercising.

Setting SMART goals for an exercise plan Starting a fitness routine can seem a little daunting, especially if your overall goal is ambitious. But you can make it more motivating and less daunting if you use SMART goals — a free goal setting and tracking tool.

SMART goals divide your overall objective into smaller, easier parts. They are also more specific than normal goals. Here is an example:

Normal goal: My goal is to lose weight.

SMART goal: My goal is to lose 10 pounds by May 15, 2013. I will run for 30 minutes on the treadmill three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).

For more information on SMART goals or to access the tool yourself, go to www.101-smart-goals.com. Your health team can also help you set these goals.

Finding the motivation to start exercising It’s helpful to find your motivation by thinking about why you want to exercise, and what exercises you find enjoyable. Or you can combine an enjoyable activity with exercise. For 12 Connecting Care

example, you could run on a treadmill while watching your favorite show, or listen to music while jogging. Either way, adding an enjoyable element to a fitness routine will motivate you.

Continuing an exercise plan over the long-term Some people stop exercising once they reach their main goal. For example, say your motivation for exercising was to lose weight for your wedding. But once the wedding is over, that motivation disappears. To prevent this, and to make sure your hard work doesn’t go to waste, it’s important to change your motivation as you achieve your goals.

Celebrating your Achievements However, try not to focus so intently on achieving your goals that you forget to reward yourself. By celebrating your achievements, you allow yourself to acknowledge that your hard efforts are paying off. When planning your goals, think about how you want to celebrate when you achieve them, such as buying new clothes or going to the theatre.

For more information about how you can benefit from exercise, talk to your family doctor. If you would like to learn about physical activity sessions or other health education programs, visit www.cfpcn.ca q

New Walk with a Doc program gains momentum C

algary Foothills PCN is introducing a new program called Walk with a Doc to encourage people to be more physically active. The program, while new in Calgary, began as the brainchild of Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Delaware who had spent years encouraging his patients to be more physically active.

When he didn’t see the changes he was hoping for, he decided to set an example and “walk the walk.”

Dr. Sabgir told every patient he saw that he would be at a local park the following weekend if they wished to join him for a walk. That weekend he arrived expecting a handful of patients at most, but he was shocked when over 100 people turned up.

That day, he realized he had stumbled upon a great opportunity. Since the program’s inception, it has gained momentum with walk sites across several US states and into Canada.

Now, Calgary Foothills PCN is introducing the program here in Calgary. Approximately twice a month, participants can walk with a Calgary Foothills PCN physician at a scheduled time and place. Each walking session features a brief talk from the guest physician on a relevant health topic, and participants have an opportunity to talk one-on-one with the physician throughout the walk.

“Walk with a Doc offers a supportive, social environment where you can make new friends, learn something relevant to your health, and have fun while being active,” says Sandi Gowriluk, program coordinator for Walk with a Doc. “The program provides a unique opportunity to

speak candidly with a physician in an informal, casual setting.”

Call 403-284-3726 for information on upcoming Walk with a Doc

sessions or visit www.cfpcn.ca.

Calgary Foothills PCN also has a regular Walking Program with indoor and outdoor locations. Turn to page 15 for more information. q

Medication Reviews Book a Medication Review if you:

A Medication Review will help you:

• are on several chronic medications.

• understand the medications you are taking and why.

• have recently had changes to your medications.

• are planning to be admitted or have been recently discharged from the hospital.

• have transferred your prescriptions to a new pharmacy.

• have questions, concerns or difficulties with your medications.

• ensure you are taking your medications as prescribed.

• identify and solve any medication-related problems.

• create a best personal medication record that can be shared with any healthcare provider.

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Calgary Foothills PCN Clinics After Hours Care Clinic The After Hours Care Clinic is designed to provide on-call coverage for physicians after office hours, and is available to anyone living in north Calgary or Cochrane.

Clinic Information

Contact Information

If your family physician is a member of the Calgary Foothills PCN, or if you do not have a family physician but live in north Calgary or Cochrane, you can make an appointment with the After Hours Clinic if you have a medical emergency after regular office hours.

Available by appointment only. Call HealthLink Alberta at 403.943.5465

Follow-up appointments are done with the patient’s family doctor. For patients without a family doctor, follow-up appointments take place at the Crowfoot Primary Care Centre.

Weeknights: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Weekends & Holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Crowfoot Primary Care Centre The Crowfoot Primary Care Centre is an interdisciplinary clinic designed to treat patients without a family doctor who have a chronic disease and live in north Calgary or Cochrane.

Clinic Information

Contact Information

Patients without a family doctor are accepted through a referral to the Centre, including self referral, emergency room, urgent care, home care, out-patient clinics, the PCN After Hours Clinic or Riley Park Maternity Clinic. The clinic also links patients who do not have a family doctor with a doctor starting a new practice. If you don’t have a family doctor, register online at www.needadoctorcalgaryandarea.ca or call Health Link Alberta at 403.943.5465.

Crowfoot Primary Care Centre 201, 60 Crowfoot Crescent NW 403.374.0244

Pain Management Clinic The Pain Management Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic treating patients with non-complex chronic pain.

Clinic Information

Contact Information

Patients with non-complex chronic pain are referred to the Pain Management Clinic by their family doctor. Patients meet with a team of health care professionals who help them learn to manage their pain on a daily basis.

Pain Management Clinic 201, 60 Crowfoot Crescent NW 403.374.0244

Riley Park Maternity Clinic Riley Park Maternity Clinic strives to improve links in services between PCN physicians and Alberta Health Services - Calgary for the prenatal and postnatal care of patients with or without a family doctor. The clinic is comprised of four maternity clinics working together to care for maternity patients who will deliver at Foothills Medical Centre.

Clinic Information

Contact Information

Patients are often referred by their family doctor. Patients without a family doctor are encouraged to self-refer to the clinic.

Riley Park Maternity Clinic 130, 1402 8 Avenue NW 403.284.3711

14 Connecting Care

Calgary Foothills PCN Programs Chronic Disease Management

Population Health (continued)

Chronic Disease Management provides care to patients with chronic diseases (diabetes, dyslipidemia, congestive heart failure, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Walking Program Peer led programs based in Calgary and Cochrane to promote healthy lifestyles and active living within a safe and social environment.

Health Teams Health teams are groups of health professionals who work with you and your family doctor to manage your health. Each team is unique and may include any combination of professionals such as health management nurses, pharmacists, behavioural health consultants, respiratory educators, dietitians, diabetes educators and others. For more information about your team, talk to your family doctor.

Calgary Walking Program Calgary participants walk during weekday mornings in North Hill Mall year round, and in Confederation Park during summer months. New: Walk with a Doc promotes regular physical activity by offering group walks with a family doctor. Call 403.284.3726 for more information or to register

Cochrane Walking Program Cochrane participants walk on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at Mitford park year round. Contact the Town of Cochrane at 403.851.2534 to register

Living Well An Alberta Health Services support program providing education and peer led support for individuals with chronic disease or long term illnesses. Calgary Foothills PCN partners with Living Well to increase the number of available sites for courses to run in north Calgary.

To register, call 9-HEALTH

Seniors Health Provides comprehensive care to seniors and improves standards and transfer of care in long-term care facilities.

Nurse Practitioner in Bethany Care Society Calgary Foothills PCN has a nurse practitioner working in Bethany Care Society, a long-term care facility in Cochrane. The nurse practitioner assists the family physician to care for residents by providing direct patient care, communication and educational activities.

Navigation Team The Navigation team is comprised of health professionals whose goal is to support PCN physicians in caring for frail patients with complex health care needs. The team provides assessments and resources for patients with dementia, cognitive impairment, risk of falling and those coping with life transitions. Patients access the team through referral from their family physician.

Population Health The Population Health program enables family physicians to effectively identify and address the health needs of their communities. Population Health focuses specifically on health promotion, prevention of injury and illness, and improvement of screening rates.

Ask a Dietitian This group appointment allows you to meet with a registered dietitian who will address your personal nutrition questions.

The appointment is free to patients of PCN member physicians.

To register, call 403.284.3726

TrymGym A program run through the University of Calgary, TrymGym offers an opportunity for participants to meet with a personal trainer and dietitian to help achieve their fitness goals. Patients of member physicians receive a subsidy to offset the cost when they enrol.

To register, call 403.220.4374 Tobacco Cessation The program combines educational information and information on medications to aid in quitting. Group sessions consist of four classes, one week apart. Classes now available in Cantonese.

Interested individuals should discuss enrollment with their family physician.

Need-a-Doctor Website The Need-a-Doctor website is available for people living in Calgary and surrounding area who do not have a family doctor. Registrants will be contacted when a doctor becomes available. To fill out the form, go to www.needadoctorcalgaryandarea.ca or call Health Link Alberta at 403.943.5465

Mental Health Behavioural health consultants have a variety of backgrounds including nursing, social work and psychology; in addition, they are trained to help individuals address mental health and lifestyle issues affecting their health.

Addictions Support Group A free and anonymous open support group for anyone dealing with addiction. No registration is required – simply drop by.

Dates: Second Wednesday of each month Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Location: Suite 130 – 1402 8 Avenue NW For more information, call 403.284.3726

Connecting Care 15

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