Healthier You Summer 2015

Healthier You Summer

2015

T h e Pa re n ti n g is su e

YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS A mother’s story

childhood fever:

The cold facts Are you stifling your kids’ play?

protect

my son

SCHOOL LUNCHES MADE EASY

CKNW News reporter – and new parent – Shane Woodford’s plea to parents on behalf of his son, Henrik

Spotting back-toschool ANXIETY

Parenting

Vaccinate your child

8

ways to help your parents age well – p. 12

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The parenting issue

Summer

Volume 1, Issue 2

2015

Taking a stand on immunization

coverstory

6

p.

7 road safety tips

CKNW news reporter Shane Woodford writes about how the birth of his son Henrik changed his perspective on parents’ roles in vaccinating their children.

Endless, safe fun this summer.

By Tobie Patterson p.26

By Shane Woodford

inside What if no one likes me, mom? �������������� Page 10

cold facts on childhood fever ������ Page 22

How to recognize back-to-school anxiety and what to do about it.

By Ritu Guglani

Here’s what to look for so you can stay calm and help your child feel better.

By Dr. Kim Veldhuis

Rachel’s Journey ��������������������������������������������� Page 16

Take a chance on play ���������������������������� Page 24

How do you parent a child with a mental illness when you don’t know how to help?

By Cyndi R.

Are you stifling your child’s imagination by being too protective?

By Kate Turcotte

The Daycare Dilemma ������������������������������������ Page 20

Share the wealth ��������������������������������������� Page 30

How to choose the best setting for your child.

By Annette Dellinger

Coaching Mom & Dad Help your parents thrive in their senior years by acting on these 8 requirements for a healthy old age. p.12

Human milk is a valuable resource that’s in short supply.

Can you help?

By Sidney Harper p.28

School lunches made easy Win the daily battle with these simple and nutritious kid-approved ideas.

By Tasleem Juma

By Dr. Grace Park

summer 2015

Healthier You

3

CEOmessage

Fraser Health wishes you better health

Healthier You Volume 1, Issue 2

published by:

Thank you for your encouraging feedback on Fraser Health’s first issue of Healthier You magazine. We heard how much you enjoyed reading it and sharing it with your friends and family.

I know you will find this issue equally interesting.

By Michael Marchbank, President and CEO Fraser Health

Where can you find Healthier You?

“In doctors’ offices, walk-in clinics, pharmacies and other community settings, we will be waiting there too – keeping you company, and sharing stories and insight into health-related issues that matter to you.”

In this issue, we look at ways to improve health through the lens of ‘parenting’ – how parents can influence their children’s health, and vice versa. In our cover story, Shane Woodford, a news reporter with CKNW radio and a new parent, pleads with all parents to take immunizing their kids seriously. Other parents share stories of how they support their kids’ mental and emotional health.

Copyright ©2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Fraser Health

Editors / Tasleem Juma, Bonnie Irving Content Advisors / Samantha Tong– Population and Public Health

Contributors / Stephanie Bale, Annette Dellinger, Helen Edwards, Ritu Guglani, Sidney Harper, Kevin Hill, Nicole Marshall, Kate Nolan, Parachute, Dr. Grace Park, Tobie Patterson, Cyndi R., Kate Turcotte, Dr. Kim Veldhuis, Jane Wark (Fraser Health dietitians), Diane Wild, Shane Woodford

As a parent myself, I can’t help but reflect on the full circle I’ve traveled. In life and in parenting, we never stop learning and hopefully improving. The same is true in health care. Each day we recommit ourselves to being, and doing, better for our patients, clients and residents. We can achieve our vision of “Better Health.

Best in Health care.” by building healthy communities across the region. These are the foundation of good health and a sustainable health system. Through partnerships and collaboration, we can ensure people are able to live longer and healthier, and remain socially connected in their communities for as long as possible.

Glacier Media Group

Happy reading.

summer 2015

PUBLISHED BY FRASER HEALTH & GLACIER MEDIA

You’ll also find quick tips on feeding your children healthy and easy-to-make lunches (School Lunches Made Easy, page 28), picking the right daycare (The Daycare Dilemma, page 20), and learning to cope with childhood fevers (The Cold Facts on Fever, page 22).

Enjoy our Summer issue and look for the next one this Fall. Our editorial team always welcomes your thoughts and comments, so feel free to send them to feedback@fraserhealth.ca.

4 Healthier You

www.glaciermedia.ca

Sales & Marketing Kevin Dergez Director of Special Projects kdergez@glaciermedia.ca Ellyn Schriber Newsmedia Features Manager BC eschriber@glaciermedia.ca

Creative Director / Eric Pinfold

Advertisements in this magazine are coordinated by Glacier Media.

Fraser Health does not endorse products or services. Any errors, omissions or opinions found in this magazine should not be attributed to the publisher. The authors, the publisher and the collaborating organizations will not assume any responsibility for commercial loss due to business decisions made based on the information contained in this magazine. Speak with your doctor before acting on any health information contained in this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without crediting Fraser Health and Glacier Media. Printed in Canada. Please recycle.

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coverstory

Taking a stand on

immunization Parents who think their decision not to vaccinate their kids is okay with the rest of us, take note. It’s not.

By Shane Woodford

photo:

Kevin Hill

Six months ago, my world changed when I held my son, Henrik, for the first time.

Readers who are parents know what I mean.

N

ot only did my personal world change, but his birth also changed my world view.

Here’s what I mean.

Covering a news story as it unfolds is an adrenalineproducing experience for me. Tracking down the facts, following up leads and reporting an ongoing story accurately – all on the tight deadline CKNW News imposes – can be a tough way to earn a living. I love the work and most often I can cover a story with the objectivity the public expects of a news reporter.

But now that I have a son, I find objectivity more challenging when I cover certain stories.

Take the recent measles outbreak caused by unvaccinated Burnaby students who returned to Vancouver aboard Air China following a trip to Beijing. I’ve covered similar stories in the past and just took it for granted that that there was no right or wrong in such a situation. I assumed it was a parent’s right to vaccinate their child – or not.

Now that I’m a dad, I have a different perspective.

Now it’s my child who’s out there in the world exposed to others who may not take careful steps to prevent harmful diseases from spreading.

This issue of parents and their decision about vaccinating their kids is complicated. Some see it as a right to decide either way based on a religious belief or some ill-informed opinion about vaccine safety. Others just fail to ensure their kids’ vaccinations are up to date.

I don’t know what happened in the Burnaby students’ case. But I can’t help but ask, ‘Where is those parents’ accountability to society?’

Surely school protocol requires parents to verify their child’s immunization records before students depart on an overseas field trip? Did these parents report that their children were protected by vaccination? If so, clearly they were not diligent at ensuring all the vaccinations were up to date. Did they consciously choose the no-vaccination route? Or did they

just think it didn’t matter?

Well, it does matter. As the disease spiraled through the community, clearly others were being affected.

As news coverage of this situation mounted, I began to sense that the laissez-faire attitude society has apparently had to vaccinations was starting to shift. Parents were starting to realize that when some parents don’t immunize their kids, they’re putting not only their own kids at risk, but others’ as well.

We live in a so-called ‘information age’ and sometimes we suffer from information overload. In the news business, we aim to get out information based on truth. Let people make their own informed choices. But the web facilitates the spread of crazy ideas that have no merit. What happens to ‘informed choice’ when these fear mongers question vaccine safety, despite all evidence to the contrary, and plant the seeds of doubt in parents worried about their children?

There’s nothing to stop them from spreading this nonsense.

I find that troubling.

Then you have pockets of parents and communities here in BC who don’t immunize their kids for religious reasons.

Should that be acceptable?

In other cases, basic inattention is the reason shots aren’t up to date. I understand that parents are busy with life and that sometimes their child’s immunizations fall behind. But outbreaks of diseases like measles and whooping cough are occurring more often. I had whooping cough as a child. My earliest memory is of being in an oxygen tent and seeing my parents walk in with balloons to celebrate my second birthday.

Whooping cough and measles are diseases we’ve basically had under control for decades. All it takes is for one infectious case to spread and we’re facing an outbreak among people whose vaccinations either never occurred in the first place or are not up to date.

As a dad now, I hope these recent outbreaks will motivate other parents who don’t think they need to vaccinate their kids to think twice and protect their children. And mine.

Thankfully, most parents do their part to be informed by the evidence and do immunize their kids. In BC around twothirds of children are immunized. The higher that number, the more we boost something called ‘herd immunity’. What’s that? It describes a situation in which a large portion of the population becomes immune to an infection, which in turn helps to protect those who aren’t immune.

summer 2015

Healthier You

7

The family unit: Catherine, Henrik and Shane.

“I hope recent outbreaks will motivate other parents who don’t think they need to vaccinate their kids to think twice and protect their children. And mine.”

– Shane Woodford

Herd immunity is a good thing and we need to strive for more. I’ve covered heart-wrenching stories and interviewed parents whose child is battling an awful health issue. Then I learn that their child can’t be immunized due to the medical condition. To know their child is at risk and to not be able to do anything to protect them, outside of relying on society to take measures, requires a good deal of faith in humankind.

Increasing the vaccination rate in the rest of the population would increase the level of herd immunity, providing some level of protection for these kids with medical conditions.

Canada is so close to making terrible diseases like whooping cough and measles extinct, in comparison with undervaccinated populations in developing countries where, incidentally, parents would clamour for a free vaccine, if it were available. I appreciate the people who work in the Public Health field who are working hard to limit the damage by helping to prevent and fight the spread of these diseases.

Henrik has already received his two scheduled rounds of vaccinations, and we’ll always keep his shots up to date. Rest assured, this parent is doing his part and taking the issue of immunization seriously. Count this family in when the ‘herd’ count is done.

Shane Woodford is a news reporter with News Talk 980 CKNW in Vancouver.

8 Healthier You

summer 2015

Fraser Health’s point of view

Fraser Health believes vaccines are safe and that they protect you from serious diseases.

When you are immunized you are protecting yourself, those you care about and others who are vulnerable and cannot immunize for medical reasons.

Here are some resources to help you protect yourself and your family: • Find a public health unit to book an appointment: immunizebc.ca/finder • Get text vaccination reminders for your child: immunizebc.ca/reminders • New app tracks your child’s immunization appointments: immunize.ca/en/app.aspx • Popular info and tools: immunizebc.ca Government of Canada: Immunization & Vaccines • Traveller immunizations: travel.gc.ca/ travelling/health-safety/vaccines • Network of British Columbians who support vaccinations: iboostimmunity.ca

When critical care matters, the region relies on Royal Columbian Hospital.

Your donation is meaningful. Your care is critical.

Received care at Royal Columbian? Email us your experience at info@rchfoundation.com

www.rchfoundation.com 604.520.4438

family

How to help your child cope While experts say some anxiety about school is normal, parents should take it seriously and ensure it does not progress and create ongoing mental health issues. Here are some suggestions:

What if no one likes me, mom?

By Ritu Guglani

How to recognize back-to-school anxiety and what to do about it

L

indsay was six years old that September when her parents noticed she was behaving differently than usual. Her mom, Marilyn, remembers how mystified she and her husband were by their daughter’s new-found tendency to throw tantrums, to complain of assorted aches and pains and to try to avoid going to school.

“We noticed that our child, who loves school, has good friends, is bright, loves to read, and is very creative, started having these emotional outbursts. The tiniest thing would send her into a meltdown,” says Marilyn.

Not only was it the see-saw of emotions 10 Healthier You

summer 2015

that was upsetting, but Lindsay’s behavior was also distinctly odd, says her mom. She was making it clear she didn’t want to go to school. “It was next to impossible to get her out of bed in the morning. We make sure that our kids get between 10 and 11 hours of sleep each night, but she was difficult to get up even if she went to bed early.”

Marilyn and her husband were also worried about Lindsay’s physical complaints. “That month of September she had a whole lot of tummy pain, or she would be complaining about leg pain or headaches,” Marilyn observed.

All of these concerns merited a visit to their family doctor.

Their family doctor in Port Coquitlam ran some tests, which revealed that Lindsay had no physical illnesses. By October, all of her symptoms had vanished. Both busy working parents, Marilyn and her husband were much relieved – until Lindsay’s symptoms reappeared the following September.

• Ask your child what’s making them worried. Tell them that it is normal to have concerns. You can also share some of your own general fears to demonstrate this normalcy.

• Children feel most comfortable in a private space with your undivided attention. Before bedtime or at the dinner table are also great times for conversation.

• Some children like distractions to cut the intensity of their worries, like driving or taking a walk with you.

• Do not tell them “Don’t worry!” or “Everything will be fine!” Instead, encourage your child to problem-solve.

For example, “What could you do if the worst happened and your ‘what-if’ came true?”

• Focus on the positive. Encourage your child to redirect attention away from the worries.

• Reflect on your own behavior. Some parents are anxious about handing over care and responsibility of their child to teachers. Children take cues from their parents. The more confidence and comfort you can model, the more your child will relax.

• A week before school starts, begin the school-day routine – waking up, eating, and going to bed at regular times.

Explain that everyone in the family needs to practice the new schedule, so he or she doesn’t feel alone with these changes.

• Younger children may be nervous about separating so suggest taking a special object to school to remind them of home.

• A reassuring note in a child’s lunch can also help ease separation anxiety.

• Tell your child’s teacher that they are having some separation anxiety – most teachers know how to handle this.

• Most important – praise and reward your child for brave behavior.

Ritu Guglani with Helen Edwards, Clinical Coordinator, Fraser Health

They started to suspect that the real source of illness for Lindsay was anxiety about going back to school.

Each time Lindsay complained about not wanting to go to school, Marilyn took the time to hold that moment for Lindsay.

As a result, Marilyn uncovered some of her daughter’s fears.

They turned out to be fears of the unknown – Who’s my teacher going to be? Who’s going to be in my class? What if I don’t know anyone?

Turns out that just like many of us, kids can become victims of the ‘what-if ’ questions in life and will need help to cope with them.

Sharing the learnings From first discovering these signs of anxiety in Lindsay three years ago, to building her daughter’s coping skills, Marilyn has come a long way. Now, she wants to share her experience to help other parents detect and manage the back-to-school anxiety that occurs in one in seven children in British Columbia.

Times of transition provoke anxiety and worry in everyone.

Experts say children going back to school or new kids coming into elementary school are no exception. Some common worries include: Who will be my new teacher?; What if my new teacher is mean?; Will I understand the new schoolwork?; What if something bad happens to mom or dad while I am at school?; What if I don’t make any friends?

Lindsay’s fears reflected similar concerns. So her parents spent time reassuring her that she was not alone and that they would work through the situation together. “That really helped her,” Marilyn says. Ensuring they maintained their familiar daily routine and highlighted something for Lindsay to look forward to at the end of each day also helped Lindsay manage her anxiety.

“We always have dinner together, read a book together, and then the kids go to bed,” says Marilyn. “Even though to her, everything else in her life was changing at the moment, our daily routines weren’t changing. That and the added incentive that we would do a favourite activity when she got home from school gave her something she could look forward to and focus on.”

Marilyn and her husband were not alone on their journey. They also engaged Lindsay’s teacher and the school counsellor to let them know that Lindsay was experiencing anxiety, so they could be supportive of her.

“We believe in learning from others’ experience, and so in addition to connecting with professionals, we also reached out to other parents whom we respect to get their ideas on what to do,” says Marilyn.

One of those parents was Lina Thompson of Chilliwack, who shared a technique that worked in her situation. “A trick that I have used in my own home is role playing scenarios that cause anxious thoughts, such as what happens if the bus is late or no one is there to pick me up? Role playing is so wonderful for skill building and allowing children to see their own strengths in problem solving,” says Lina.

Helen Edwards, a clinical coordinator of mental health services with Fraser Health, says that although it’s normal for children to have worries about going back to school, it is crucial that they don’t miss school. “If they stay at home, they may miss valuable opportunities to practice social skills, chances to succeed in class or make friends with their classmates,” she says. “Most important, they don’t get a chance to test their own fears and gain confirmation that their fears were unrealistic.”

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Coaching

Mom & Dad

By Dr. Grace Park

Help your parents thrive in their senior years by acting on these 8 requirements for a healthy old age The role reversal that occurs between parents and their children as mom and dad move further into their senior years is almost a rite of passage for each. And it can be a difficult time for both.

S

eniors who skip meals, who isolate themselves and who are sedentary run a risk of becoming frail – thin, weak and slowmoving – as they age. The more frail they become, the more prone they will be to falls, illnesses and trips to the hospital, leading to further deterioration and the need for more care to remain in their home.

But frailty is not inevitable, and adult children or grandchildren have a role to play in helping their parents avoid the hazards that increasing frailty can pose. The earlier the start, the better the outcome.

Help guide your parents to an old age marked by vitality, strength, energy and well-being. Here are 8 requirements for a healthy old age.

1 Start exercising: The benefits of exercise continue to be trumpeted – how it may prevent and help manage everything from chronic diseases to issues such as arthritis, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, breast and colon cancer, obesity, back pain, and even dementia. For seniors, losing muscle strength and balance can appear inevitable but improving both through exercise can lead to an improved sense of well-being and the confidence to follow through on other goals.

12 Healthier You

summer 2015

There are many options for classes or programs in our communities geared specifically towards seniors such as yoga, Pilates, aerobics, swimming, strength training. Inquire about your mom or dad’s eligibility for a trained volunteer coach from Self Management BC’s Active Choices program. The coach will help develop an exercise routine and check in by phone to monitor progress and provide motivation, hopefully until the program becomes a way of life.

Many seniors still feel uncomfortable about exercising in public.

Fortunately, there are many safe, simple exercises that can be done at home by almost anybody, at any age. Home-based exercises can improve strength, balance and mental health. Simple activities such as gardening and walking can supplement an exercise program to increase muscle strength and balance. Adding strength training with light weights can improve upper body strength and prevent osteoporosis. Exercises can even be done in a chair.

A great online resource is an exercise program specially designed for older adults that can be done in the comfort and privacy of their home: www.seniorexercisesonline.com.

2 Eat a balanced diet: Poor nutrition equals poor health, sooner or later. Tea and toast is not an acceptable meal. A healthy meal for seniors should consist of half a plate of brightly-colored fruits or vegetables (frozen are fine; they’re more economical and easy to buy in bulk), a quarter plate of low-fat proteins such as meat, fish, tofu or legumes (peas, beans, lentils among others), and a quarter plate of whole grains such as brown rice or bread.

Try to reduce salt intake by substituting herbs, and use either canola or olive oil. Up the intake of calcium and vitamin D with skim milk and yogurt, canned fish with soft bones such as salmon, fortified cereals, juices, and green leafy vegetables.

The Healthy Eating for Seniors Handbook from the BC Ministry of Health provides nutritional information and healthy recipes.

Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for a copy or download one at 811.ca.

A dietitian is also available at this number.

If cooking is too much of a challenge, stock the freezer with microwavable single-serving meals, or buy freshly prepared meals.

Some supermarkets and other companies will deliver groceries if trips to the store are a burden. Better at Home (betterathome.ca), a service of the United Way that operates through volunteers in local community organizations, can help coordinate delivery of groceries and meals.

3 Keep your brain working: We’ve all heard anecdotes about people working well into old age who seem to retain all their wits, while other retirees fade both mentally and physically.

Research is pointing to a connection between intellectual stimulation and good health. What type of stimulation will depend on their interests. Encourage them to develop new interests or delve more deeply into old ones by signing up for courses through the universities and colleges. Many offer special courses for inquiring seniors at low cost. What about learning Italian, French or Chinese? Or developing the crossword or Sudoku habit, joining a bridge group at a seniors’ centre or a book club at a community library or with like-minded acquaintances?

Anything to keep the mind alert and engaged.

4 Seek a spiritual connection: The term ‘spiritual’ is broad and could include something as restorative as a long walk in a peaceful forest or a quiet beach at sunset. Something that inspires awe at the majesty of this earth. Or they might try something more traditional such as revisiting formal religion, meditating, reading spiritual works, practicing gratitude, even exploring the

Get moneysmart early How much will your parents, or you, need to retire comfortably?

Coming up with a figure can be a frustrating process.

Financial planners tell us that the rule of thumb is to aim for a nest egg that will yield about 70% or more of working income (this is true only if the mortgage has been paid off and there is no other outstanding debt). To complicate matters, life expectancy has increased and our money has to go further.

Realistically, a one-size-fits-all retirement plan is impractical.

Unexpected expenses can push seniors from living comfortably in their retirement years to near destitution. We often neglect to plan for the possibility, even the inevitability, of deteriorating health and what that entails. A hospitalization for a senior can quickly become life-changing. To help a senior continue their recovery at home, the publicly funded health care system can provide short-term no-cost home health care support – nursing care, grooming, bathing, toileting and feeding. However, ongoing home health care support in the public system is fee-based and dependent on income.

Private companies also provide this kind of support.

Medical equipment can be borrowed from the Red Cross’s HELP program, but only in the short-term.

Simple renovations (hand-rails in the bathroom) and regular private housekeeping services can increase costs to a senior by a couple of hundred dollars a month. Add to that prescription costs, hearing aids (to help with socialization) and/or major renovations to make the home senior-friendly (for example a walk-in tub or ramps to accommodate a walker or wheelchair) and you could be looking at several thousand dollars. Most of these costs will need to be borne by the individual, although the federal government recently proposed a tax credit to help seniors make their homes more accessible.

Seniors want to remain in their homes as long as they can. If that is no longer possible, access to a subsidized nursing home may be an option for those with the most complex conditions who require access to round-the-clock nursing care. If that criterion is met, eligibility is based on income and, once admitted, the costs of living in a residential care facility are very similar to the costs of living independently at home. Private pay facilities are another option and generally cost more.

Insurance programs can help defray some of these costs – long-term-care insurance and critical illness insurance, for example. But they are not options for seniors already in their ‘golden’ years. summer 2015

Healthier You

13

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5 Maintain links with the world: Social connection is an important determinant of health and longevity. And for many seniors, social isolation is a problem as their families get caught up in their own busy lives and friends move away, or die. Keeping connected could be as simple as rekindling old friendships over lunch, dinner or just a coffee. Any activities that encourage participation with a group are ideal to ensure this important requirement for health is met. Sitting home in front of the TV or computer all day and evening is a recipe for disaster.

One of the best tools to keep connected, albeit remotely, is the internet. An easy-to-use iPad could be an important investment in your parents’ longevity if you include instructions about how – and why – to connect via Facebook, Skype, or FaceTime and to the wider world via almost limitless news and information networks. Don’t let any reluctance – “I’m not good with technology” – put you off introducing them to this window on the world far beyond their front door.

6 Find a ‘job’: The thrill of retirement can wane quickly once the initial freedom wears off. Many seniors will retain the need to feel useful, without the commitment a regular job requires.

Volunteering can fill the gap. Many non-profit organizations in the fields of health care, education and societal improvement need help, and healthy seniors can play an important role in addressing some of society’s most important needs. The Go Volunteer website (govolunteer.ca) is just one source of opportunities as is the seniors’ resource centre in your community.

7 Have a best friend: The family is, of course, the biggest source of emotional attachment, and many seniors struggle with the absence of close ties once the family unit disperses.

Grandchildren can bring joy to a senior’s life and creating opportunities for grandparents and grandchildren to meet regularly for ‘play dates’ can enrich the lives of both. Close friends are another source of emotional connectivity and efforts to cultivate new friendships and maintain old ones – despite the effort that may be required – are worth it. It’s also important to interact with strangers and develop new relationships with those with common interests, a local walking club for example. In the absence of family and friends, don’t underestimate the power of a pet dog or cat to breathe life into a senior’s world.

8 Get out of the house: Seniors who may no longer drive need to access alternative forms of transportation in their community to avoid becoming housebound. Transit passes and schedules, HandyDart schedules for those who can’t use regular transit, and pre-paid taxi vouchers will be welcome additions to your senior’s household.

Dr. Grace Park is a family physician in White Rock and Fraser Health Regional Medical Director, Home Health

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Rachel’s

Journey *

By Cyndi R.*

How do you parent a child with a mental illness when you don’t know how to help? *Names have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.

I

love my daughter, Rachel, very much, but her journey has taught me that being a parent means making hard choices. And preparing yourself for anything.

Now 18, life has not been easy for Rachel, and her dad and I have struggled to figure out what to do along the way. How do you know when an event or a behaviour is going to impact later development?

It’s my hope that by telling our story we can help other families recognize what may be warning signs in their own children and get help early.

The challenges started when Rachel was only 18 months old. We almost lost her after she had a grand mal seizure and remained unconscious for 24 hours. We were flown from our local hospital in Abbotsford to BC Children’s Hospital for assessment and treatment.

As a mother it’s terrifying to watch your child in pain when you’re unable to help them.

But after a week of thorough testing that failed to show any long-term problem, there was no expectation that Rachel would experience recurring episodes in the future. She grew into a healthy, 16 Healthier You

summer 2015

intelligent toddler with no developmental delays.

Then, when Rachel was five, she ‘borrowed’ one of her older brothers’ bikes. She couldn’t use the brakes properly, and she ran face first into our neighbour’s garage. It was terrifying. Rachel broke all the orbital bones on the left side of her face and received a concussion.

Only two months later, she broke her arm while playing on the neighbour’s trampoline. I admit I became somewhat over-protective of my daughter at this point. I was hesitant to let her participate in contact sports out of fear she would hurt herself again. She became quite sedentary as a result.

This lack of activity now meant my once-vibrant, very physically active daughter gained a little weight. To my dismay, Rachel soon told me she didn’t like the way she looked and didn’t think she was pretty. She was only five years old. Her concern with her physical appearance and low self-esteem resonated with me.

Then Rachel began to express fear that her two brothers would consume all the food and that there wouldn’t be enough left for her.

She began hiding food under her bed.

Although my husband and I were concerned about these behaviours, we didn’t think it was serious enough to take any action. After all, we felt that Rachel had really been a dream child to raise. She was quite literally the epitome of the perfect child. Polite, loving and outgoing.

Pure joy.

The downhill slide Then Rachel’s school began calling us, asking if she had some developmental delays. She was tested by the school psychologist, who determined she was in no way mentally delayed. All this took a toll on Rachel’s fragile self-esteem.

At the age of 12, Rachel’s great-grandmother died in a tragic car accident. Rachel believed her great-grandmother was her kindred spirit and found her passing very difficult.

The shock of the death became the catalyst for Rachel’s depression.

She began to self-harm by cutting herself. My beautiful daughter now faced depression, cutting, and binging on food (bulimia) followed by forcing herself to vomit (purging).

Rachel was bullied relentlessly about her weight by her peers from the age of nine to 14. Her happy-go-lucky disposition vanished before our eyes.

In November 2011, I called the Child Youth and Mental Health BC program, which provides a range of community services under the auspices of the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development.

We began seeing a local therapist, and Rachel was introduced to a form of therapy called Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. This therapy focuses on helping a person reframe their patterns of negative thinking. During this six-month program, Rachel, her father and I met weekly with eight to 10 other girls and their families who were all in a similar situation. We never missed a session as we saw this as something important that would help our daughter.

We received workbooks that taught the girls how to mentally protect themselves – if they were planning to self-harm, they were given five steps they could go through to redirect their thought process.

However, Rachel was only 15 at the time, and when she was in crisis she was unable to think rationally enough to go to a book to work through these steps.

At the same time, Rachel began to identify as gay (she now considers herself straight) and would attend local support groups for those with gender identity issues. Her attitude and appearance began changing to fit her new personality. The self-harm escalated. Rachel was in crisis.

The crisis escalates Much to our dismay, the behavioural therapy program didn’t seem to help. Rachel felt she was there against her will, became closed off and stubbornly rejected the advice given. She was loosely diagnosed as having a ‘borderline personality disorder’, a serious mental illness marked by unstable moods, behaviour and relationships.

It was around this time that Rachel attempted suicide for the first time. Unbeknownst to us at the time, she had tried overdosing with pills at home. Thankfully, she only made herself very ill, and we mistakenly thought she had the flu.

Over the next few months, I watched our home become a place of extreme tension. In January 2012 my worst nightmare came true. I found my daughter hanging by her scarf in our garage. I was seconds away from losing her. I cut her down and called 911. She was taken to Abbotsford Regional Hospital where she was admitted into the adult psychiatric unit for a week. It was an awful experience, but we were hopeful her problems would be addressed there.

We had our first family meeting with a local psychiatrist and new medications were introduced. Unfortunately, the adult ward is not meant for teens. We saw our mental health clinician only once during that week and no counselling services were available to us during Rachel’s stay.

When she was released, we felt it would be better for her to live with her grandparents in a calm environment for a few months. This wasn’t an easy decision for me and my husband. We wanted our daughter well and healthy and hoped living with her grandparents might alleviate any triggers Rachel may have experienced at home in the months leading up to her suicide attempts.

School also became an unsafe place for Rachel. We learned that her friends were doing methamphetamine and experimenting with cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. Cutting was also encouraged in the group and they competed to see who could produce the best or

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deepest scars with the best design. Rachel eventually dropped out.

A sign of hope In September 2013, Rachel, now 16, was referred to an Adolescent Day Treatment Program (ADTP) operated by Fraser Health in Abbotsford. The program is for adolescents between 13 and 18 who are experiencing severe psychiatric difficulties. We had been looking for a program like this close to home and had even considered going to an intensive treatment centre in Tennessee. We were happy that ADTP became available after facing the frustration of years of being unable to find a suitable program for Rachel in her age group.

Through ADTP, Rachel was able to continue her school work, participate in volunteer work and attend therapy sessions and other programs designed to help youth in crisis. I was so relieved. The daily structure and help that was available through the ADTP was huge in helping Rachel focus, be accountable and be open to help. Rachel demonstrated huge gains in the six months she attended the program.

Since that time, Rachel has been continuing to improve, although we continue to experience extreme ups and downs. She is now 18, has returned to school and is working hard to earn her Grade 12 diploma. She has a number of key friends who support her and want what is best for her. We continue to see an eating disorder clinician regularly.

As parents, we wish she didn’t have to endure the pain of her daily struggles. We are thankful for the help we have received over the years. We recognize that the mental health system is flooded with families in need, and the need for access to more resources is evident.

Our hope is that other families will recognize the warning signs earlier and reach out to get the help they need to get to the root of the problems before they spiral out of control.

I am sure the new Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Stabilization Unit that is scheduled to be built in 2016 at Surrey Memorial Hospital will be a huge blessing to parents and youth in the Lower Mainland. This unit will provide an answer to so many needs.

As a family, we are hopeful as we move forward supporting Rachel on her journey.

More info and resources: • Child Youth and Mental Health BC mcf.gov.bc.ca/mental_health • Adolescent Day Treatment Program ow.ly/NsY0z • Mental Health and Substance Use Services in Fraser Health fraserhealth.ca

More hope for families Opening in Fall 2016, the new 10-bed Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Stabilization Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital will provide specialized care close to home for approximately 700 young people each year.

The unit will serve children and adolescents (aged six to 17) who are in crisis with acute psychiatric problems.

Patients will be admitted for a short-stay (five to seven days) stabilization period.

For more information or to donate to the fundraising campaign please contact the Surrey Hospital & Outpatient Centre Foundation championsforcare.com or info@championsforcare.com.

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Healthier You

19

The daycare dilemma

By Annette Dellinger

How to choose the best setting for your child So, your parental leave is coming to an end and you need to start thinking about who will care for your baby when you return to work. If you have a parent or friend who will help, count yourself lucky. If not, you’ll need to find alternative child care, usually in a daycare facility in which a number of children receive care, or in a home setting with only a few children.

Here are some of the things you need to consider before making that big decision:

Are all daycares regulated?

BC has two kinds of child care: licensed and unlicensed (also known as license-not-required). The licensed programs must meet provincial standards that relate to health and safety requirements, staff qualifications, first-aid training, criminal records checks, as well as space, equipment and programming. No license is required by care providers looking after their own children as well as up to two unrelated children, or a sibling group, under 12.

What do I need to know about licensed child care?

This option can provide safe, quality child care experiences for your child. All licensed child care facilities in the region are regularly monitored by Fraser Health Licensing to make sure they are meeting provincial standards. The number of children allowed will vary by the type of service the daycare provides. You can find that information on its Community Care Facility License.

What do I need to know about unlicensed child care?

This option can also provide safe, quality child care experiences.

Unlicensed providers are not monitored by Fraser Health and the care is typically provided in a home setting. Some providers may be registered with Child Care Resource and Referral and will need to meet that agency’s membership requirements.

Can I see how the daycare operates before I decide?

Observing the daycare in operation will give you the most valuable insight into the quality of care and programming your child would receive. To do that, book a visit with the operator. It’s important to 20 Healthier You

summer 2015

observe the daycare when children are present. If the care provider seems reluctant for you to visit during the day, when children are there, this may be a red flag. You should see first-hand how staff and children interact.

What should I look for when I visit?

• You should see children and staff who appear happy and relaxed.

• Staff should be coming down to the child’s level to make eye contact.

• Staff should be framing their expectations positively and consistently.

• Staff should be providing comfort to any child who is upset.

• The children should be engaged in meaningful activity. Ask about the activities program and assess whether it seems age-appropriate and reflects the needs and interests of the children. Do the staff take opportunities to extend children’s play to challenge and promote their growth? Do children have the opportunity to go outside to play every day?

• Are the staff qualified to work with children? All staff in licensed facilities require training in early child development. The level of qualification varies depending on the type of program being operated. Staff working in larger group facilities are required to post their qualifications on the wall. Many licensed and unlicensed operators continue to upgrade their training and will be eager to share this information during a visit.

• Does the facility appear to be safe? Children are curious, and therefore any potentially harmful objects and/or substances should be well out of their reach.

• Is the facility clean? Children share toys and other items and good sanitizing and hygiene practices can reduce the spread of germs so the children stay healthy as they build their immunity.

• A well-maintained facility reflects an effective maintenance system that is ensuring repairs occur as they are identified and items are replaced when required.

• Does the facility appear to be operating according to its license?

The Community Care Facility License should be available for you to view. It provides information about the program(s) operated, the number of children allowed and any terms or conditions the care provider must follow.

• Ask the care provider questions about the program, staffing ratio, daily routines, hours of operation and fees. If you don’t understand something you have observed or information you have been provided, you can speak to any Fraser Health Licensing Officer regarding the requirements for both licensed and license-notrequired child care programs.

What is the average cost for child care in the Fraser region?

Fraser Health does not have any authority to monitor child care fees.

However, each child care facility sets its own monthly fee schedule and we know there is a wide range of fee structures. The average full-time fees for children under elementary school age may range from $750-$1,300 per month, depending on the age of the child and the type of child care program. Subsidies may be available for parents who qualify.

Annette Dellinger is Fraser Health’s manager of child care licensing.

More info: Child care facilities in your area • Fraser Health inspection reports fraserhealth.ca/childcare • Resources for parents gov.bc.ca/mcf • Child Care Resource and Referral ccrr.bc.ca • Child care subsidies mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/subsidy

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The cold facts on childhood fever

By Dr. Kim Veldhuis

Here’s what to look for so you can stay calm and help your child feel better – without rushing to the ER

I

t’s 2 a.m. and my little boy has a fever. Should I take him to the hospital?

That question has been uttered by just about every anxious new parent, and such a situation, day or night, may cause significant panic and stress. The concern stems from not knowing the cause of the fever, not knowing what to do next and worrying that there may be something serious going on with their child.

But be assured, most fevers do not require a trip to the ER, or even a visit to your doctor.

Any temperature above 38 C is considered a fever. Parents need to know that a fever is a symptom and not a disease. A fever is a healthy, physiological reaction to an often minor infection or other illness. Only on rare occasions can a fever be one of the signs of something more serious.

The most common cause of fever in children is an infection.

The infection can be caused by a virus (more common) or by a bacteria. A virus-related fever in children is usually caused by nothing more serious than the common cold, the flu, bronchiolitis or croup. Typically, infections caused by a virus will not benefit from any treatment; antibiotics should not be used.

Less commonly, the fever can be caused by a bacterial infection, such as found in ear infections, bladder infections and pneumonia. Antibiotics can play a role in treatment for these kinds of infections. When a child has specific symptoms (such as ear ache or bladder symptoms) along with the fever, this child The best, and most accurate, way to take a temperature is to use a rectal thermometer. You can also take a temperature from the armpit, mouth or ear. Remember that the number is not as important as the symptoms. For more information healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile99.stm

– Dr. Kim Veldhuis

should be seen by the family physician for assessment. Keep in mind, that vaccinations have significantly reduced serious bacterial infections (meningococcal disease, for example) in babies and young children.

Rare non-infectious causes of fever include reactions to their regular immunizations, drug fever, cancer and inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Contrary to popular belief, teething does not cause a temperature of more than 38 C. The most important thing for parents to know is that a fever in a 22 Healthier You

summer 2015

healthy child is usually not dangerous. With a high temperature, a child will feel unwell.

He or she may have decreased appetite, be a little more fussy than usual and play less, but the fever will typically go away in three to four days. Fevers are typically selflimiting, meaning the child will not need any treatment other than something to reduce symptoms.

What is the best way to make your child feel better until the fever goes away? Make sure they remain adequately hydrated, even if it’s just sips of water or formula or more frequent breastfeeding. It is also important for them to rest. Using medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) can help make them feel better. The right dosage depends on the age and weight of the child. However, these medications are not always necessary.

When to worry about a fever Parents should recognize symptoms that may represent a more serious underlying cause for the fever and know when to go to their family doctor or to the Emergency department if their doctor is unavailable to see them quickly.

The degree of temperature is less important than the associated symptoms. Children with a fever that should be assessed by a doctor – your family doctor or an Emergency physician – as soon as possible include: • Babies under three months with a fever and no other obvious symptoms. They can get very sick quickly and require an aggressive approach to investigate the underlying cause.

• Children who experience seizures due to a rapid increase in temperatures • Children between three months and three years with a fever for more than three days and who appear ill (not drinking, very clingy) • Children with fevers lasting longer than seven days • Children with a known chronic medical condition

If you’re unsure if your child needs to be seen by a doctor, call HealthLink BC (Dial 8-1-1) to speak to a nurse any time of the day or night.

• Children with a new rash

Dr. Kim Veldhuis is a Family Practitioner in White Rock

More info about fevers: HealthLink BC healthlinkbc.ca

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Healthier You

23

take a chance on

play

By Kate Turcotte

Are you stifling your child’s imagination by being too protective?

On a recent Saturday, my friend and I took our sons to our local playground in North Burnaby. With our tea mugs in hand and two 11-year-olds, an eight-year-old and a five-year-old in tow, we found a bench so we could visit and catch up after another busy week.

The three older boys immediately asked if they could search for evidence of a werewolf over in the treed area, beyond our field of vision. By this time, the five-year-old was already off on his own climbing on the playground equipment and finding new friends.

Sure. Fine. Stick together – what direction are you going? Check in with us later...

Was this bad parenting? Should we have kept the older boys in sight at all times? Should we have gone with them to make sure they didn’t get into mischief? Should we have been shadowing the movements of the youngest child as he explored the playground equipment, ready to jump the minute we thought he needed help?

If you’re a parent you probably ask yourself these kinds of questions all time.

Some would say that, yes, we were being bad parents. You are probably aware of the term ‘helicopter parents’, so named because they hover over their children waiting to swoop in and rescue them as soon as a problem arises. ‘Snowplough parents’ take this over-protectiveness to a new level – they don’t let problems arise in the first place, clearing away all obstacles to ensure their children never encounter any difficulties.

Other parents would probably side with us, or maybe add an ‘it depends’.

My friend and I were clearly not hovering or snowploughing. As a parent of two active boys, I look for healthy ways to fill their days. As a researcher in injury prevention, I prefer to go to work without having to confess how one of my family members has personally contributed to our injury data.

When I am concerned about letting my boys go, I try to consider this question: What impact might my over-protectiveness have when they head into the world alone and inevitably meet problems there?

I think all parents need to consider this question when pondering what their children are and are not allowed to do on their own.

Risk-taking can be healthy Compared to their parents’ childhood, today’s children are much less likely to get out and play and are more likely to be in front of screens and/or in organized activities that require them to be chauffeured around. It has been reported that time spent engaged in active play declined by 25 per cent between 1981 and 1997 among children ages six to eight years old.

We need to get over the idea that our children should be wrapped in protective layers of cotton wool. Yes, it may protect them, but it will likely stifle them in the process. Even structured playgrounds stifle their imaginations: take your turn to go up the ladder, then go down the slide.

Playing outside should involve risk, not hazard. A risk is something a child can understand, make decisions about and learn from – Is the stream too wide to jump? Will my feet get wet?

A hazard is something hidden and potentially dangerous, like broken glass near the stream. As parents, our job is to minimize the hazards while providing opportunities to encounter healthy risks.

24 Healthier You

summer 2015

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Unstructured play enables children to use their imaginations. It provides them with opportunities to interact with other children, to encounter new situations, to solve problems and to gain confidence.

Play should be exciting – running fast, climbing high and chasing monsters. Play should challenge our children to test their limits, find their comfort zone and explore something new.

Your kids will have endless fun on their bikes while staying safe this summer if you follow these simple steps from Parachute, a national charitable organization dedicated to the prevention of injuries and saving lives.

Protect their heads with a helmet – A properly fitted and correctly worn bike helmet can make a dramatic difference, cutting the risk of serious head injury by up to 80 per cent.

Fit the helmet properly – Follow the 2V1 rule: two fingers above your eyebrow, straps form a ‘v’ under your ears, one finger space between strap and chin.

C heck their ride – Ensure your kids’ bikes are adjusted correctly for their height. Also, have them get in the habit of doing a bike check before getting on, checking that the tires are inflated and the brakes are working properly.

Teach them the rules of the road – Getting trained in bicycle safety and rules of the road is important for the safety of riders. Be sure to use appropriate hand signals and obey all traffic signs. Ask your kids to show you the signals for stop, right-, and left-hand turns before getting on their bikes. This can be a fun quiz. Also, remind your kids to dismount when crossing the street.

Suggest family-friendly routes – Designated riding areas are in place for everyone’s safety. Using these routes is a great option for less experienced riders so they can build confidence and skills in a safe environment. Great paths can be found online translink.ca/en/Getting-Around/Cycling/ Cycling-Maps.aspx

Support free play Living in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia provides a lot of opportunities to get outside. Kids can wander their neighbourhood, go to the park or explore a hiking trail. With their family they can head to a lake or the ocean to discover what they’ll find on rocky shorelines and beaches. They can roam hills and mountains, trees and forests.

Mine is a fairly typical family – I think. We have successfully negotiated through the toddler years and are starting to enjoy our boys gaining some independence.

We limit our children’s television and computer time to about three hours a week, mostly on weekends. Instead of sitting around, my children and their friends are encouraged to be outside roaming the neighbourhood on their bikes, digging in ditches searching for rocks, and getting muddy. I am not a big fan of the soaked shoes, but the excited descriptions of their adventures are much more appealing than trying to drag a snarling boy away from a video game.

And yes, some injuries will happen. I routinely have to deal with scrapes and bumps, and there was that broken collarbone last fall. Don’t worry, it healed well and my son is now trying to persuade his school principal to loosen up on the schoolyard rules so students can explore their own ways to play.

This summer, let your children go outside to play.

Kate Turcotte is a staff member with the BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit

Ride in the same direction as traffic – Teach them to always ride on the right side of the road, going in the same direction as traffic. They’ll be more visible to drivers who will be able to see their hand signals. If you are riding with your kids, have them follow your lead by biking single file and repeating all the hand signals you make.

Make sure they’re seen and heard – Another important part of riding is making sure drivers can see you when it is not very light outside. Wearing bright, reflective clothing and equipping a bike with flashing lights and reflectors helps increase visibility. A working bell is always a great idea to gain the attention of other riders and pedestrians to let them know you are close by or passing them. Using your voice works, too.

To find out more about Parachute visit parachutecanada.org

More info: • BCIRPU Injury Insight: Child’s play: why it’s time to pop the bubble wrap ow.ly/NCZPx • Is Active Play Extinct? 2012 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth ow.ly/NCZQe • Injury in Review, 2012 Edition: Spotlight on Road and Transport Safety ow.ly/NCZSg

advertorial

Ickert Dental Implant Centre Managing TooTh Loss iMproving The QuaLiTy of your Life Dr. Norm Ickert, DIrector of Ickert DeNtal ImplaNt ceNtre, provIDes aN overvIew oN the maNagemeNt aND rIsks of tooth loss. are you at risk of tooth loss? sometimes the signs of potential tooth loss can be very deceptive. a thorough diagnostically-based dental examination, including certain types of specialized x-rays can help detect and even prevent more serious complications. genetically altered or absent Teeth: It is not uncommon for a tooth or several teeth to not be properly formed in the first place. furthermore, if a baby tooth is missing, it will mean that the adult tooth in that position will not form, or an adult tooth may not form after the natural loss of a baby tooth.

Trauma: trauma is a major cause of tooth loss. It can be related to any sports or car accident but also to past surgical procedures which you may have had. the signs of tooth loss in the case of trauma might come in the form of a blackening tooth, the root dissolving or the nerve dying. there is also risk of infection if there is a slight root fracture. the trauma may not be evident straight away and the signs may appear years after the original accident.

Be sure to consult with your Dentist if you have experienced trauma.

Tooth decay and gum disease: tooth decay or dental disease, is a serious and complex condition caused by bacteria. managing the decay is critical in preventing dental

Dr. Norman Ickert

disease and has been proven to decrease the loss of teeth in patients. sometimes though, the best option is to remove the infected tooth and manage the other teeth to prevent further problems from occurring.

Mechanical failings: this is caused by bacteria or existing dentistry leading to cracks within teeth, weakening the structure. to find out if you might be at risk, answer the following questions: 1) have you ever had any dental procedures in the past?

2) Do you ever place any excessive stress on your teeth (grinding, clenching) 3) Do your teeth fit together well when you bite, or do you have to squeeze to get your teeth to fit 4) Do you eat any hard food? Do you have difficulty chewing certain foods?

5) are you missing any other teeth?

Treatment options: every situation is unique, however, it is certain that tooth loss does compromise the quality of daily life. although it can be challenging to replicate nature, there are so many advances in technology and science today, that provide excellent long term solutions for virtually every tooth loss situation. a well-planned, and executed treatment provides viable long term solutions allowing the patient to regain function, strength and confidence along with excellent esthetics. whether replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth with dental implant supported restorations, the quality of life is significantly enhanced.

Toll Free: 1.866.931.1981 • Phone: 1.604.881.1381

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food & nutrition

By Tasleem Juma

School lunches made easy Win the daily battle with these simple and nutritious kid-approved ideas.

Instead of Sandwiches • Whole grain pancakes or waffles with fruit & yogurt • Build your own pizza with English muffin or pita, tomato sauce, toppings and grated cheese • Falafel, whole wheat pita, veggies • Pasta salad, milk, fruit • Hard cooked egg, whole grain crackers, red pepper strips • Soft taco with bean dip, veggies

28 Healthier You

summer 2015

As a working mom of two kids, school lunches were the bane of my existence.

What to make each day so it won’t just make its way back home at 3 o’clock was becoming stressful. Then I found these tips from dietitians at Fraser Health. It’s printed and on my fridge now. School lunches? No problem anymore.

• Unsweetened dry cereal with milk or yogurt and fresh fruit • Homemade whole grain muffins: – Banana bran muffin and cheese – Oatmeal carrot muffin and cottage cheese – Cornmeal muffin with BBQ chicken or chili – Bran muffin with yogurt and veggie sticks

food & nutrition

Bringing variety and fun to packed lunches!

Follow the Milky W

ay...

• Carrot, c elery or b read stick • Cored a wrapped pple filled in cheese w ith cheese • Finely g chunks rated che ese rolled • Chilled m into small ilk or fortifi balls ed soy dri • Milk-bas nk ed puddin g • Yogurt p arfait: Lay er plain yo or a high gurt, fruit fibre cere and grano al la

Cold Re-runs

• Left over pizza • Kabobs (e.g. meat or chicken, cheese, fruit, veggies) • Burrito with refried beans, cheese, tomato • Whole wheat steamed Asian bun • Homemade baked samosas • Vietnamese salad rolls • Chicken drumstick

Hot Re-runs

• Stew • Curry • Chili • Casserole • Stir fried vegetables with tofu • Perogies/pot stickers • Spaghetti and meatballs • Macaroni and cheese • Baked beans • Soup or chowder Non-food treats are

Little Extras special and long lasting...

• Special napkin or straw • Sticker, picture • Funny joke, poem or other note

Recipes Bean Dip Mix together: 1 small can (398 mL or 14 oz) refried beans 1/3 cup (75 mL) yogurt 2 green onions, chopped 2 tbsp (25 mL) cilantro or parsley, chopped 1/2 tsp (2 mL) each cumin & chili powder 1 clove garlic chopped or 1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) garlic powder (optional)

Fruit Smoothie In a blender mix equal parts 100% fruit juice, milk or fortified soy drink, frozen fruit and yogurt or soft tofu. Blend until smooth.

Cottage Cheese Dip or Spread Mix grated cheddar, parmesan and cottage cheese with plain yogurt.

29 Healthier You

summer 2015

Dunk a Lunch

Finger food and dunking are always fun! Try these combinations for a healthy choice: • Hummus, bean or cottage cheese dip served with assorted veggies and pita bread cut into triangles • Fresh cut fruit and yogurt • French toast with yogurt or applesauce • Whole grain bread sticks with fresh tomato salsa and guacamole

Share the wealth Human milk is a valuable resource that’s in short supply. Can you help?

By Sidney Harper

Jessica was so excited about her pregnancy and was looking forward to the day she would deliver her baby.

Jessica’s heart ached for moms who wanted to breastfeed but couldn’t.

That all changed at 22 weeks when the first signs of possible complications developed.

That’s when she found herself needing a stitch in her cervix to help keep her baby in place as long as possible. After that, things began to look brighter.

But not for long. At 26 weeks Jessica’s water broke and she needed a Caesarean section to deliver her baby, a little girl born 14 weeks early and weighing only 2 pounds, 8 ounces. Jessica got just a quick glimpse of baby Aria over the operating room curtains before baby and dad, Darren, were moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Royal Columbian

Hospital. There Aria would receive all the help she would need to grow into a healthy baby.

At that point, Jessica was so overwhelmed she didn’t have a chance to think about whether she wanted to breastfeed her baby or not. Even though she would not be able to breastfeed Aria right away – tiny babies often don’t take anything by mouth for a while but receive nutrients through IVs until they can feed – she knew it was important to work on her milk supply now, as premature babies get significant benefits from human milk, and naturally Jessica wanted what was best for Aria. When a pump was brought to her and a nurse showed her how to use it, she eagerly started pumping right away. She soon discovered that she had lots of milk.

it’s

BBQ seaso

n

Traditional goodness every day.

Grain fed No animal by-products in feed Antibiotic free Exceptional flavour Stringent Certification Program

Please visit our on farm store for whole turkeys, meals, smoked products, soups and salads & dog food.

Located at 24726 52 Ave, Langley, B.C.

604-856-2431 | jdfarms.ca 30 Healthier You

summer 2015

TRAINING FOR YOUR NEW CAREER! CHILD, FAMILY & COMMUNITY

HEALTHCARE

• Early Childhood Care & Education • Special Education Teacher Assistant • Post Basic Training • Child and Youth Care Worker • Addictions Worker

• Medical Laboratory Assistant • Dental Assisting • Pharmacy Technician • Medical Office Asssistant • Health Care Assistant

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

BUSINESS

• Tourism & Hospitality Management • Travel & Tourism • Hospitality Operations • Hospitality Management • Tourism & Hospitality Work Experience

• Business Management • Payroll Certification • Office Administration • Accounting and Payroll • Business Administration ous Continu ates Start D

95%

Don’t Miss Out on:

ment Employ Rate* Stats *MTI GSR

Manageable Class Sizes allow for a personalized and supportive learning environment.

Practicum Placements provide each student with an opportunity to apply their skills in a job setting.

Experienced Instructors will teach you relevant, up to date, and practical skills needed to achieve your goals.

After she was discharged from the hospital, Jessica returned each day to visit Aria in the NICU. There she would breastfeed baby Aria, as well as pump. She also pumped at home. Jessica produced more than enough milk to meet Aria’s needs. In fact, Aria was growing so well on her mom’s milk, that she was taken off extra fortifying nutrients.

At that time, Jessica just assumed all moms could breastfeed, and that all moms could produce enough milk for their babies. She soon learned that some mothers of babies in the NICU struggled with their milk supply. She saw them taking medicines and herbal products and trying to pump, with frustrating results. She knew those moms wished their premature babies could also benefit from human milk, and her heart ached for them.

Jessica learned that she might be able to help those moms when she read a pamphlet in the hospital pumping room about donating human milk (patienteduc.fraserhealth.ca/file/21015.pdf). She visited the BC Women’s Milk Bank website (bcwomensmilkbank.ca) to learn about the milk banking process and to learn about babies who received pasteurized donor human milk.

Got milk to donate?

Tiny babies in Royal Columbian and Surrey Memorial nurseries benefit from milk donations.

The need for human milk always exceeds the supply.

We continue to appeal for human milk donations as there is an ongoing need to help tiny babies like Aria in our Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). In some cases, pasteurized, donor human milk can be life-saving.

Jessica became a donor after a simple interview and some blood work. In total, she donated more than 400 ounces (12 litres) of her milk to the BC Women’s Provincial Milk Bank. Looking back, Jessica says she feels she made a difference by donating her milk.

She knows it helped tiny babies like Aria that she had seen during their 100-day stay in the NICU.

We have opened milk collection depots at every public health unit to make it easier for screened women to drop off their milk. We deliver milk from our depots to the Provincial Milk Bank at BC Women’s where it is pooled and pasteurized. The pasteurized milk is then shipped back to our NICUs at Surrey Memorial and Royal Columbian Hospitals where it is used for the most fragile babies. In order to keep a regular supply, we need to increase milk donations from the community.

Sidney Harper leads Fraser Health’s work to support mothers and babies with best practices in infant care.

For more info about how to donate: bcwomensmilkbank.ca

SeniorS retirement community

649 - 8th Avenue, New Westminster, B.C.

Live Life to the Fullest!

Make new friends!

Brighten up your life!

Angels There for You offers you extraordinary services that no other agency offers. Caring for the body, mind and soul leads to better health and people recover faster. Therefore, our approach supports the needs of the whole person. When your health breaks down and you need after hospital care, nursing, personal care, housekeeping or transportation we are there for you from one hour to 24 hours care.

Extra Benefits Clients Receive: • Free use of medical equipment • Home Adaptations for safety • Mobile Hair salon • Rehabilitation For information or to book a tour please call Debbie Clarke at:

604.524.6100

www.thornebridge.ca

Complimentary Home and Health Care Assessment

604.271.4427

www.atfy.ca 32 Healthier You

summer 2015

Kinsmen Lodge provides loving and holistic care to elders with complex health needs in a home that respects cultural diversity and the right of elders to make personal choices in their lives.

Celebrating

its 40th Anniversary Vision:

To become an Eden certified home and foster a culture that eliminates the plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom.

Our Care PhilOsOPhy is all abOut resPeCt, Dignity, inDePenDent ChOiCes, COmPassiOn, quality Care anD safety. learn more at

kinsmenlodge.ca

K

insmen Lodge knows that the decision to consider a care home for your loved one is never easy. However, it can be the best choice for an Elder who needs more support than you can give. This will give you the freedom to relax and enjoy your visits at the Lodge. Our Care Program considers the unique care needs of each Elder and, in keeping with the Eden Alternative Philosophy, is designed to reduce the plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom. Families are core members of our Care Team and you provide valuable input into the design of your loved one’s care plan.

Our Care: • Is based on an individualized assessment of your loved one’s needs. We respect that each of our Elders is a unique individual with varying needs that we strive to meet.

• Involves our resident, the family and significant others. We respect that you have intimate knowledge of your loved one and we want you to always feel you can share your thoughts and ideas with us.

• Encompasses physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.

We respect that each of our residents has lived an active life with varying interests and we strive to keep them engaged, interested and connected in whatever way works best for them.

• Is geared toward maximizing independence and individual potential. We respect that each of our residents comes to us with different levels of care dependence, but we capitalize on every opportunity to encourage and honour independence and potential. Living is our focus.

• Is carefully coordinated and inter-disciplinary. All of our skilled team members respect the importance of delivering care with dignity.

• Meets or exceeds the standards of regulatory agencies. We demand high standards and we take pride in our A+ report card as a fully accredited facility with Accreditation Canada.

• Is the central focus of all activity within Kinsmen Lodge; it is why we exist. We respect that it is also how we will be defined.

contact information

(604) 588-0445

info@kinsmenplace.org kinsmenlodge.ca 9650 137A Street Surrey B.C. V3T 4H9

We Take Pride in Every Smile!

RETIREMENT. LIVING!

Dr. Lori Musacchio

Dr. Gursharan Dhaliwal

Dr. Christine Park

Dr. Gina Lee

We don’t have to take care of anything here. Except each other.

Magnolia Gardens is a community for seniors who want to stay active, live independently, and have fun with their friends and families every day.

You’ll like living here!

New patients & emergencies are welcome Open 7 days a week

CALL US TODAY TO BOOK A TOUR

BELMONT DENTAL CENTRE (P)604-521-6313

604 514-1210 5840 Glover Road, Langley, BC

www.MagnoliaGardens.net

Royal City Centre Mall

108 - 610 Sixth Street, New Westminster, B.C. V3L 3C2

www.belmontdentalcentre.com

Natural Wellness Clinic

Dr. Cobi Slater

PhD, DNM, RHT, ROHP, RNCP PhD Natural Health Sciences Board Certified Doctor of Natural Medicine Registered Herbal Therapist Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner

Essential Health

...helping you heal naturally

Commonly Treated Conditions: • Digestive • Weight Loss • Arthritis • Women’s Health • Low Energy • Skin Conditions • Allergies • PMS • Men’s Health

Infrared Sauna Packages for improved health • Weight loss • Increase circulation • Pain relief • Clear cellulite • Eliminate harmful • Improve skin toxins conditions & more • Boost immune response

Low Intensity Laser Therapy Quick, painless and highly effective laser therapy for all pain conditions and skin conditions including: Arthritis, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, low back pain, rotator cuff injuries, neck pain, headaches, tennis elbow, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne and much more...

Essential Health Natural Wellness Clinic 11857 - 223rd St. Maple Ridge

604.467.9554

www.drcobi.com • cshealth@telus.net

Lab Testing the key to fast & effective diagnosis • Adrenal Stress Index • Female/Male Hormone Panel • Food Allergy Testing • Complete Blood Analysis • Complete Digestive Analysis • Bone Marker Test • Heavy Metal Testing

Robin’s Pharmacy YOUR INDEPENDENTLY OWNED NEIGHBOURHOOD PHARMACY

Robin’s Pharmacy on Commercial Drive reflects the close-knit ambiance of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Owner Robin Manweiler’s store is a place to drop in for friendly, one-on-one health or prescription advice, a place to peruse wellness books or simply enjoy the music playing in the background while purchasing vitamins, toiletries, or other personal items.

Some of Our Services: • A Full Range of Over-The-Counter Medications • Blister Packaging • Complete Dispensary Service • Diabetic Supplies • Flu Vaccinations • Free Medication Reviews

Six days a week, Robin’s Pharmacy provides friendly and efficient dispensary service as well as trouble-free prescription transfers from other stores. The pharmacy staff work tirelessly to obtain the best possible insurance coverage for your medication, through Pharmacare, Plan G, and private insurance plans. Also, if you are a senior, you get 10% off regularly priced items in the front store, every single day!

• Group Home Medication Services • Individual Consultation • Mental Health Specialty • Relationship–Focused Care • Vitamins and Supplements • Accept all Insurance Plans • Free Prescription Delivery in Vancouver and Surrounding Area

Robin Manweiler, BSc (Pharm), MBA Pharmacist/Owner

908 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Phone: 604-876-3784 I E-mail: robin.pharmacy@gmail.com I Web: www.medicinecentre.com

Rapid, Expedited and Integrated healthcare options.

Integrated healthcare means all departments work together to provide quality care with minimal wait times.

PLASTIC & COSMETIC

SURGEONS & SPECIALISTS

ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS

Orthopaedic & Sports Injury

3.0T MRI Scan

Breast Lift, Implants, Reduction

Neurosurgery (Spine/Disc)

64-Slice CT Scan

Nose & Eyelid Surgery

General Surgery/Hernia Repair

Advanced Ultrasound

Face Lift, Neck Lift & Body Lifts

ENT & Sinus Surgery

Digital X-Ray

Liposuction & Tummy Tuck

Male & Female Urology

Cardiac Angiography

Cosmetic Gynaecology

Gynaecology & Female Health

Colonography

Chemical Peel, CoolSculpting

Pain Management & Physiatry

Traumatic Brain Injury

Botox, Juvederm, Fillers & more

Bariatric Weight Loss/Lap-Band

Interventional Radiology

Podiatry/Toe & Foot Surgery Dermatology, Cardiology, Neurology Vascular Surgery (Veins) & more

WELLNESS PROGRAMS

CLINICAL CARE Urgent Care Centre

Executive Health

Workplace Health

Women’s Wellness

Family Practice

Cardiac Protection Plan

False Creek Healthcare is one of Canada’s most renowned private medical providers. Our centre is a unique, patient-centred, world-class healthcare facility, with all departments under one roof. With over 100 physicians and surgeons, and the most advanced medical technology, we can help you achieve your health goals.

False Creek Healthcare Centre is accredited by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of BC. Contact us to learn about your healthcare options

604.739.9695

falsecreekhealthcare.com

555 W. 8th Avenue Vancouver BC

facebook.com/falsecreekcare