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Help for anxiety

For many people, 2020 hasn’t been an easy year and for some, the result has been a rise in anxiety. The PCN is here to help. We have a variety of free resources including two new virtual workshops: Anxiety 101 Anxiety 101 is a free, two-hour workshop facilitated by a mental health professional that will help adults understand their experience of anxiety and teach participants some basic skills to help manage it. Topics include: What is anxiety? What does it feel like? What mak…

Virtual workshops here to support your health

Calgary Foothills PCN is offering virtual versions of its free workshops to support your health needs. Anxiety 101 is a two-hour virtual workshop that covers the basics of what anxiety is, tools to help and things to avoid. Anxiety to Calm is an eight-week workshop that takes an in-depth look at anxiety including what makes it better and what makes it worse. Ask a Dietitian -- Diabetes or pre-diabetes focuses on patients with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance…
 

COMPASS for the Caregiver workshop

The PCN's COMPASS for the Caregiver workshop will return in a virtual setting on Friday, October 9. The program, which teaches all variety of caregivers how to care for themselves, has been revised to a four-week course. Attendees will learn how to manage stress, balance relationships and navigate the journey of being a caregiver. All PCN virtual workshops give participants the opportunity to benefit from group learning and ask questions during the interactive sessions. Register online…

World Breastfeeding Week

While mothers around the world celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) some mothers who want to breastfeed struggle. There is help, including Calgary Foothills PCN’s Riley Park Maternity Clinic, which offers in-person advice as well as a virtual breastfeeding class. For those who can’t breastfeed milk banks provide an alternative option. New mother Emily Cherubini — who went to Riley Park Maternity Clinic to have her blood screened so she can donate breastmilk to NorthernStar…

Questions about COVID-19?

In need of reliable information about COVID-19? Alberta Health Services is the most reliable, up-to-date source for facts. What Should I Do If I Think I Have COVID-19? According to Alberta Health Services, if you have symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny nose, you MUST self-isolate for 10 days after the onset of symptoms and until your symptoms have resolved (whichever is longer). Under no circumstance should you leave your property …

Refugee Care app

Caring for refugees can be a complex process. The language barriers, trauma and presentation of illnesses usually unseen in Canada are just some of the reasons why these patients require more in-depth knowledge and support. To help meet this need Dr. Guillaume Mongeau-Martin and the physician group at the Calgary Refugee Health Program developed the Refugee Care app. "People don't have time to read an 80-page document which is why I had the idea to create an app to make it easy not only f…
 

Have a heart-healthy Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day usually brings to mind chocolates, champagne, flowers and romantic meals. It's also a good reminder to think about your heart health. Your heart works hard for you and looking after it is important to maintaining your overall health. Some simple ways to improve your heart health include: Staying active - even something as simple as going for a walk each day Quitting smoking Limiting your consumption of red meat, sugar and unhealthy fats Reducing stress "Qui…
 

Five tips to increase happiness

It’s a new year and many have vowed to make it a good one. A great place to start is with a positive attitude. Try these five things to increase your happiness: Go with the flow – Flow is about doing activities you enjoy, that challenge you, and you lose track of time when you do them. Some examples include carpentry, sewing, skiing or other hobbies you love. Physical activity – It’s simply about doing more! Park the car farther from the door at the mall. If you can walk for f…
 
Dr. Janet Reynolds on Global news

Supporting your New Year’s resolutions

Making New Year’s resolutions is the easy part — keeping those resolutions can be difficult. According to a 2016 Ipsos poll, 73 per cent Canadians who set a New Year’s resolution will break them. In fact, there’s even a day for it: Friday, January 17, is known as Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day. Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network can help people keep those resolutions with several free workshops: Ask a Dietitian group appointments — Professional advice from a registered d…

Access 365: Finding care when your family doctor’s office is closed

Our Access 365 Clinic operates 7-days-a-week. It provides after-hours care and same-day appointments (if appropriate) for patients who need urgent help. WHO CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT? Patients who: Have an urgent need to be seen by a doctor within 24 to 48 hours Can’t get an appointment within that time with their own family doctor Are patients of Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network doctors HOW TO GET AN APPOINTMENT If your family doctor’s clinic is closed, please call 811. Let …

Get your shot: Flu season immunization

As the leaves fall and the temperature continues to drop, flu season is almost upon us. Starting Monday, October 21, all Albertans aged six months and older will be able to do their part to protect themselves and their families from influenza. Ask your family doctor if your clinic is offering immunizations this winter. Alberta Health Services clinics and some pharmacies are also offering this service on a drop-in basis. Who should get the vaccine? Everyone aged six months and older shoul…

Happiness Basics workshop teaches participants how to be happy

Happiness Basics is a free workshop that teaches you skills to boost your overall happiness. It is a four-week course and weekly classes run once a week for two hours. Joining a Happiness Basics workshop has been shown to: Improve mood, vitality and energy levels Boost physical and mental health Reduce pain It is based on positive psychology, which aims to make normal life more fulfilling. Guided by trained health professionals, the workshop shows you how happy people think a…

Breastfeeding support helps children thrive

Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially in the early days. But new and expecting moms aren’t alone — the Breastfeeding Clinic at Riley Park Maternity Clinic offers support to 700 patients a year. “Our goal is to provide exceptional care for all types of breastfeeding and feeding issues,” says Dr. Janice Lui, a Riley Park Maternity Clinic lactation physician. “We are happy to see families for counselling and support prior to baby’s arrival as well.” Ellen Bezaire expe…

Finding a passion in helping others

Volunteering with the Red Cross in disaster relief missions has made Jenn Hewitt a better nurse. "It makes me more resourceful since I'm so used to working with much more limited materials," says Hewitt, a long-time staff member at the PCN's Riley Park Maternity Clinic. Hewitt says she is also more culturally sensitive to the patients she works within the maternity clinic: "I've seen firsthand where some patients have been coming from, as well as learning about different customs. "I fe…
 

Frequently asked questions about opioids

What are opioids? Opioids are drugs used primarily to treat pain. They can be prescribed medications including codeine, morphine and oxycodone. Like fentanyl and heroin, they can also be produced or obtained illegally. What is opioid use disorder? Long-term opioid use can result in an increased tolerance, meaning an increased dose is needed to achieve the same effect. Increasing doses can lead to an increased dependence. Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects people’s ability to function in ev…