Yesterday's mail brought the notice for my six month followup since my hip replacement surgery. The appointment is a month away but even so, it has been five months since I have had my surgery. Things are certainly a lot better, there is such a big improvement. No pain in the hip joint. I am still working on mobility, I expect everything to be perfect but I have to do the physio exercises, which I neglect often, and I have to work hard to continue reducing my weight and building endurance. All easy if you say it fast but all take concentration and effort. Sometimes too much effort at the end of a long and tiring day.
This past week has included an eleven hour workday, followed the next day with a funeral for a distant cousin's wife. Emotionally and physically demanding for me. But I have bounced back, I am looking forward to a four day weekend at home, true two days will be work days in my home office, but I enjoy my home office and wish I could work from here everyday.
So what do I want to achieve before my six month check up? Lose at least another five pounds, Do my exercises everyday for the required number of repetitions and to get the rest my body needs and demands.
The six month check up will also be a chance to discuss getting my knee replacement surgery done sooner rather than later.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Fisherman's Memorial Hospital -- Emergency Room Changes
The Lunenburg Hospital is one of those selected for the changes to emergency room procedures. There will be fewer doctors on staff but they will remain on call. The hospital in Lunenburg has had continuous problems staffing the emergency room. There are of course rumors about doctors living in Bridgewater and not wanting to work nights in a hospital 20 minutes away, there is a conspiracy theory and other pieces of incomplete or misinformation. But the fact remains things are changing.
Nova Scotia cannot afford to do the same old, for very much longer so changes are welcome. The concern is always that government ministers think things through before making changes that are difficult to reverse. For example over 10 years ago, the government of the day, decided to give regions more voice in health care and this was accomplished by creating more health authorities with the all the administration and expense that entails. We can't afford that type of top heavy system and now the work is underway to try and streamline and consolidate functions so they will be more cost effective.
Will it work? Only time will tell. But change is needed, care needs to improve and costs need to be kept affordable...well at least manageable.
Nova Scotia cannot afford to do the same old, for very much longer so changes are welcome. The concern is always that government ministers think things through before making changes that are difficult to reverse. For example over 10 years ago, the government of the day, decided to give regions more voice in health care and this was accomplished by creating more health authorities with the all the administration and expense that entails. We can't afford that type of top heavy system and now the work is underway to try and streamline and consolidate functions so they will be more cost effective.
Will it work? Only time will tell. But change is needed, care needs to improve and costs need to be kept affordable...well at least manageable.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Nova Scotia's Heatlh Care System ... More Problems
thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9019774.html
Halifax police investigate homicide at nursing home
Halifax’s latest homicide victim is a 92-year-old woman who died Saturday, almost four weeks after she was pushed and fell at the hands of another resident of her nursing home.
The woman succumbed to her injuries at Arborstone Enhanced Care Nursing Home on Purcells Cove Road after a Jan. 7 incident involving her and another elderly female resident, according to a statement from Shannex, the company that owns the home.
The Shannex statement said the victim and the woman who allegedly pushed her were both in their dementia unit and that neither woman had a history of aggression. The injured woman went to hospital for 11 days before her return to Arborstone.
“We investigated the incident fully at the time of the occurrence and determined that the cause of the fall was unpredictable and not something that the staff could have prevented,” the statement said.
Despite the decision to rule the case a homicide – which was made by the province's medical examiner – police have decided not to detain the woman they think contributed to the other woman’s death.
“At this time there’s no believed risk to the public or other residents,” regional police spokesman Const. Brian Palmeter said Tuesday.
The Halifax Regional Police/RCMP integrated major crime unit will investigate. They first heard of the incident after the woman’s death.
“Given the circumstances around the death and the circumstances around the people involved in the incident, there’s a question whether or not criminal culpability exists,” Palmeter said.
A number of factors can play a role in determining criminal culpability, he said.
“One potential one is somebody’s mental condition at the time of the incident. Another one is whether or not self-defence is an issue. Essentially what we have to determine is whether or not the incident on Jan. 7 rises to the level of a criminal offence and then whether or not the person is ultimately responsible for the incident”
According to their website, Arborstone has space for 190 clients, which include seniors requiring nursing home care and young adults with special needs.
In a media session held mid-afternoon Tuesday, Health Minister Maureen MacDonald expressed remorse and concern about the incident.
“It’s a very sad situation … and we will gather extensive information.”
She said the department's critical incident policy will be followed to gather information and determine if proper procedures were followed.
“We will examine it very closely to learn what, if anything, we need to change.”
MacDonald said she’s spoken with family members of the victim, but she declined to say if they are considering any legal action over the killing.
Police didn’t release the victim’s name, but The Chronicle Herald has learned that it is Pauline Ethel Hartling, whose husband of 46 years (Ken Hartling) died just over a week before Jan. 7.
They had no children and both of them worked as school teachers.
Members of her family declined to comment Tuesday.
Halifax police investigate homicide at nursing home
Halifax’s latest homicide victim is a 92-year-old woman who died Saturday, almost four weeks after she was pushed and fell at the hands of another resident of her nursing home.
The woman succumbed to her injuries at Arborstone Enhanced Care Nursing Home on Purcells Cove Road after a Jan. 7 incident involving her and another elderly female resident, according to a statement from Shannex, the company that owns the home.
The Shannex statement said the victim and the woman who allegedly pushed her were both in their dementia unit and that neither woman had a history of aggression. The injured woman went to hospital for 11 days before her return to Arborstone.
“We investigated the incident fully at the time of the occurrence and determined that the cause of the fall was unpredictable and not something that the staff could have prevented,” the statement said.
Despite the decision to rule the case a homicide – which was made by the province's medical examiner – police have decided not to detain the woman they think contributed to the other woman’s death.
“At this time there’s no believed risk to the public or other residents,” regional police spokesman Const. Brian Palmeter said Tuesday.
The Halifax Regional Police/RCMP integrated major crime unit will investigate. They first heard of the incident after the woman’s death.
“Given the circumstances around the death and the circumstances around the people involved in the incident, there’s a question whether or not criminal culpability exists,” Palmeter said.
A number of factors can play a role in determining criminal culpability, he said.
“One potential one is somebody’s mental condition at the time of the incident. Another one is whether or not self-defence is an issue. Essentially what we have to determine is whether or not the incident on Jan. 7 rises to the level of a criminal offence and then whether or not the person is ultimately responsible for the incident”
According to their website, Arborstone has space for 190 clients, which include seniors requiring nursing home care and young adults with special needs.
In a media session held mid-afternoon Tuesday, Health Minister Maureen MacDonald expressed remorse and concern about the incident.
“It’s a very sad situation … and we will gather extensive information.”
She said the department's critical incident policy will be followed to gather information and determine if proper procedures were followed.
“We will examine it very closely to learn what, if anything, we need to change.”
MacDonald said she’s spoken with family members of the victim, but she declined to say if they are considering any legal action over the killing.
Police didn’t release the victim’s name, but The Chronicle Herald has learned that it is Pauline Ethel Hartling, whose husband of 46 years (Ken Hartling) died just over a week before Jan. 7.
They had no children and both of them worked as school teachers.
Members of her family declined to comment Tuesday.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Pain Can Make You Grumpy
I have had arthritis pain, constant and deep in my joints, for so long I had forgotten about the lighter things in life. That fact was brought home to me yesterday, when a work acquaintance told me that my outlook seemed to have changed, I was upbeat and energized, contributing positive comments to discussions. And it hit me...I had seriously let the pain in my joints make me into a pain, negative and doom and gloom. The acquaintance contributed the change in me to some changes in my work environment, but I know that isn't it, the change is because I am not using all my positive energies to cope with throbs and aches. Well, not as many of them anyway. My knee still aches and throbs at times, but I can usually walk without it constantly paining which I haven't been able to do for years with my aching hip.
I think I knew this on some level but it is never easy to admit that you may not be able to handle everything in life well, especially for an old control freak like me.
So I have once again realized that no matter how miserable I feel, it isn't my right to take that out on everyone in the surrounding area. They deserve my respect and my best and if I can't give that, they deserve my absence until I can.
Let's see how long this will last.
I think I knew this on some level but it is never easy to admit that you may not be able to handle everything in life well, especially for an old control freak like me.
So I have once again realized that no matter how miserable I feel, it isn't my right to take that out on everyone in the surrounding area. They deserve my respect and my best and if I can't give that, they deserve my absence until I can.
Let's see how long this will last.
Monday, January 31, 2011
January Blahs
January always seems to be a long cold month. It features the letdown from the Holiday season, the extra pounds picked up during the binge eating over Christmas and of course the prospect of resolutions and keeping or breaking them. My mood becomes more prickly than usual and I moan and groan about small insignificant things, I know it is happening but can't seem to stop myself.
One thing that does cheer me up is looking at sunny summertime pictures. I thought I would share a few...they might cheer you up as well.
One thing that does cheer me up is looking at sunny summertime pictures. I thought I would share a few...they might cheer you up as well.
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| Beautiful LaHave River |
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| Outside of Bridgewater NS |
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| Wild Apple Blossoms along the LaHave River in Spring 2010 |
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| The ''Old'' Ferry before it was replace in 2010 |
Monday, January 24, 2011
Healthy Workplace, healthy workers
More and more we are hearing how stress can impact the health of individuals. Some of that stress may be generated at work, but in tough economic times financial concerns can also generate a lot of stress. This stress carries into the workplace.
A few of the symptoms of stress are:
January and February are often difficult months because of the reduced hours of daylight and the let down after the holiday season. New years resolutions are often forgotten by the third or fourth week of the new year and this can lead to despondency.
Simple things in the workplace can encourage workers to improve their health. For example a walking program can be organized where all workers are encouraged to track how many steps they take each day. Or a weight loss group can be organized during a lunch hour or before work. The employer can provide the scales and ask three or four interested workers to help with the organizational tasks. For example TOPS has a great workplace program that anyone can join for $ 30.00 a year membership. Details can be found at
http://www.tops.org/default.aspx
Employers have a responsibility to encourage their employees to be healthy...healthy workers help build a healthy workplace with fewer accidents, fewer sick days, and better morale.
A few of the symptoms of stress are:
- Irritability
- Lack of appetite or Overeating
- Lack of energy
- Lack of interest in people and events
- Physical illness, stomach upset, headaches, muscle aches and pains
- and the list goes on.
January and February are often difficult months because of the reduced hours of daylight and the let down after the holiday season. New years resolutions are often forgotten by the third or fourth week of the new year and this can lead to despondency.
Simple things in the workplace can encourage workers to improve their health. For example a walking program can be organized where all workers are encouraged to track how many steps they take each day. Or a weight loss group can be organized during a lunch hour or before work. The employer can provide the scales and ask three or four interested workers to help with the organizational tasks. For example TOPS has a great workplace program that anyone can join for $ 30.00 a year membership. Details can be found at
http://www.tops.org/default.aspx
Employers have a responsibility to encourage their employees to be healthy...healthy workers help build a healthy workplace with fewer accidents, fewer sick days, and better morale.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Getting on with 2011
I have spent the first three weeks of 2011 wishing and thinking. Now is the time for doing.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Physiotherapy is Finished
The weekly visits to the hospital's physiotherapy department have finished but the exercises and the challenges of getting my strength and flexibility in my leg muscles is an ongoing challenge. I can feel improvement and for that I am thankful.
The structure of my work week has changed. I am now working Tues, Wed and Thurs each week, and Wed is working from home. So only two trips into the office most weeks. I am actually looking forward to the change of getting out of the office and visiting the chamber's members and calling on businesses to get them signed up as members. The plan is for that to be 3 to 4 hours a week. So my real in office time will only be 1.5 days if that. Meeting time for committees or board meetings reduces that office time even further.
January is always a hard month for me. Short days with limited sunlight and winter well settled in with its grip on almost everything I do. On a positive note, January is half over and we have had only one snow storm so far this winter. Last night and today are above freezing temps so a lot of that snow fall has melted, hopefully more will go before the -5 to -10 night temps return.
All in all, January has been good so far. I am looking forward to 2011 and everything it will offer.
The structure of my work week has changed. I am now working Tues, Wed and Thurs each week, and Wed is working from home. So only two trips into the office most weeks. I am actually looking forward to the change of getting out of the office and visiting the chamber's members and calling on businesses to get them signed up as members. The plan is for that to be 3 to 4 hours a week. So my real in office time will only be 1.5 days if that. Meeting time for committees or board meetings reduces that office time even further.
January is always a hard month for me. Short days with limited sunlight and winter well settled in with its grip on almost everything I do. On a positive note, January is half over and we have had only one snow storm so far this winter. Last night and today are above freezing temps so a lot of that snow fall has melted, hopefully more will go before the -5 to -10 night temps return.
All in all, January has been good so far. I am looking forward to 2011 and everything it will offer.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Super Day
Today was a day of change and hurry up and wait. I awoke at 5:00 a.m. so got up and started working on the BACC newsletter, finalizing it for mailing to our list. The next "must do" was a trip to Liverpool for my physiotherapy appointment and I got the good news that I have made a lot of progress in just three days. That was definitely encouraging. Then into Bridgewater for lunch, errands and then home. The trees along the way were covered with a light dusting of snow, grey overcast skies and the feeling of winter in the air. I took a few pictures for "my photo journal" that I am keeping on another of my blogs http://artisticpreneur.blogspot.com.. I am having some fun with the photographs and I am starting to "see" my surroundings.
I will be working 20 hours a week for the next few weeks, not a significant reduction in my existing hours which works well for me. I am looking forward to having my job description defined so I know what is expected.
All in all a good day so far. Oh, the traffic to my blogs is starting to increase.
I will be working 20 hours a week for the next few weeks, not a significant reduction in my existing hours which works well for me. I am looking forward to having my job description defined so I know what is expected.
All in all a good day so far. Oh, the traffic to my blogs is starting to increase.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
Tuesday morning was my first physiotherapy appointment in 2011 and my first appointment with Donna who will now be my go to person. My back has been sore for four or five days, tight and painful to do simple things like walking. I had stopped my exercises as they seemed to be aggravating the problem and I wasn't sure if that is what I should have done, so I was a bit apprehensive about the appointment.
It only took Donna about 15 seconds to figure out what was wrong and what had caused it. Seems the muscles in the hip area should be both strong and flexible. Mine are neither. My exercises were to build strength but I hadn't been doing anything to increase the flexibility so my back was taking the brunt of a lot of my moving activities. So now I am back to some really basic stuff to help improve flexibility. I have an idea that it will take me as long to learn to walk correctly this time as it did when I was a toddler and anxious to explore the world from an upright position.
I have another appointment for Friday am. Two appointments a week, for a while. Oh joy! However, I will do what is required to get my old body whipped into the best shape it can manage.
It only took Donna about 15 seconds to figure out what was wrong and what had caused it. Seems the muscles in the hip area should be both strong and flexible. Mine are neither. My exercises were to build strength but I hadn't been doing anything to increase the flexibility so my back was taking the brunt of a lot of my moving activities. So now I am back to some really basic stuff to help improve flexibility. I have an idea that it will take me as long to learn to walk correctly this time as it did when I was a toddler and anxious to explore the world from an upright position.
I have another appointment for Friday am. Two appointments a week, for a while. Oh joy! However, I will do what is required to get my old body whipped into the best shape it can manage.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Back to the Future
Well back to work and normal routine. It certainly has been great having a few days out of the office, although I have spent part of most days in my home office at my own computer, writing blogs, newsletters and catching up on a training CD development project. But today is another clean slate and I am off to the physiotherapist for an 8:00 am appointment and then to work.
I sprained/twisted my back (self diagnosed) and have been having some pain and discomfort, hopefully my exercises this morning won't aggravate the situation. Seems to be more in the back area than in the hip which is a blessing...don't want anything to happen to that bionic hip.
It will be interesting to see what this year will bring. I am looking forward to some changes, house renovations or improvement, and some fun, short mini vacations and maybe getting plans underway for a can trip to Vancouver Island and return. Not this year probably 2012 or spring of 2013. But there is a lot to do before then.
I will find out about my work hours later this week or early next week. I also need to find time (make time) to get to the quilting projects that I want to get developed. And of course it is good to be blogging about business topics on a sister blog.
Life is good and getting better!
I sprained/twisted my back (self diagnosed) and have been having some pain and discomfort, hopefully my exercises this morning won't aggravate the situation. Seems to be more in the back area than in the hip which is a blessing...don't want anything to happen to that bionic hip.
It will be interesting to see what this year will bring. I am looking forward to some changes, house renovations or improvement, and some fun, short mini vacations and maybe getting plans underway for a can trip to Vancouver Island and return. Not this year probably 2012 or spring of 2013. But there is a lot to do before then.
I will find out about my work hours later this week or early next week. I also need to find time (make time) to get to the quilting projects that I want to get developed. And of course it is good to be blogging about business topics on a sister blog.
Life is good and getting better!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Doing the Same Thing Doesn't Work
I have been a faithful member of TOPS for four years. In that time I have managed to lose a few pounds but I have also gotten caught up in the trappings of the organization. By that I mean I volunteered to be an area captain, for several reasons, and while I did enjoy most of the experience I have resigned from that volunteer position. The expectations were high, my own and the organization's. I have always felt that if I am to commit to something I must meet all the requirements and I came to the realization that I would never be able to meet all the expectations that were part of that position. Not that the TOPS organization was complaining, they weren't. But I didn't feel I could accomplish what the position needed.
There is also the expectations of the weekly meetings. It isn't a matter of going and getting weighed, having a discussion about how to improve the next week. Our chapter spends a lot of time as a group. There is the annual 10 Km walk, which because of severe arthritis I haven't been able to participate in. There are the cute phrases, I've been a bad girl this week. For pete's sake we are all seniors so what is it with the bad girl phrase. Just because someone ate a piece of pie that doesn't make them a bad anything. Christmas parties are centred around food...a meal at a restaurant and a pot luck.
The conclusion that I have finally reached is that doing the same thing and expecting different results is a sign of insanity. I know that isn't original but it does apply to me and my weight loss/weight control efforts to date. Maybe giving myself time to feel good about who I am and what I am will go a long way to helping me control my weight. Gee you think?
2011 will be an exciting year. I am ready for new ideas, and new experiences. New books, new hobbies and new friends.Of course, there are many friends that I want to keep and that I hold very dear, they are important to me. It will be interesting to see how this new year unfolds.
There is also the expectations of the weekly meetings. It isn't a matter of going and getting weighed, having a discussion about how to improve the next week. Our chapter spends a lot of time as a group. There is the annual 10 Km walk, which because of severe arthritis I haven't been able to participate in. There are the cute phrases, I've been a bad girl this week. For pete's sake we are all seniors so what is it with the bad girl phrase. Just because someone ate a piece of pie that doesn't make them a bad anything. Christmas parties are centred around food...a meal at a restaurant and a pot luck.
The conclusion that I have finally reached is that doing the same thing and expecting different results is a sign of insanity. I know that isn't original but it does apply to me and my weight loss/weight control efforts to date. Maybe giving myself time to feel good about who I am and what I am will go a long way to helping me control my weight. Gee you think?
2011 will be an exciting year. I am ready for new ideas, and new experiences. New books, new hobbies and new friends.Of course, there are many friends that I want to keep and that I hold very dear, they are important to me. It will be interesting to see how this new year unfolds.
Friday, December 31, 2010
A new Chance
The end of a year is always a time of reflection and sometimes there are regrets and sometimes there is the feeling of accomplishment. 2010 has been a hurry up and wait kind of year for my husband and I. First there was a scare that his cancer might have returned, so we hurried to get his blood work, only to wait on the results and specialist appointments. And we had good news, changes to the lab reporting system and changes to the labs were responsible for the changes in the numbers. A big sigh of relief.
And then the phone call to tell me my hip operation was scheduled. I had waited so long that I think I had forgotten there would actually be an operation. The feeling of relief to be within days of the operation was off set by the concerns of what could and might go wrong. Feelings of doubt and almost panic. But the sense of reason returned and off to the hospital I went and I had the operation in late September. I have mended well. With the help of a physiotherapist my walk is almost acceptable to my surgeon and I am feeling stronger and more confident every day. And no pain in the hip joint.
Now I wait for the knee replacement surgery that will probably take another 16 to 18 months for me to make my way up the waiting list.
This fall has been especially sad with the passing of several friends, relatives and neighbours. In the space of four short months, eight people that we knew or knew of passed away. Some were almost expected, although that doesn't make it easier for those left to mourn, some were shocks and completely unexpected. Unfortunately two were friends from our days in Manitoba so we didn't get the chance to pay our respects although our thoughts are with their families.
With the new year just hours away, I am filled with a feeling of anticipation. Much like a writer feels when looking at a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen. A clean slate that I can control what goes on it and what gets left off.
Our health care system is still limping along. There has been an announcement by the Provincial Govt that there will be changes to the ER's throughout the province. Early days yet, but hopefully the changes will increase the access to health care professionals which is so badly needed.
I have started another blog: http://toptensforbusinesses.blogspot.com/ It deals with lists of tips and pointers for small business owners or managers. Hopefully, it will be useful and informative.
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2011.
And then the phone call to tell me my hip operation was scheduled. I had waited so long that I think I had forgotten there would actually be an operation. The feeling of relief to be within days of the operation was off set by the concerns of what could and might go wrong. Feelings of doubt and almost panic. But the sense of reason returned and off to the hospital I went and I had the operation in late September. I have mended well. With the help of a physiotherapist my walk is almost acceptable to my surgeon and I am feeling stronger and more confident every day. And no pain in the hip joint.
Now I wait for the knee replacement surgery that will probably take another 16 to 18 months for me to make my way up the waiting list.
This fall has been especially sad with the passing of several friends, relatives and neighbours. In the space of four short months, eight people that we knew or knew of passed away. Some were almost expected, although that doesn't make it easier for those left to mourn, some were shocks and completely unexpected. Unfortunately two were friends from our days in Manitoba so we didn't get the chance to pay our respects although our thoughts are with their families.
With the new year just hours away, I am filled with a feeling of anticipation. Much like a writer feels when looking at a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen. A clean slate that I can control what goes on it and what gets left off.
Our health care system is still limping along. There has been an announcement by the Provincial Govt that there will be changes to the ER's throughout the province. Early days yet, but hopefully the changes will increase the access to health care professionals which is so badly needed.
I have started another blog: http://toptensforbusinesses.blogspot.com/ It deals with lists of tips and pointers for small business owners or managers. Hopefully, it will be useful and informative.
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2011.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Three month Check Up
On Dec 22 I had my three month followup appointment following my hip replacement surgery. And as much as I have complained about the physiotherapy it has done its job, I am walking much better and usually without my cane. I got a good report re the hip joint and don't need to go for another appointment until late March. Life may be getting back to normal.
I really appreciate having access to a walker and other items during my recovery through the Red Cross. They have a branch office in Bridgewater and we were able to pick the items up there and return them three months later. And the cost was a voluntary donation to the Red Cross. A really great service.
No pain in the left hip and only occasionally in the right knee. I had an injection in the knee while I wait to work my way up another waiting list.
I really appreciate having access to a walker and other items during my recovery through the Red Cross. They have a branch office in Bridgewater and we were able to pick the items up there and return them three months later. And the cost was a voluntary donation to the Red Cross. A really great service.
No pain in the left hip and only occasionally in the right knee. I had an injection in the knee while I wait to work my way up another waiting list.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Everything Takes Time
The last three months have been a physical and emotional rollercoaster for me. I had been on a waiting list for hip replacement surgery for what seemed like forever. But it was actually 20 months, a normal wait time here in Nova Scotia. Is that acceptable? Not when you are suffering pain everyday with everything you do. But that is the fact 20 to 24 months.
The good news...I finally got the phone call saying I was scheduled for surgery. The very first feeling was relief and then trepidation. What would be the outcome. Of course friends and business associates had all shared the horror stories of people that had chosen the operation only to have it fail miserably. But I knew that I could not continue as I was. In pain and slowly deteriorating, my physical activities decreasing and my attitude feeling the pain as well.
The operation way Sept 29th, a success, I was home on Oct 2nd. The next few weeks were a strain on my limited patience. I wanted to be out and about and doing and my body was demanding time to heal. Six weeks passed and I went to my appointment for the post op checkup. I was so proud of myself, getting around with only the use of a cane and feeling no pain.
I was very surprised to learn that the muscles on the outsides of my legs needed physiotherapy because they were so weak they were not supporting my hips properly.
Physiotherapy started five days later. I was very fortunate to get into our local hospital that quickly, often there are waiting periods of several weeks. And I have been getting up at 5:30 am to shower, dress and drive the 40 minutes to a 7:00 am appointment every Tuesday for the past four weeks. Am I improving? Yes! Am I improving at the rate I should be? Who knows, not me.
I will be visiting my surgeon again on Wed Dec 22nd and his assessment of my progress will be interesting...I am eager to hear what he has to say.
Oh, I am on another list. For a knee replacement. That will probably be in a little less than two years from now.
The good news...I finally got the phone call saying I was scheduled for surgery. The very first feeling was relief and then trepidation. What would be the outcome. Of course friends and business associates had all shared the horror stories of people that had chosen the operation only to have it fail miserably. But I knew that I could not continue as I was. In pain and slowly deteriorating, my physical activities decreasing and my attitude feeling the pain as well.
The operation way Sept 29th, a success, I was home on Oct 2nd. The next few weeks were a strain on my limited patience. I wanted to be out and about and doing and my body was demanding time to heal. Six weeks passed and I went to my appointment for the post op checkup. I was so proud of myself, getting around with only the use of a cane and feeling no pain.
I was very surprised to learn that the muscles on the outsides of my legs needed physiotherapy because they were so weak they were not supporting my hips properly.
Physiotherapy started five days later. I was very fortunate to get into our local hospital that quickly, often there are waiting periods of several weeks. And I have been getting up at 5:30 am to shower, dress and drive the 40 minutes to a 7:00 am appointment every Tuesday for the past four weeks. Am I improving? Yes! Am I improving at the rate I should be? Who knows, not me.
I will be visiting my surgeon again on Wed Dec 22nd and his assessment of my progress will be interesting...I am eager to hear what he has to say.
Oh, I am on another list. For a knee replacement. That will probably be in a little less than two years from now.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Ian and Ben are in Ontario and going strong
Ian and Ben are cycling across Canada to raise funds to support the Alzheimer Society. Here is their latest blog.
Hello Blog readers!
With any luck there will be some new readers out there as I understand the story just ran in the Peterborough Examiner. Welcome and thanks for taking an interest in our project. We have been having a lot of coverage lately which is great news. It means the reason behind our ride is getting out there to people all over the country.
We are currently just packing up our camp after sleeping out on someones’s lawn in South Baymouth. At 9:00 we will be jumping aboard the ferry to get to Tobermory. From there it will only be a 100km ride until we arrive at Ben’s parents’ place. We are both really excited although I imagine Ben is even more so. It will be great to get some home cooked meals and take a day off. (I know, how lazy of us)
The ride from the Sault had a few nice surprises along the way. The first day we rode 110km to Iron Bridge. The ride went well although HW 17 at this point had a limited shoulder and we were dealing with the weekend traffic. It was all worth while when we reached our end destination. Through a distant connection that Eric had (guy from California we have been riding with) we already had a house where we could pitch our tent. When we got there we found out the owner of the house used to run a B&B. She offered us some beds as well as dinner, breakfast and a shower. We had a good time filling up and getting clean. Thanks Hughes family!
The next day we rode 130km to get to Espanola. Here we had some more good luck with places to stay. I asked a man who was outside if we could camp on his lawn. He didn’t have a problem with it. In fact he then fired up the BBQ and made us some delicious burgers! He also let us use his shower and made us breakfast in the morning. We also leanred that all those Tim Horton bags for doughnuts are made in Espanola at the paper mill. This and the paper on doctor beds that they have in their offices. You learn something everyday. Thanks for the hospitality Mark.
Yesterday we rode 117km from Espanola to South Baymouth. When we got to Little Current we stopped and met up with Alison from the Alzheimer Society. She was kind enough to take us out for lunch with some other people involved with the society on the island. After this we went to the visitor centre for a small gathering and some dessert. Quite a few people dropped by and the cake was fantiastic. The party almost got crashed when the police showed up. I think he thought he was about to make a major bust on some weekend drunken picnic party. Sadly for him it was just a couple of cyclists and some people from the community drinking iced tea and eating chocolate cake. Sorry sir!
The rest of the day went by smoothly and we reached South Baymouth around 7:30. We found a place to camp, grabbed some food and then explored the docks a bit. Yesterday was a nice day for riding because it was the first day I can remember where we didn’t get passed by a single transport truck. I guess we were just too fast! The real reason was that there were no trucks on the road after we got off HW17. This was a very nice feeling.
Well, I’ve got to go help Ben fold up the tent. Thanks for reading.
Oh, one more thing. We are planning on getting into Owen Sound this afternoon. On Friday we will be getting into Peterborough. For those interested we will be meeting up at Wild Rock Outfitters at 3pm where we will then ride with a group of cyclists into Lakefield. On Sunday, starting at 4:30 there will be a BBQ fundraiser at my parent’s place. Try to make it out as it is sure to be a good party in the barn! We are almost at $11,000 which is fantastic but we are really hoping to push this up even higher after the weekend.
Ian.
Monday, May 24, 2010
First Nations - Program to treat Dementia
When Chief Joel Abram learned of a proposed program to help First Nations people and families living with dementia, he saw the initiative as a way to fill a gap in sorely-needed support in his community.
But since the launch of the First Nations First Link program, the issue has struck closer to home than he likely anticipated.
The chief of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, located outside London, Ont., said it started when his aunt realized something wasn't quite right and her memory wasn't the same as it had been.
After she spoke with First Nations First Link co-ordinator Robin Shawanoo and had testing done, it was determined Abram's aunt had early onset of Alzheimer's disease. Through early detection, Abram said she has been able to get the proper help sooner.
"At first, it was kind of hard for her to come to grips with the fact that she does have this," he said. "Now, we're going to be setting up a family meeting so the whole family knows what to expect from here on out."
Individual and family support, crisis intervention and long-term care preparations are among the hallmarks of the program, which was developed collaboratively with the Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex and Oneida Nation of the Thames. The program will be featured Tuesday at the Aboriginal Health Forum co-chaired by Abram in Toronto.
First Link takes a holistic approach to the illness by integrating elements of culture, tradition and spirituality in administering care. Part of that includes use of an adapted screening tool created specifically for the First Nations community.
Shawanoo has modified the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, or MoCA, a screening test designed to help health professionals detect mild cognitive impairment, making it more "culturally appropriate."
For example, rather than have individuals identify a lion, rhinoceros and camel, the animals have been changed to a bear, wolf or turtle -- each representative of Oneida clans, Shawanoo noted.
Another change is the inclusion of a 3-D circle resembling a medicine wheel -- a predominant symbol across every tribe -- taking the place of the 3-D cube featured in the original MoCA, Shawanoo said.
In counselling work, he has adopted use of inner child therapy which incorporates spirituality. Assessments and counselling are done in a person's home, with early and direct intervention that is tailored for their needs, he said. Counselling support is also extended to family members.
"Someone may come in and it's `I'm stressed out trying to deal with my mom who is wandering and always forgets who everyone is,"' he said. "It could be somebody who knows about the stages of dementia and knows towards the end it's not very pretty and they want to be pre-prepared for the person's death and starts grieving before it happens. It's pretty diverse -- it's whatever that person is dealing with."
Bereavement support can be offered privately or in a group, and the latter can include traditional drummers and an elder in the process. Shawanoo said another aspect that makes the bereavement group unique is its duration, as the process is three months long.
"At the end of three months, if you feel you need it, you just come back, so it just keeps circulating, it just keeps going around which, again, is another First Nations principle that everything is circular," he said.
"Here, we have a therapy program that is not time-limited, it's not session-limited. It's come as you are, come as you need it and it just keeps going."
They also serve patients whose dementias may have been induced by abuse of substances or solvents, he said.
There is high prevalence of diabetes, obesity, kidney failure and high blood pressure in the First Nations communities, Shawanoo noted. Combining all of those things, there are significant risk factors for multi-infarct heart attack and stroke vascular damage which can contribute to a form of dementia, he said.
First Link public education co-ordinator Susan Oster has visited elementary school classes and has also done work with seniors to discuss dementia and lifestyles factors.
"It's a way of saying `OK, we want to bring the information to you and make it more accessible' and to make sure that there's not that gap, so people are not feeling we're disconnected from the rest of the community," Oster said.
Oneida has a total membership of more than 5,100 people, making it the fifth largest First Nation in Ontario in terms of population. More than 2,200 live on the reserve, with many others living in surrounding cities of London and St. Thomas, Abram said.
Betsy Little, executive director of the Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex, said since the January launch they're already making an impact. Shawanoo had 16 referrals to see clients and make assessments when he first arrived, she said.
At the outset, Little said people were coming forward saying they wanted to be seen or assessed. However, she acknowledged there have been "bumps along the road" due in part to the stigma that is attached to the disease within the community.
"What we're encountering is that people are not wanting to come forward very quickly," she said.
"They need to really know that there's a rapport established, and what we're really focusing on is more education sessions, more information sessions and just being out there in the community on a regular basis," she said.
Little said she feels stigma stems from the fear around the illness.
"There's this whole stage of denial, and the denial comes from not only the person with the disease, it also comes from the caregiver. It's a combination," she added. "I also think that people that have the illness in the early stages they're trying desperately to hang on to their independence, and as a result, they don't want to come forward and say that they have a problem."
For his part, Abram said he plans to help spread the message about the program on community radio and hopes to hold community information sessions in the future.
"I think people kind of know it's a disease, and they have to understand that, and I think as more people understand that they're going to know better how to deal with it."
For more information on Alzheimer's please visit www.alzheimer.ca
But since the launch of the First Nations First Link program, the issue has struck closer to home than he likely anticipated.
The chief of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, located outside London, Ont., said it started when his aunt realized something wasn't quite right and her memory wasn't the same as it had been.
After she spoke with First Nations First Link co-ordinator Robin Shawanoo and had testing done, it was determined Abram's aunt had early onset of Alzheimer's disease. Through early detection, Abram said she has been able to get the proper help sooner.
"At first, it was kind of hard for her to come to grips with the fact that she does have this," he said. "Now, we're going to be setting up a family meeting so the whole family knows what to expect from here on out."
Individual and family support, crisis intervention and long-term care preparations are among the hallmarks of the program, which was developed collaboratively with the Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex and Oneida Nation of the Thames. The program will be featured Tuesday at the Aboriginal Health Forum co-chaired by Abram in Toronto.
First Link takes a holistic approach to the illness by integrating elements of culture, tradition and spirituality in administering care. Part of that includes use of an adapted screening tool created specifically for the First Nations community.
Shawanoo has modified the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, or MoCA, a screening test designed to help health professionals detect mild cognitive impairment, making it more "culturally appropriate."
For example, rather than have individuals identify a lion, rhinoceros and camel, the animals have been changed to a bear, wolf or turtle -- each representative of Oneida clans, Shawanoo noted.
Another change is the inclusion of a 3-D circle resembling a medicine wheel -- a predominant symbol across every tribe -- taking the place of the 3-D cube featured in the original MoCA, Shawanoo said.
In counselling work, he has adopted use of inner child therapy which incorporates spirituality. Assessments and counselling are done in a person's home, with early and direct intervention that is tailored for their needs, he said. Counselling support is also extended to family members.
"Someone may come in and it's `I'm stressed out trying to deal with my mom who is wandering and always forgets who everyone is,"' he said. "It could be somebody who knows about the stages of dementia and knows towards the end it's not very pretty and they want to be pre-prepared for the person's death and starts grieving before it happens. It's pretty diverse -- it's whatever that person is dealing with."
Bereavement support can be offered privately or in a group, and the latter can include traditional drummers and an elder in the process. Shawanoo said another aspect that makes the bereavement group unique is its duration, as the process is three months long.
"At the end of three months, if you feel you need it, you just come back, so it just keeps circulating, it just keeps going around which, again, is another First Nations principle that everything is circular," he said.
"Here, we have a therapy program that is not time-limited, it's not session-limited. It's come as you are, come as you need it and it just keeps going."
They also serve patients whose dementias may have been induced by abuse of substances or solvents, he said.
There is high prevalence of diabetes, obesity, kidney failure and high blood pressure in the First Nations communities, Shawanoo noted. Combining all of those things, there are significant risk factors for multi-infarct heart attack and stroke vascular damage which can contribute to a form of dementia, he said.
First Link public education co-ordinator Susan Oster has visited elementary school classes and has also done work with seniors to discuss dementia and lifestyles factors.
"It's a way of saying `OK, we want to bring the information to you and make it more accessible' and to make sure that there's not that gap, so people are not feeling we're disconnected from the rest of the community," Oster said.
Oneida has a total membership of more than 5,100 people, making it the fifth largest First Nation in Ontario in terms of population. More than 2,200 live on the reserve, with many others living in surrounding cities of London and St. Thomas, Abram said.
Betsy Little, executive director of the Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex, said since the January launch they're already making an impact. Shawanoo had 16 referrals to see clients and make assessments when he first arrived, she said.
At the outset, Little said people were coming forward saying they wanted to be seen or assessed. However, she acknowledged there have been "bumps along the road" due in part to the stigma that is attached to the disease within the community.
"What we're encountering is that people are not wanting to come forward very quickly," she said.
"They need to really know that there's a rapport established, and what we're really focusing on is more education sessions, more information sessions and just being out there in the community on a regular basis," she said.
Little said she feels stigma stems from the fear around the illness.
"There's this whole stage of denial, and the denial comes from not only the person with the disease, it also comes from the caregiver. It's a combination," she added. "I also think that people that have the illness in the early stages they're trying desperately to hang on to their independence, and as a result, they don't want to come forward and say that they have a problem."
For his part, Abram said he plans to help spread the message about the program on community radio and hopes to hold community information sessions in the future.
"I think people kind of know it's a disease, and they have to understand that, and I think as more people understand that they're going to know better how to deal with it."
For more information on Alzheimer's please visit www.alzheimer.ca
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Interesting Article on Alzheimer's facebook page
Revera’s Reflections program impacting lives
Hundreds of team members trained in Montessori approach
Friday May 7, 2010 -- Lisa Bailey
In the year since Revera Inc. launched its holistic memory care program, some “quite significant” impacts have been experienced by long-term care residents, says director of recreation and rehabilitation Alice Jean Raffan.
She cites an example of aggressive outbursts being reduced —or disappearing at times — in a resident under age 65 who required chronic care due to a catastrophic event.
The Reflections by Revera program will be further measured by a University of Toronto researcher looking at before and after data from the new Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS 2.0) assessment tool now in use in Ontario.
Revera, a long-term and retirement care provider, launched the program at select sites across Canada last May in response to Alzheimer’s Canada’s Rising Tide report, which stated that the incidence of dementia is verifiably increasing.
It is based on a philosophy of care where team members join the resident on their journey as they are supported to rediscover old skills.
“Rather than creating dependence, this supports independence for as long as possible,” Raffan says.
A multi-faceted program involving recreation, clinical care and nutrition care to look at the whole person, Reflections by Revera began with 20 team members certified as trainers in the Montessori programming approach through Hamilton’s McMaster University.
This group, Raffan notes, underwent study beyond the usual two days of Montessori training, including direct case work with residents, writing a paper based on lessons learned and writing a certification exam.
These trainers fanned out across Canada and today, Raffan notes, a total of 1,500 Revera team members have been trained, including more than 600 in Ontario. And more are being trained every week through webinars and other methods, she says.
The Montessori approach, first applied to children, is based on principles of purpose, meaning and personal growth. Addressing responsive behaviours, the techniques focus on initiating a program or activity but letting it unfold with as little verbal cueing as possible so residents with memory challenges act for themselves.
It “taps into the first in, last out notion of memory,” Raffan says, so things that are habit or were just carried out recently are remembered. When that happens, she says, “you can see the delight on the face of the resident.”
The effects of the program reach beyond residents, to their friends and family members.
When focus groups were engaged during Reflections’ development, Raffan says she was struck by a family member who said, “This is what I’ve been longing for.”
If you have feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 25, or e-mail lisa(at)axiomnews.ca.
Hundreds of team members trained in Montessori approach
Friday May 7, 2010 -- Lisa Bailey
In the year since Revera Inc. launched its holistic memory care program, some “quite significant” impacts have been experienced by long-term care residents, says director of recreation and rehabilitation Alice Jean Raffan.
She cites an example of aggressive outbursts being reduced —or disappearing at times — in a resident under age 65 who required chronic care due to a catastrophic event.
The Reflections by Revera program will be further measured by a University of Toronto researcher looking at before and after data from the new Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS 2.0) assessment tool now in use in Ontario.
Revera, a long-term and retirement care provider, launched the program at select sites across Canada last May in response to Alzheimer’s Canada’s Rising Tide report, which stated that the incidence of dementia is verifiably increasing.
It is based on a philosophy of care where team members join the resident on their journey as they are supported to rediscover old skills.
“Rather than creating dependence, this supports independence for as long as possible,” Raffan says.
A multi-faceted program involving recreation, clinical care and nutrition care to look at the whole person, Reflections by Revera began with 20 team members certified as trainers in the Montessori programming approach through Hamilton’s McMaster University.
This group, Raffan notes, underwent study beyond the usual two days of Montessori training, including direct case work with residents, writing a paper based on lessons learned and writing a certification exam.
These trainers fanned out across Canada and today, Raffan notes, a total of 1,500 Revera team members have been trained, including more than 600 in Ontario. And more are being trained every week through webinars and other methods, she says.
The Montessori approach, first applied to children, is based on principles of purpose, meaning and personal growth. Addressing responsive behaviours, the techniques focus on initiating a program or activity but letting it unfold with as little verbal cueing as possible so residents with memory challenges act for themselves.
It “taps into the first in, last out notion of memory,” Raffan says, so things that are habit or were just carried out recently are remembered. When that happens, she says, “you can see the delight on the face of the resident.”
The effects of the program reach beyond residents, to their friends and family members.
When focus groups were engaged during Reflections’ development, Raffan says she was struck by a family member who said, “This is what I’ve been longing for.”
If you have feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 25, or e-mail lisa(at)axiomnews.ca.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Letter to Minister Graham Steele
To: Honourable Graham Steele
Minister of Finance
From: The ACE Team
2053 Old Sambro Road
Halifax, N.S.
B3V 1C1
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
In your attempt to sell Nova Scotians your budget, (95.7 Talk Show) you indicated that health care costs were the main drivers for the increase in taxes. There were several other interviews involving Dr. John Gilles suggesting that a road-show similar to yours was necessary to get a feel for what the people of Nova Scotia want in a health care system. Dr. John Ross, ER CEO and Spokesperson for the NDP, indicating that “A Study” should be done on how to improve ER Services in this province.
Please allow me to save you millions; Our Health Care System has been studied to death.
We want more money spent where the rubber meets the road…. on patients who are suffering unacceptable wait times. We want excessive and costly administrative levels and executive, eliminated or downsized. We want systemic uncontrolled “Health Industry” initiated cost drivers, brought into line with today’s economic reality. In essence we want better patient service by reducing money spent on counting and talking about health care dollars. Non Medical expenditures are what is out of control. We all know there is no shortage of money. Resources are being siphoned off by non medical special interests…. with everyone on side, except the patients and the taxpayer.
No, we don’t need any more expensive studies. Our health care system has been studied extensively by the following reports;
The Romano Report – The most favored by Canadians. Recommends keeping our national health care system public. This report suggested that our health care system is seriously underfunded. Our province was paid one hundred million dollars following this report, which was applied to the provincial debt instead of health care. Also, $800 Million in offshore royalties was applied to the debt.
The Canadian Health Research Foundation - A not for profit organization. Suggests: that factors outside the main health care system such as drug costs, insurance providers and other non medical cost drivers are responsible for the increasing costs in health service, all at the expense of patients service levels.
Dr. Michael Rachlis - Expert on Canada’s Health Care system and outspoken Universal / Public Health Care defender, suggests : Canada’s Health Care System is
sustainable without increased funding and that “more efficient use of funds” already provided is the answer to improving Health Care for Canadians.
Corpus Sanchez Report - A profit driven U.S.A. based organization advises how privately run hospitals in the U.S. can become more profitable through cost cutting measures and making patients pay more, for treatment. This organization set up shop in British Columbia waiting to capitalize on the Canadian system. They expect to benefit from hospitals privatization after our national health care system ollapses. This organization pushing privatization at a time when Americans are well underway to adopting a Universal / Public Health Care System.
This million dollar report basically suggested the dismantling (privatizing) of our
provincial health care system as we know it. One focus of this report is to de-emphasize rural ERs which is already in progress here in Nova Scotia. I believe keeping ERs open was …. an NDP Election Promise???
Nine Provincial District Health Authorities. These DHAs supposedly consult with their communities on a daily basis on how to better improve the health system.
Supposedly, there are ongoing meetings being conducted by the nine Community District Health Boards in the name of cost saving measures. These local authorities have produced instances where money was doled out to local interests i.e. ATV Association of Nova Scotia and walking clubs. Both wrong decisions in what you describe as a crisis situation.
I listened to interviews given by Dr. John Ross and Dr. John Gilles that suggested fewer surgeries were and are necessary in order to save money. Is it about saving money,… at patients peril? It was also suggested that by not having enough medical personal (front line staff), ERs, particularly in the rural areas of the province are either forced to cut back in the number of hours they operate or close altogether. The reduction of 1.5 million dollars, announced in your budget, to Dalhousie Medical School for the training of new Medical professionals further emphasizes the reality / fact that your government is stealthily dismantling our health care system. It is becoming apparent that the financial problems of our health care system are caused by non-medical services (i.e) pharmaceutical companies, suppliers of medical equipment, too many layers of government and administration that are outside of the main core of direct patient care. It is up to this NDP government to control the costs of these outside forces instead of further eroding our health care system and continually attacking patients and taxpayer.
Money is sprinkled throughout the health care system like so much confetti from the Federal government on down to the DHAs and is being wasted through too much governmental and administrative layering and not enough on patient care, particularly the elderly. There are rumors of a $300,000.00 dollar catering account at one major hospital. Also, Blackberry communication devices being handed out to executives at another facility, regardless of necessity.
At present there is no accountability on how our health tax dollars are being utilized and no independent watchdog to make sure money is being spent effectively & efficiently. In plain words people need to be shown where the money goes. “Show Me the Money”.
As spokesperson for the ACE Team (Advocates for the Care of the Elderly) I am calling on the NDP to do the right thing and really demonstrate to the people of Nova Scotia by making the spending of our health tax dollars more effective and transparent by setting up a system that shows exactly how our health tax dollars are being spent while keeping in mind the plight of the elderly and the abuses many of this most vulnerable segment of our population and their caregivers suffer at the hands of our health care system.
Gary MacLeod
The ACE Team (Advocates for the Care of the Elderly)
Minister of Finance
From: The ACE Team
2053 Old Sambro Road
Halifax, N.S.
B3V 1C1
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
In your attempt to sell Nova Scotians your budget, (95.7 Talk Show) you indicated that health care costs were the main drivers for the increase in taxes. There were several other interviews involving Dr. John Gilles suggesting that a road-show similar to yours was necessary to get a feel for what the people of Nova Scotia want in a health care system. Dr. John Ross, ER CEO and Spokesperson for the NDP, indicating that “A Study” should be done on how to improve ER Services in this province.
Please allow me to save you millions; Our Health Care System has been studied to death.
We want more money spent where the rubber meets the road…. on patients who are suffering unacceptable wait times. We want excessive and costly administrative levels and executive, eliminated or downsized. We want systemic uncontrolled “Health Industry” initiated cost drivers, brought into line with today’s economic reality. In essence we want better patient service by reducing money spent on counting and talking about health care dollars. Non Medical expenditures are what is out of control. We all know there is no shortage of money. Resources are being siphoned off by non medical special interests…. with everyone on side, except the patients and the taxpayer.
No, we don’t need any more expensive studies. Our health care system has been studied extensively by the following reports;
The Romano Report – The most favored by Canadians. Recommends keeping our national health care system public. This report suggested that our health care system is seriously underfunded. Our province was paid one hundred million dollars following this report, which was applied to the provincial debt instead of health care. Also, $800 Million in offshore royalties was applied to the debt.
The Canadian Health Research Foundation - A not for profit organization. Suggests: that factors outside the main health care system such as drug costs, insurance providers and other non medical cost drivers are responsible for the increasing costs in health service, all at the expense of patients service levels.
Dr. Michael Rachlis - Expert on Canada’s Health Care system and outspoken Universal / Public Health Care defender, suggests : Canada’s Health Care System is
sustainable without increased funding and that “more efficient use of funds” already provided is the answer to improving Health Care for Canadians.
Corpus Sanchez Report - A profit driven U.S.A. based organization advises how privately run hospitals in the U.S. can become more profitable through cost cutting measures and making patients pay more, for treatment. This organization set up shop in British Columbia waiting to capitalize on the Canadian system. They expect to benefit from hospitals privatization after our national health care system ollapses. This organization pushing privatization at a time when Americans are well underway to adopting a Universal / Public Health Care System.
This million dollar report basically suggested the dismantling (privatizing) of our
provincial health care system as we know it. One focus of this report is to de-emphasize rural ERs which is already in progress here in Nova Scotia. I believe keeping ERs open was …. an NDP Election Promise???
Nine Provincial District Health Authorities. These DHAs supposedly consult with their communities on a daily basis on how to better improve the health system.
Supposedly, there are ongoing meetings being conducted by the nine Community District Health Boards in the name of cost saving measures. These local authorities have produced instances where money was doled out to local interests i.e. ATV Association of Nova Scotia and walking clubs. Both wrong decisions in what you describe as a crisis situation.
I listened to interviews given by Dr. John Ross and Dr. John Gilles that suggested fewer surgeries were and are necessary in order to save money. Is it about saving money,… at patients peril? It was also suggested that by not having enough medical personal (front line staff), ERs, particularly in the rural areas of the province are either forced to cut back in the number of hours they operate or close altogether. The reduction of 1.5 million dollars, announced in your budget, to Dalhousie Medical School for the training of new Medical professionals further emphasizes the reality / fact that your government is stealthily dismantling our health care system. It is becoming apparent that the financial problems of our health care system are caused by non-medical services (i.e) pharmaceutical companies, suppliers of medical equipment, too many layers of government and administration that are outside of the main core of direct patient care. It is up to this NDP government to control the costs of these outside forces instead of further eroding our health care system and continually attacking patients and taxpayer.
Money is sprinkled throughout the health care system like so much confetti from the Federal government on down to the DHAs and is being wasted through too much governmental and administrative layering and not enough on patient care, particularly the elderly. There are rumors of a $300,000.00 dollar catering account at one major hospital. Also, Blackberry communication devices being handed out to executives at another facility, regardless of necessity.
At present there is no accountability on how our health tax dollars are being utilized and no independent watchdog to make sure money is being spent effectively & efficiently. In plain words people need to be shown where the money goes. “Show Me the Money”.
As spokesperson for the ACE Team (Advocates for the Care of the Elderly) I am calling on the NDP to do the right thing and really demonstrate to the people of Nova Scotia by making the spending of our health tax dollars more effective and transparent by setting up a system that shows exactly how our health tax dollars are being spent while keeping in mind the plight of the elderly and the abuses many of this most vulnerable segment of our population and their caregivers suffer at the hands of our health care system.
Gary MacLeod
The ACE Team (Advocates for the Care of the Elderly)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Globe and Mail article re Healthy Brain and Foods
To keep your brain healthy as you age, consider eating more salad dressing, nuts, fish, chicken and leafy greens – and laying off high-fat animal foods.
According to a new study, published this week in the online edition of Archives of Neurology, it’s a dietary pattern associated with a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s estimated that half a million Canadians have Alzheimer’s, a progressive and degenerative brain disease that causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired.
While research on diet and risk of Alzheimer’s is rapidly growing, studies that have investigated individual foods and nutrients have turned up mixed results. This is partly due to the fact that we eat meals that combine many foods and nutrients which likely work in tandem to offer protection.
In the study, researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York followed 2,148 adults without dementia, aged 65 and older, and determined their adherence to dietary patterns thought to be related to Alzheimer’s risk.
The researchers identified several dietary patterns, or food combinations, that varied in amounts of seven nutrients previously shown to be associated with either lowering or raising the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, omega-3 fats, omega-6 fats, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and folate.
Study participants provided information about their typical diets and were assessed for the development of dementia every 1.5 years. Dementia, the most common cause being Alzheimer’s disease, describes progressive symptoms such as memory loss, mood changes and a decline in the ability to talk, read and write caused by damage or changes to the brain.
After four years, 253 individuals were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. One dietary pattern was shown to offer significant protection against developing it.
Individuals who had higher intakes of salad dressing, nuts, fish, chicken, tomatoes, fruit, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens and lower intakes of high-fat dairy, red meat, organ meats and butter were 38-per-cent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, compared to those who adhered the least to this dietary pattern.
There are a number of ways this combination of foods may reduce Alzheimer’s risk. Vitamin E, found in vegetable oils, almonds, peanuts, soybeans, wheat germ, avocado and green leafy vegetables, is a powerful antioxidant that helps shield brain cells from free radical damage.
Free radical damage, also called oxidative damage, is believed to contribute to the progressive decline in brain function seen in Alzheimer’s. Free radicals are routinely produced within cells as a by-product of oxygen metabolism, but they can also be created from cigarette smoke and air pollution. The brain is especially vulnerable to free radical damage because of its high demand for oxygen, its abundance of easily oxidized cell membranes, and its weak antioxidant defences.
Foods plentiful in folate, such as green vegetables, citrus fruit and nuts help keep blood levels of an amino acid, called homocysteine, in check. Having a high homocysteine level is thought to damage artery walls and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Healthy fats found in oily fish, salad dressing and nuts may protect from dementia by reducing inflammation, blood clot formation, and hardening of the arteries in the brain. These fats may also prevent the build-up of a protein called beta amyloid, which can interfere with communication between brain cells.
A diet low in high-fat dairy products, butter, red meat and organ meats is lower in saturated fat, the type of fat that raises LDL (bad) cholesterol and, in turn, can damage arteries. Previous research has, in fact, linked a higher intake of saturated (animal) fat with a two- to threefold greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
In my opinion, these findings highlight two salient points. For starters, they refute the notion that popping a vitamin E supplement – or simply cutting saturated fat – will protect you from Alzheimer’s disease.
Rather, it’s the big picture that counts. Eating a variety of healthy, nutrient-rich foods and, at the same time, minimizing your intake of foods that may harm the brain is what seems to matter most when it comes to reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In other words, the whole – or combined effect – is greater than the sum of its separate effects.
A large study published last year also linked a pattern of eating to protection from Alzheimer’s disease. In the study, people who adhered most closely to a Mediterranean-style diet – rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans and olive oil – had up to a 40-per-cent reduced Alzheimer’s risk.
Secondly, these findings add to a growing body of evidence that suggests what you eat to protect yourself from heart disease are the same foods that can keep your brain healthy. A healthy diet can prevent Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension, risk factors that damage blood vessels that have also been linked to a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Based on these new findings, the following foods, when eaten together as part of a low-saturated fat diet, may lower the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease:
Salad dressing – monounsaturated fats include olive, canola, peanut, avocado and almond oils. Sunflower, safflower, soybean, corn, grapeseed, hemp, flaxseed, and walnut oils are rich in omega-6 fats.
Nuts – almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts.
Oily fish – anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout.
Cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip.
Dark green leafy vegetables – arugula, beet greens, collard greens, dandelion, kale, rapini, spinach, Swiss chard.
Tomatoes – fresh tomatoes, tomato juice, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce; choose reduced sodium when possible.
Fruit – apples, berries, citrus fruit, grapes, kiwi fruit, melon, pears.
Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based dietitian at the Medcan Clinic, is on CTV’s Canada AM every Wednesday. Her website is lesliebeck.com.
According to a new study, published this week in the online edition of Archives of Neurology, it’s a dietary pattern associated with a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s estimated that half a million Canadians have Alzheimer’s, a progressive and degenerative brain disease that causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired.
While research on diet and risk of Alzheimer’s is rapidly growing, studies that have investigated individual foods and nutrients have turned up mixed results. This is partly due to the fact that we eat meals that combine many foods and nutrients which likely work in tandem to offer protection.
In the study, researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York followed 2,148 adults without dementia, aged 65 and older, and determined their adherence to dietary patterns thought to be related to Alzheimer’s risk.
The researchers identified several dietary patterns, or food combinations, that varied in amounts of seven nutrients previously shown to be associated with either lowering or raising the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, omega-3 fats, omega-6 fats, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and folate.
Study participants provided information about their typical diets and were assessed for the development of dementia every 1.5 years. Dementia, the most common cause being Alzheimer’s disease, describes progressive symptoms such as memory loss, mood changes and a decline in the ability to talk, read and write caused by damage or changes to the brain.
After four years, 253 individuals were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. One dietary pattern was shown to offer significant protection against developing it.
Individuals who had higher intakes of salad dressing, nuts, fish, chicken, tomatoes, fruit, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens and lower intakes of high-fat dairy, red meat, organ meats and butter were 38-per-cent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, compared to those who adhered the least to this dietary pattern.
There are a number of ways this combination of foods may reduce Alzheimer’s risk. Vitamin E, found in vegetable oils, almonds, peanuts, soybeans, wheat germ, avocado and green leafy vegetables, is a powerful antioxidant that helps shield brain cells from free radical damage.
Free radical damage, also called oxidative damage, is believed to contribute to the progressive decline in brain function seen in Alzheimer’s. Free radicals are routinely produced within cells as a by-product of oxygen metabolism, but they can also be created from cigarette smoke and air pollution. The brain is especially vulnerable to free radical damage because of its high demand for oxygen, its abundance of easily oxidized cell membranes, and its weak antioxidant defences.
Foods plentiful in folate, such as green vegetables, citrus fruit and nuts help keep blood levels of an amino acid, called homocysteine, in check. Having a high homocysteine level is thought to damage artery walls and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Healthy fats found in oily fish, salad dressing and nuts may protect from dementia by reducing inflammation, blood clot formation, and hardening of the arteries in the brain. These fats may also prevent the build-up of a protein called beta amyloid, which can interfere with communication between brain cells.
A diet low in high-fat dairy products, butter, red meat and organ meats is lower in saturated fat, the type of fat that raises LDL (bad) cholesterol and, in turn, can damage arteries. Previous research has, in fact, linked a higher intake of saturated (animal) fat with a two- to threefold greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
In my opinion, these findings highlight two salient points. For starters, they refute the notion that popping a vitamin E supplement – or simply cutting saturated fat – will protect you from Alzheimer’s disease.
Rather, it’s the big picture that counts. Eating a variety of healthy, nutrient-rich foods and, at the same time, minimizing your intake of foods that may harm the brain is what seems to matter most when it comes to reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In other words, the whole – or combined effect – is greater than the sum of its separate effects.
A large study published last year also linked a pattern of eating to protection from Alzheimer’s disease. In the study, people who adhered most closely to a Mediterranean-style diet – rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans and olive oil – had up to a 40-per-cent reduced Alzheimer’s risk.
Secondly, these findings add to a growing body of evidence that suggests what you eat to protect yourself from heart disease are the same foods that can keep your brain healthy. A healthy diet can prevent Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension, risk factors that damage blood vessels that have also been linked to a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Based on these new findings, the following foods, when eaten together as part of a low-saturated fat diet, may lower the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease:
Salad dressing – monounsaturated fats include olive, canola, peanut, avocado and almond oils. Sunflower, safflower, soybean, corn, grapeseed, hemp, flaxseed, and walnut oils are rich in omega-6 fats.
Nuts – almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts.
Oily fish – anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout.
Cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip.
Dark green leafy vegetables – arugula, beet greens, collard greens, dandelion, kale, rapini, spinach, Swiss chard.
Tomatoes – fresh tomatoes, tomato juice, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce; choose reduced sodium when possible.
Fruit – apples, berries, citrus fruit, grapes, kiwi fruit, melon, pears.
Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based dietitian at the Medcan Clinic, is on CTV’s Canada AM every Wednesday. Her website is lesliebeck.com.
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