Address:

140 Riverside Dr E, Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y4

Dementia Advice Through Health Link

Dementia Advice is available Alberta Wide through 811 Health Link, this telephone service, provides free specialized dementia advice, is available through Health Link by dialing 811 and selecting the option to speak with a dementia specialist.
Dementia Advice provides support for people living with dementia and their caregivers, including tele-triage, health advice, and available resources. A Health Link nurse assesses clients needs and provides advice for immediate concerns. When needed, clients are referred to a specialized dementia nurse for additional advice.
Specific services include:
– Short term psychosocial support
– Dementia related education
– Facilitates linkages to community resources
– Referrals to services such as Alzheimer Society and Home Care
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 8:15 pm
Please note this service is closed on Statutory Holidays.

Schools Out

Tips for managing anxiety as school ends
If you’re a parent or caregiver of school-aged children, you understand the unique stressors and anxiety this time of year brings. With the transition from the school year into summer break, schedules become less predictable and can cause increased stress and anxiety for parents, caregivers, and children alike.
1. Maintain a routine: Staying consistent with regular wake-up and bedtimes, mealtimes, and daily activities can help reduce last-minute scrambling and uncertainty of what the day will bring.
2. Stay connected: The end of the school year can often mean a decrease in social interactions for both parents and children. Making a conscious effort to stay connected with friends, family members, and the community can minimize feelings of isolation and provide much-needed emotional support during times of stress.
3. Prioritize self-care: As a parent or caregiver, it’s common to prioritize the needs of your children over your own. However, it’s essential to remember the importance of self-care, especially during times of stress and anxiety. Ensure you’re making time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. In prioritizing your mental health, you’re also setting a positive example for children to do the same.
4. Limit screen time: Set daily limits on screen time and encourage alternative activities such as outdoor play, arts and crafts, or board games. Reducing screen time promotes healthier habits and creates more opportunities for meaningful connection with your family.
5. Seek professional help if needed: If you or an adolescent child are struggling to manage stress and anxiety, it might be beneficial to seek professional help. BounceBack® is one option. It is a free Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) coaching program designed to help manage both anxiety and stress for youth and adults ages 15 and older: https://cmha.ca/bounce-back/
It’s perfectly understandable to have feelings of stress and anxiety as the school year comes to a close. However, summer also gives the gift of time to recharge and prioritize mental health and well-being.

Recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day

On June 21, for National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.
For generations, many Indigenous groups and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on June 21 or around that time of year because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

Heart Disease – Lifestyle Risk Factors

Making changes is always challenging. Start with something that is relatively easy and build on your successes.

Unhealthy diet – The foods you eat affect your health. Small healthy changes in your daily routine can decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Not enough exercise – Being active helps your heart, brain, muscles, bones and mood. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health. No matter what your state of health, there is something you can do to stay active.

Unhealthy weight – If you are struggling with your weight, you are not alone. Over 60% of Canadian adults are either overweight or obese. Being overweight can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and sleep apnea.

Smoking (tobacco misuse) – Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease and stroke in middle-aged men and women. Quitting is one of the best things you can do to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Too much alcohol – Heavy drinking and binge drinking are risk factors for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Alcohol may also cause problems by interacting with your medications.

Birth control and HRT – Medications that contain estrogen – the female hormone – increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and mini-stroke (TIA). Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (usually prescribed for the symptoms of menopause) and many birth control pills contain estrogen.  If you take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, discuss the benefits and risk with your healthcare professional

Recreational drug use – Drugs such as amphetamines, cannabis (marijuana), cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), heroin, opioids, LSD and PCP can increase your risk of having a stroke and developing heart disease. When a stroke occurs, it often happens within hours of drug use.

Stress – Stress is a part of life for just about everyone.  Sometimes it is not easy to recognize stress because we are caught up in the flow of life.  Although stress happens first in the mind, it has strong effects on the body. People who have high levels of stress or prolonged stress have higher cholesterol or blood pressure. They may be more prone to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), a stroke risk factor.

 

https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/risk-and-prevention/lifestyle-risk-factors