Tag: Health

Study Looks at Benefits of Early Exoskeleton Use

Researchers eye benefits for spinal cord injury patients Story and photo by Colin Zak Researchers at Foothills Medical Centre (FMC) are the first in Canada to examine the benefits of using an exoskeleton robotic device to rehabilitate patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in the days and weeks following their injury. While previous studies have…

August 13, 2016
Cross-Border Learning Supports Leadership Development

Cameron Westhead, MLA for Banff-Cochrane, will attend a leadership program at the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) Aug. 12-16 in Madison, Wis. The program is supported by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Midwest and is offered to new lawmakers among member jurisdictions. CSG Midwest is a regional forum bringing together legislators and…

August 12, 2016
Calgary Dementia Patients and Their Caregivers to Benefit from Expanded First Link Program

People living with dementia, their families and caregivers will have more access to critical information and supports with the expansion of the First Link program to Calgary. First Link is an early intervention program that helps physicians and community service providers connect people with dementia and their caregivers to education, services and supports as early…

August 11, 2016
Antipsychotic Toolkit now Available Nationwide

‘Alberta is the leading province in this work’ Story by Jennifer Green Clinicians across the country can now access an AHS toolkit on the appropriate use of antipsychotics (AUA) in long-term care through Choosing Wisely Canada. The toolkit, called When Psychosis Isn’t the Diagnosis, focuses on reducing the amount of antipsychotics patients receive in long-term…

August 11, 2016
Healthy Tips from Pharmasave: Integrative Medicine and Your Doctor

Are you keeping your use of complementary health options from your doctor, for fear of disapproval? While you might believe that your doctor may not wish to discuss complementary or integrative medicine, you shouldn’t really make any assumptions. Some doctors are open to complementary care, and may even refer you to a practitioner. But do…

August 11, 2016
Paddle Canada: Paddlesmart’s Three T’s of Water Safety

August 10, 2016
Top 5 Back-to-School Health Essentials

With children across the country gearing up to begin another year of school, what better time to explore some ideas to help ensure your child gets off to a healthy and happy start? Here are the top five back-to-school health tips to consider. 1. Set bedtimes. It’s essential for kids (and adults) to get a…

August 10, 2016
AHS Weekly Wellness News: Walking for Fitness

Warm summer days and evenings make getting outside for a walk an easy and enjoyable way to add exercise to your day. Health Canada recommends healthy adults under the age of 65 get at least 2.5 hours a week of moderate physical activity. Simply adding a brisk walk to your daily routine can improve overall…

August 8, 2016
How Do People Experiencing Homelessness Get Palliative Care?

By Emma Woolley, Canadian Observatory on Homelessness/Homeless Hub: York University As Canada’s aging population and rates of chronic and terminal illnesses rise, palliative and end-of-life care services will be more and more in demand. Palliative care helps people live the best lives they can while facing life-threatening illness. It focuses on relieving pain, easing confusion, and considers…

August 7, 2016
Salvation Army: Community Garden Slashes Food Bills and More

At The Salvation Army’s community garden in Swift Current, Sask., planting seeds and investing a little bit of time is improving the quality of life for low-income families and individuals. “There are many benefits to the community garden,” says Sandra Brong, The Salvation Army’s community and family services coordinator. “Participants eat healthier, save money on…

August 4, 2016
Healthy Tips from Pharmasave: Integrative Medicine

Sorting Out the Terminology Conventional medicine, alternative medicine, complementary medicine, integrative medicine… can you keep all the terms straight in your mind? Canadians today enjoy many choices in seeking health care treatment, but it’s not easy to stay informed about all the options. Conventional medicine (often also referred to as Western medicine) is the approach…

August 4, 2016
Leading the Fight Against Hepatitis

UAlberta is recognized as a global leader in viral hepatitis research, making discoveries that change lives. Every day, 4,000 people die from chronic viral hepatitis. More than 400 million people are infected with hepatitis B or C worldwide. By comparison, there are between 35 and 40 million HIV carriers around the world. Despite vaccines for…

August 3, 2016
For Manny, the Beat Goes On

EMS lauds workers for using AED to restart colleague’s heart Story and photo by Shelly Willsey EDMONTON — Two months after experiencing a cardiac arrest, Manny Rodriguez returned to All Weather Windows to say “thank you” to the colleagues who saved his life. “My doctors said I’m alive because they reacted so quickly,” says the…

August 2, 2016
AHS Weekly Wellness News: Work Week Activities to Improve Fitness

Finding time to exercise during the work week can be challenging. For many of us, most of the daylight hours are consumed preparing for work, commuting to and from work and…working. Experts recommend a minimum of 2 ½ hours of moderate activity a week. To qualify as “moderate”, an activity should increase your breathing rate…

August 1, 2016
New Device Keeps Newborns Cool en Route to Intensive Care

CALGARY – Newborns in southern Alberta who have been deprived of oxygen at birth and born away from advanced care centres will soon have improved chances of surviving without sustaining brain injuries. Foothills Medical Centre (FMC) is one of the first care facilities in the country to purchase a portable transportation cooling device, which is…

July 31, 2016