VCHC s Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Programs

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1 VCHC s Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Programs What is chronic disease? In simple words it is long lasting medical condition that stays with you; it can be managed but cannot be cured. However, it can be prevented if the right steps are taken at the right time! Some of the most common chronic diseases include diabetes, arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, cancer, stroke and so on. If your doctor has indicated that you are at risk of any of these or any other this is the time to act. VCHC has recently established a Chronic Disease Prevention and Management program with the goal to build and strengthen the Centre s capacity and expertise to effectively prevent chronic disease and promote health within the community. The program aims to maximize the reach of chronic disease management in York Region for heart disease and stroke, diabetes, obesity, cancer, arthritis, and other conditions through shared basic services. It also aims to improve the quality of life and prevent the onset of complications. The program philosophy is based on Self- Management : the fact that engaging individuals in self-managing their chronic disease leads to more positive health outcomes. It also allows them to develop care plans with their healthcare team (physician, nurse, dietitian, and so on) that focus on the aspects of their health and wellbeing that matter the most to them. Effective chronic disease management also reduces costs to the healthcare system. In this issue of Community Health Matters: VCHC s Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Programs Youth Life Skills and Training Program at VCHC Quality Improvement at VCHC Engaging our Community The Truth about Weight Management Highlighting a Program: Coffee and Chats Women s Group Client s Questions and Suggestions Answered VCHC s Community Health Matters Spring 2015 Issue #11 P. 1

2 VCHC s Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Programs Continued Youth Life Skills and Training Program at VCHC Over the last four years youth have been requesting training that would help them seek and gain employment. In 2015, the VCHC was granted funding from the Regional Municipality of York to provide the Youth Life Skills and Training program free of cost to youth ages The Youth Life Skills and Training program consists of various certificate based training and workshops that are offered to youth free of cost. The program aims to provide youth with new skills, knowledge and certificate based training which will help youth in attaining and sustaining employment. The services currently being offered through the program include: Diabetes education (Type 2 Diabetes) COPD management Stanford Chronic disease and diabetes selfmanagement programs Several health promotion programs that may help in preventing the onset of chronic disease Supervised exercise programs for people who are at risk of developing a chronic disease or are living with one. There are future plans of providing primary care services and obesity clinics within the program. For more information or to register for the above programs call and then one of the extension numbers below: Diabetes Education Programs: 137 or 171 COPD and Exercise Programs: 167 Eligibility criteria to attend workshops and training: Age Living in York Region Annual household income of less than $70,000. The training and workshops are provided from March 10 th 2015 to December Free YRT tickets available to participants Snacks will be provided to participants at every training session and workshop VCHC s Community Health Matters Spring 2015 Issue #11 P. 2

3 Youth Life Skills and Training Program at VCHC Continued VCHC s Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Programs Youth Life Skills and Training Program at VCHC Quality Improvement at VCHC Engaging our Community The Truth about Weight Management Highlighting a Program: Coffee and Chats Women s Group Client s Questions and Suggestions Answered Upcoming Trainings and Workshops at VCHC: Financial Literacy Tuesday, April 28, 2015: 4:00pm- 7:00pm Gain knowledge on becoming a smart consumer, understand basic banking systems, credit and debt and know how to budget and save! Practical Budgeting and Healthy Cooking Tuesday, May 5, 2015: 4:00pm- 7:00pm Workshops to enhance your knowledge of how to manage a budget to create affordable and healthy meals. Conflict Resolution Management Training Saturday, May 16, 2015: 9:00am 4:00pm Understand and practice the necessary and fundamental communication skills that help to promote effective conflict resolution and management. Diffusing Angry Customers Training Tuesday, May 26, 2015: 4:00pm- 7:00pm Become aware of what to do when serving challenging and demanding customers. Team Building Training Tuesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 21, 2015: 4:00pm- 7:00pm Learn the skills that are involved in becoming a team player and supporting your team, as well as steps involved in building a team First AID/CPR Training Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June : 9:00am- 4:00pm both days Receive your First Aid/CPR Certificate by attending the 2 day workshops Please visit our Facebook page or website for up to date listings of trainings and workshops. For more information, please contact Stacey at Ext Web: VCHC s Community Health Matters Spring 2015 Issue #11 P. 3

4 Quality Improvement at VCHC Quality improvement is a concept that guides the VCHC at all levels of its work with the community. VCHC s annual Quality Improvement Plan is monitored by the Quality Improvement Committee that is comprised of staff and clients. The plan consists of 3 major components: Access, Integration, and Patient- Centeredness 1. ACCESS: Ensuring that clients receive timely appointments with their Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner Since we implemented our Quality Improvement plan, we have noticed: Timely access to family physicians and nurse practitioners at VCHC increased to 49% from the target of 45.6%. Clients who received the same or next day appointment within 0-3 days of calling the Centre, increased to 79% from the target of 71% To increase access to appointments, VCHC: Books length of appointment, based on client needs Increased the number of phone calls made by Doctors or NPs to discuss lab work Registered Practical Nurse works closer with Family Doctors and Nurse Practitioners 2. INTEGRATION: Working with other health care providers to ensure clients receive the best possible care. 3. PATIENT-CENTRED: Involving clients in decisions of their care, providing opportunity to ask questions, and spending enough time with clients. According to the feedback received from VCHC s clients: Always/often feel they can ask questions regarding recommended treatment (93% from target of 86%) Always /often are involved in making decisions regarding their care and treatment (93% from target of 79%) Are always/often satisfied with the amount of time spent during their visit (91% from target of 89%). To ensure clients are involved in their own treatment, VCHC: Provided clients with interpretation at their appointments. We are excited to announce that in March 2015, the new Hospital Report Manager (HRM) system has been implemented at the VCHC. The HRM system allows VCHC s Doctors and Nurse Practitioners faster access to client results such as hospital discharge information. Future plans: Continue to conduct client experience surveys to understand clients needs Monitor time that providers spend with their clients at each visit, to ensure enough time is provided for clients with their provider Data is based on 3 rd quarter results of VCHC s Client Experience Survey ( ) VCHC s Community Health Matters Spring 2015 Issue #11 P. 4

5 Engaging our Community Seniors information & Exhibition fair June 18, 2014 On June 18, 2014, the VCHC in partnership with Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative (SAVI) and City of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service held a Seniors Information and Exhibition Fair at the Veneto Centre. The goal of the fair was to provide seniors with an opportunity to gain information on various services available to them in their own community. Presentations on topics such as healthy feet, banking, elder abuse, and medication safety were also provided to seniors. With over 300 seniors in attendance and 20 different organizations in York Region holding booths, the event was a success. Community Consultation Luncheon & Student & Volunteer Appreciation - July 22, 2014 VCHC held its annual Community Consultation event with VCHC s Executive Director, Isabel Araya and management team. The purpose of the event was to provide an opportunity for clients to provide feedback on VCHC s programs and services, discuss past accomplishments and provide VCHC with input on how we can reach the vision of a healthy community. As part of this event, VCHC also held a Volunteer/Student Appreciation ceremony. VCHC thanked volunteers/students for their dedication and hard work at VCHC and provided a certificate of appreciation. VCHC s Community Health Matters Spring 2015 Issue #11 P. 5

6 Engaging our Community Continued Community Walk October 4, 2014 VCHC organized its first Community Walk on October 4, 2014, held at the Maple Community Centre. The Community Walk was an interactive, social and healthy way to promote health well-being. Renewal of VCHC s Strategic Directions In the summer of 2014, a Community Needs and Strengths Assessment was conducted to inform VCHC s strategic directions. The new Strategic Directions will identify our Centre s priorities within the next 4 years in order to move forward our Centre s vision, mission, and core values. The VCHC embarks on a review process of its strategic directions every 4 years. The process included: Conducted Environmental Scan: Surveyed our community, staff, Board of Directors, clients partners, funders Analyzed Data Obtained from Surveys Held a Board - Staff Retreat: where the vision, mission and values statements were reviewed and revised to add specific reference to the determinants of health and community engagement. Board reviewed and approved new Strategic Directions VCHC s Community Health Matters Spring 2015 Issue #11 P. 6

7 The Truth about Weight Management Fad diets (i.e. food restrictions, skipped meals, elimination of favourite foods and under eating) only lead to short-term weight loss, while resulting in long-term weight gain, weight cycling & even disordered eating patterns. Though these diets such as a low carb diet seem appealing at the time due to its quick weight loss result, in reality most of the weight loss is water & lean body mass (i.e. muscle) instead of fat, thus the reason why people gain everything back and more when you get off those diets. The non-diet based interventions however focus on making healthy permanent behavioural changes, such as increasing fruit & vegetable consumption and increasing physical activity, which results in improved health & wellness without solely focusing on weight loss. This type of intervention also makes eating food fun and enjoyable again without causing guilt and anxiety. The VCHC s Community Dietitian, uses the non-diet based intervention approach to help clients achieve a healthy, well balance life. She also offers a number of other free services for all age groups in both English and Spanish, such as meal planning for pregnancy & baby s first food, education & nutritional advice on high blood pressure & cholesterol, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, COPD, anemia and other nutrient deficiencies and much more. If you would like to make an appointment with VCHC s Community Dietitian, Sabrina Gonzalez please call x 100 or 101, no referrals needed. References Dawn Clifford, PhD, RD et al. Impact of Non-Diet Approaches on Attitudes, Behaviors, and Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Dec 3, Coffee and Chats Peer Led Women s Group The Coffee and Chats women s group runs every week at the VCHC. The program s goal is to provide a safe space, where women of all ages can come together and discuss topics of interest, learn from each other, and make new friends. Monthly presentations are provided to the group on the topics of their interests. The group is led and organized by a participant Peer Leader and is supported by a VCHC Community Health Worker. If you re interested in attending the Coffee and Chats group, please call Cindy at Ext. 142 VCHC s Community Health Matters Spring 2015 Issue #11 P. 7

8 Client s Questions and Suggestions Answered VCHC considers client s feedback as a vital step to improve the programs and services at the Centre. Some of the suggestions by clients are indicated below: Client Feedback Clients suggested having exercise program registrations on the same day A few clients have been turned away from a program Comment stated that teen fitness programs would be beneficial to teens Client asked for programs on Saturdays and Sundays Client requested to have a yoga program in the evening. VCHC s Response: VCHC designated exercise program registration days to make it easier for clients to register for multiple exercise programs. Due to financial pressures or room capacity, VCHC is only able to allocate a certain number of spots for each program. VCHC runs multiple sessions of the same program throughout the year. If a program is full or at capacity, please ask to be placed on a waiting list for the next program session. VCHC did run fitness programs for teens in the past such as Zumba, hip hop dance. However the programs were low in attendance. VCHC will consider running an exercise program for teens again, should we have a group of 13 or more teens that are interested. Group programs are provided on Saturdays through out the programming year. Please check our monthly program calendar or speak with our staff for information on upcoming programs on Saturdays. It was suggested to clients that if they can get a group of 13 or more clients together to come to the program consistently in the evening time, VCHC would look into providing a yoga program again at VCHC. The VCHC always welcomes feedback! If you have a suggestion, question, or concern, please speak with one of our staff or leave us a note in our suggestion boxes. Suggestion boxes are located on the 1 st and 2 nd floors Hours of Operation: Monday 8:00am-5:00pm Tuesday 8:00am-8:00pm Wednesday 8:00am-8:00pm Thursday 8:00am-8:00pm Friday 8:00am-5:00pm Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm Sunday: CLOSED - Vaughan Community Health Centre 9401 Jane Street Suite 206 L6A 4H7 Phone: This newsletter is available in an alternative format