Introducing the Get Better Together program

Read Winnipeg Free Press Article

Get Better Together is for anyone living with an ongoing health condition such as, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Asthma, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Anxiety, etc. 

The Winter 2010 session of the program is scheduled for the following: 

Thursday February 11 - March 18, from 1:00 - 3:30 PM, @ North End Wellness Centre - 363 McGregor St. 

Get Better Together is a free program and is open to all persons. 

 Get Better Together is a workshop 2 ½ hours, once a week, for 6 weeks. 

Subjects covered include:

•  Techniques to deal with problems such as fatigue, pain and isolation

•  Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance.

•  Healthy nutrition

•  Appropriate use of medications

•  Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals

•  Making informed treatment decisions. 

Get Better Together is led in part by persons who also live with health conditions.  Each session will help persons to solve problems and set goals to improve health. 

Participants are welcome to bring a supporter to the sessions. 

Please help in promoting this free program by sharing this notice with persons you know who may be interested.  To register for the program CALL 632-3927 

Thanks in advance for your assistance in promoting the program. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 940-2557.

Thanks,

Vince Sansregret

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA)

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Program helps people to Get Better Together!

By: Erin Madden / Volunteers 26/10/2009 

 Wellness Centre volunteers June Weedmark, Lanny Swistun and Bernie Baisarowicz. BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREE PRESS.MB.CA 

Between them they've got a long list of health ailments and conditions, but they're not letting that get them down.  

In fact, it's quite the opposite.  

Lanny Swistun, June Weedmark and Bernie Baisarowicz volunteer together as group leaders for the Get Better Together! program.  

The six-week program, supported by the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks Hospital and run at locations across Winnipeg, helps participants with a disease, illness or other chronic health condition in managing and taking control of their health. It offers tips on pain management, eating healthy, exercise programs and dealing with frustrations.  

"When they start the program, they've got the chronic condition -- they may have just been diagnosed or just gone through it -- and everyone is telling them what to do," said Swistun, a West Kildonan grandfather, who has been diagnosed with epilepsy and scoliosis and suffered through a stroke and a heart attack.  

"Their family is telling them what to do, the doctors are telling them what to do, the druggists are telling them what to do. We show them the other side -- that they can take control. You're the quarterback and you take control of all this stuff."  

Weedmark, a North End great-grandmother who has diabetes and osteoporosis and went through treatment for lung cancer, said the program is also extremely effective at helping participants deal with fear. Often, she said, the participants are unsure of how to cope with their condition and are fearful of the outcome.  

"Fear is the worst thing for everybody," said Weedmark. "(This program) keeps them out of the doctor's office. They're not rushing to the doctor's all the time, because they've got something to look at, or people to be with who will help them," she said.  

A former Canada Post employee and 10-year Wellness Institute volunteer, Baisarowicz was initially a participant in the program. After seeing the difference it made with his own health management, he became a volunteer group leader.  

Baisarowicz said that those going through the program are always extremely grateful to both the leaders and the others in the group. "It's just a change of an attitude," said the West Kildonan grandfather, who has had angina and a hip replacement and who suffers through chronic sleep apnea. "They come not knowing what to expect, and by the time they leave here, they're happy."  

The three leaders said they have all taken away so much from the group sessions. 

"I found it very good because it helped with the depression -- just knowing that there are other people out there like you, and they go home when they've been helped by what you teach them. That makes me happy, that I'm able to do that," said Weedmark.  

For more information about the program or to volunteer, contact Dawn Ziemanski at 632-3922 or by email at dziemanski@sogh.mb.ca.

Learn to Lead Stop Smoking Workshops

The Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative (CDPI) wishes to extend an invitation to the community to register for the upcoming FREE workshop hosted by the Tobacco Cessation sub-committee of CDPI.  

The purpose of this workshop will be to provide attendees with information and practices about smoking cessation and prevention initiatives.  By participating in this workshop attendees will also have the opportunity to be automatically registered for future free smoking cessation group facilitator training that will be scheduled in February 2010. 

Workshop Title: "Tobacco Cessation and Prevention: What works - a Best Practices  overview"

Date: Tuesday January 19, 10:00 - 3:00 PM (FREE lunch and refreshments included)

Workshop Description: This workshop will provide participants with information about evidenced based best practices and methods that have been proven to aid in helping persons to quit smoking and in preventing tobacco use.  This workshop will be facilitated by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's Lifelong Wellness Program Specialist.  A representative from the Smokers Helpline will also be participating in the workshop.

Location: North End Wellness Centre - 363 McGregor St.

Who should attend:  Anyone interested in learning more about smoking cessation and prevention practices and who are also interested in developing a stronger capacity to facilitate and lead future smoking cessation and prevention initiatives in the community.

This workshop will also include information about upcoming CDPI community grant application intake dates and details to consider when applying for CDPI funding.

To register please contact Vince Sansregret, vsansregret@wrha.mb.ca or by tel. 940-2557

Thanks,

Vince Sansregret
Community Facilitator - Point Douglas Community Area
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA)
North End Wellness Centre - 2nd Floor, 363 McGregor Street  R2W 4X4
Tel: 940-2557  Cell: 801-7803  Fax: 940-2293
vsansregret@wrha.mb.ca   www.wrha.mb.ca
 

INVITATION

Join us for the Livin' it Up Wellness Program
at the North End Wellness Centre - 363 McGregor St. 

What is Livin' it Up?

Livin' it up is a wellness program for older adults.  The program focuses on Healthy Eating, and improved Physical Well Being. 

Livin' it up provides easy to understand nutrition information, physical activities, easy low cost healthy recipes, and food demonstrations you can try at home. 

Each week in addition to the topics, there will be a food recipe and physical activity demonstrated.  Participants will have a chance to win free nutrition prizes to take home.

Who leads the program?

The Community Nutritionist from the WRHA will be leading the program.

How long is the program, and is there a cost?

The program runs for six (6) weeks, for two (2) hours once a week, and there is NO cost for the entire program. 

What are the sessions of the Program?

Each week there will be a different topic covered. 

Session 1 - The ‘ins and outs’ of Fibre

Session 2 -  Food Resources, an “Apple a Day”. 

Session 3 - Calcium Education

Session 4 - Protein Power; lowering your blood cholesterol

Session 5 - Physical Activities

Session 6 - How to Read Labels

When will the Program start?

The program will run Thursday afternoons from 1:00 – 3:00.

The session dates are Dec.17, January 7, 14, 21, 28/2010. 

Light Refreshments and snacks are included at each program session.

How do I register?

Call Vince Sansregret at the North End Wellness Centre at #940-2557.