Connecting Care - Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network

Connecting Care 

Volume 2, NO. 1. 2010 

Inside: 

Stressed? Take a Laughter Holiday 

New Pain Management Clinic 

Depression Class Dispels Myths 

Working together to help you access care 

Connecting Care 1 

Take this 

copy home!

PSYCHOLOGISTS’ 

ASSOCIATION of ALBERTA 

Qualified Professionals 

Understanding People 

Finding Solutions 

Talk to someone who can help. 

Psychologists are qualified licensed and regulated 

professionals, who provide assessment, consultation 

and treatment for people of all ages. 

REFERRAL SERVICE: 

780-428-TALK (8255) in Edmonton 

403-246-TALK (8255) in Calgary 

1-888-424-0297 

Toll free anywhere in Alberta 

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm 

On-line Referral Service: 

www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca 

QUICK FACTS ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS 

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become 

thin and brittle 

leading to risk of fractures (hip, spine and wrist) 

1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men over 50 years of age have 

osteoporosis 

You may contact the Alberta Chapter for: 

• Additional information on Osteoporosis • 

• Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network • 

• Listing of support groups • 

• Speakers, displays & education sessions • 

• Volunteer opportunities • 

Telephone: 403 237-7022 

Email: alberta@osteoporosis.ca 

Website: www.osteoporosis.ca 

“Stand Tall and Speak Up for Your Bones!” 

every picture tells a story... 

To book appointments for all clinics call: 

• Central Booking: 

(403) 541-1200 

• Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) Booking: 

(403) 289-9269 

• Film and Report Line: 

(403) 717-1816 

Please Visit Our Website: 

www.efwrad.com 

We accept all service provider's requisitions 

Advanced Spinal Care Centre (MSK) 

G100-A, 2210 2nd Street SW 

Airdrie Clinic 

102, 217 Centre Avenue SW 

Beddington Towne Centre 

200, 8120 Beddington Boulevard NW 

Foothills Professional Building 

380, 1620 - 29th Street NW 

Gulf Canada Square 

300, 401 - 9th Avenue SW 

High River Hospital 

560, 9th Avenue West 

Maternal Fetal Medicine Centre (MFMC) 

100, 3280 Hospital Drive NW 

North Hill Centre 

265, 1632 - 14th Avenue NW 

Prostate Cancer Institute 

100, 1011 Glenmore Trail SW 

Southport Atrium Clinic 

A8, 10333 Southport Road SW 

2 Connecting Care

Connecting Care Magazine Volume 2, NO. 1. 2010 

Medical Director’s Message 

500, 1716 - 16th Avenue NW 

Calgary, AB T2M 0L7 

Phone: (403) 284-FPCN (3726) 

Fax: (403) 284-9518 

info@cfpcn.ca 

www.cfpcn.ca 

Table of Contents 

Medical Director’s Message.................3 

Background...........................................3 

Your Health. Your Team.......................4 

Take a Team Approach.........................6 

Pain Management Clinic......................8 

Hypertension.......................................10 

Riley Park Maternity Clinic................12 

Take a Laughter Holiday....................13 

New Depression Class........................15 

Dealing with Dementia.......................17 

Tips on Avoiding Falls........................20 

Smoke-free Journey............................22 

TrymGym...........................................24 

Calgary Foothills PCN Clinics...........25 

Calgary Foothills PCN Programs.......26 

Editor 

Art Director 

Publisher 

Published for CFPCN by: 

Paragon Publishing Inc. 

Calgary, Alberta 

Tel: 403.287.9818 

ads@paragonpublish.com 

www.paragonpublish.com 

Stephanie Baker 

CFPCN 

Communications Coordinator 

Richart Bocxe 

Jim Thornton 

All rights reserved ©2010 Printed in Canada 

Member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business 

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our PCN magazine, Connecting Care. 

Primary Care Networks are changing the way family doctors relate to each 

other and the government, but more importantly we are enhancing the treatment 

programs we can offer you, our patients. The articles in this magazine are 

designed to highlight services available to you and your family. New initiatives 

are constantly being developed which will be showcased in upcoming editions 

of Connecting Care. Please enjoy, and feel free to take a copy home with you. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Bill Hall 

Medical Director 

Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network 

Background 

Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) 

is an arrangement between a group of family 

physicians and Alberta Health Services-Calgary 

to provide primary care services to patients living 

in northwest Calgary and Cochrane. Created in 

2006 as part of the Primary Care Initiative of 

Alberta, the Calgary Foothills PCN’s mission is 

to enhance access and coordination of primary 

care for patients while improving the quality 

of professional life for community family 

physicians and allied health care professionals. 

Primary Care is the care patients receive at their first point of contact with 

the health care system, usually provided by family physicians or allied health 

care providers. Patients receive care for their everyday health needs, including 

health promotion and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. 

Connecting Care is a PCN publication aimed at educating patients of member 

physicians on new programs and initiatives available to them and their 

family. 

Connecting Care 3

Primary Care 

Networks. 

Your Health. 

Your Team. 

What is Primary Care? 

Primary Care is a term often used to describe the services you receive for 

your basic, everyday health needs, such as regular checkups, counseling, care 

for a chronic illness or health promotion. Primary Care often begins with your 

family physician, and can expand to include other health care professionals such 

as nurses, therapists, pharmacists, dietitians and others. These professionals 

work together and with you to help you better manage your health. 

Primary Care Networks help coordinate and support your health care 

team so you receive access to the care you need. 

The Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) is a network of family 

physicians - including your family doctor - whose goal is to help coordinate 

care for patients in northwest Calgary and Cochrane. Part of coordinating care 

is ensuring patients have faster and easier access to health care services. Many 

PCN member physicians now have one or more health care professionals 

providing services to patients in their offices. These professionals are called 

multidisciplinary team members, and can include pharmacists, dietitians, 

nurses, behavioural health consultants and chronic disease nurses. These 

multidisciplinary teams work closely with the family physician, providing 

additional support for patients who need help managing their health conditions. 

For more information about the role of multidisciplinary team members, check 

out page 6. 

As a patient of a PCN member physician, you are able to become better 

engaged in your primary care. 

The Calgary Foothills PCN provides a number of free group classes to 

patients of member physicians. Group classes range in topic from tobacco 

cessation to stress management techniques. The newest class is the PCN’s 

Depression class, a group session where participants meet with a behavioural 

health consultant to talk about the signs and symptoms of depression, what 

causes it and strategies and resources to help cope. For more information on 

the Depression class, check out page 15. A list of all available PCN programs 

can be found on page 26, or visit www.cfpcn.ca. q 


After Hours Clinic 

Available to patients of member physicians 

and people living in northwest 

Calgary and Cochrane needing medical 

attention after regular office hours. 

To make an appointment, call Health Link at 

403.943.5465 

Hours of Operation 

Weeknights: 5:00pm – 9:00pm 

Weekends & Holidays: 10:00am – 4:00pm 

The premises for the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network 

After Hours Clinic are supplied by: 

NorthWest Healthcare Properties is Canada’s largest private owner and 

manager of medical office buildings and healthcare facilities. Our national 

team of more than 200 real estate professionals is committed to providing 

healthcare tenants high quality space, service and value. NorthWest 

Healthcare Properties offers expertise in a number of complementary 

disciplines: 

• Tenant services and property operations 

• Healthcare leasing and marketing 

• Development and construction 

• Acquisitions and finance 

• Law and accounting 

• Strategy and business development 

Jason Shantz, Leasing Manager, Alberta 

1414 - 8th Avenue N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1B8 

T 403-282-9838 x 53 

F 403-220-9207 

C 403-830-8950 

E jason.shantz@nwhp.ca 

W www.nwhp.ca 


Chronic Disease Management 

Take a Team Approach 

to Your Health 

Having access to a team of health professionals in a Primary Care Network ensures that 

patients receive the right care, from the right health professional, at the right time. 


he PCN is a network 

Tof family physicians, 

including your doctor, who 

strives to support patients 

through new and innovative 

ways. 

One solution to providing you 

with comprehensive care is a 

multidisciplinary team. These 

teams are made up of health care 

professionals who work with your 

doctor to care for your health 

needs. Through a team approach, 

HEPATITIS B: 

First Aid with 

Contaminated Tools 

HEPATITIS A: 

Swimming in 

Contaminated Water 

ultimately, you, your family doctor 

and available multidisciplinary team 

members become partners to better 

manage your health. 

Multidisciplinary team members 

work with you in your doctor’s office 

or in another clinic nearby, and can 

consist of clinical pharmacists, 

behavioural health consultants, 

chronic disease management nurses, 

registered dietitians and respiratory 

therapists. Your doctor may have 

you meet with one or several team 

HEPATITIS A: 

Contaminated Salad 

HEPATITIS A: 

Contaminated Ice 

HEPATITIS HÉPATITE TE B B: 

: 

Contaminated Instruments ts de 

Spa soin Tools contaminés 

nés 

HEPATITIS B: 

New Sexual 

Relationships 

members to help you manage your 

particular health needs. If your doctor 

is a member of the Calgary Foothills 

PCN, talk to them about which 

multidisciplinary team members 

may be available to support you. q 

©Safia Khalfan, Clinical Pharmacist. 

Calgary Foothills Primary Care 

Network 

Multidisciplinary team 

members can assist you in 

the following ways: 

Chronic Disease Management Nurse: 

• Partner with you to develop a personal 

action plan for conditions such as 

diabetes, obesity, chronic pain, high 

blood pressure, congestive heart 

failure and high cholesterol. 

• Link you to community resources for 

education and exercise programs. 

Clinical Pharmacist: 

• Review each of your medications 

and supplements, how they work and 

when to take them. 

• Partner with you to develop a personal 

action plan. 

Respiratory Educator: 

• Partner with you to help you manage 

your asthma or COPD, review inhaler 

and device technique and assess lung 

function on all patients over six years 

of age. 

Hepatitis A and B are serious liver diseases that travellers can contract, even in popular 

Caribbean destinations. 

It’s almost impossible to predict where hepatitis risks might be hiding, and you could be 

exposed through simple activities. In fact, among travellers, most cases of hepatitis A occur 

while staying at high-quality resorts. The Canadian Immunization Guide recommends 

vaccination against hepatitis for travellers to all risk areas. 

Hepatitis A and B can sometimes be fatal. Once infected, you could spread the illness to 

others back home, even before you know you’re sick. Twinrix vaccination can help protect 

® 

you and your family against hepatitis A and B. 

Don’t take the chance. 

Ask your healthcare professional about Twinrix today. 

® 

For more information on hepatitis and liver health 

LIVERight. Learn how. Visit LIVER.ca 

The Only Dual Protection Against Hepatitis A & B 

www.twinrix.ca 

Twinrix® does not protect against hepatitis C and hepatitis E. The most common side effects reported with a 3 or 4 dose schedule are redness, swelling 

and pain at the site of injection, headache, malaise, nausea and fatigue. Twinrix® is a registered trademark, used under license by GlaxoSmithKline Inc. 

©2009 GlaxoSmithKline Inc. All rights reserved. 

Behavioural Health Consultant: 

• Partner with you to develop a 

short term intervention to manage 

depression, anxiety, insomnia, 

stress, life transitions, relationship 

difficulties, substance abuse and 

bereavement. 

• Help you develop health lifestyle 

goals including exercise, smoking 

cessation and weight management. 

Registered Dietitian: 

• Partner with you to improve your 

nutritional status and promote health. 

• Help you set goals for dietary changes 

related to conditions such as diabetes, 

thyroid conditions, digestive diseases, 

liver disease, cancer and prenatal 

concerns. 

76837_twinrix 1 4/30/09 11:50:13 AM 

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black 

Connecting Care 7 

OGILVY HEALTHWORLD LIVE: 4.75” x 6.75” BUILD DATE: Mar 31/09 CATEGORY: Magazine GALLEY:


New Pain 

Management 

Clinic Takes 

Team Approach 


Rosa is living with chronic 

pain. After sustaining 

injuries in three separate car 

collisions over a period of 

a year and a half, her body 

may have healed, but the 

pain still lingers. 

Each day is a challenge, as many 

chronic pain sufferers will attest to. 

Chronic pain is defined as persistent 

pain that lasts more than six months, 

and can affect all parts of our body 

from muscles and joints to nerves 

and circulation. Many chronic pain 

sufferers will never be rid of their 

pain, and like Rosa, must learn how 

to manage one day at a time. 

The Alberta Health Services 

Chronic Pain Centre assisted the Calgary 

Foothills PCN to develop their 

new Pain Management Clinic. The 

Pain Management Clinic is available 

to treat patients with non-complex 

chronic pain, while freeing up 

the Alberta Health Services Chronic 

Pain Centre to see more complex 

cases. Rosa's family doctor made the 

referral to Pain Management Clinic 

and within two months she met with 

Yolanda Martens Van-Hilst, Chronic 

Pain Lead, for an initial consultation. 

“[Yolanda and I] discussed what I 

had gone through, what I am going 

through and the pain and frustration 

that I am experiencing to what 

I would like to achieve [in the future].” 

says Rosa. 

From there Rosa met with a team 

of professionals including a physiotherapist, 

pharmacist, physiologist 

and a behavioural health consultant 

to help her learn how to manage her 

pain on a daily basis. Her experience 

with each team member allowed her 

to better understand the far reaching 

effects of pain on her body, from reduced 

mobility to her mental health. 

“I have a hard time talking. I don’t 

like to bother people…with my problems. 

It was great to hear [the team] 

say they believe what I am going 

through…and that it is not in my 

head.” 

Part of Rosa’s treatment at the 

clinic included learning techniques 

to manage her pain on a daily basis, 

including physiotherapy exercises, 

proper use of prescription medications 

and the importance of physical 

activity. “Stretching and keeping 

mobile is the key,” says Rosa, ”no 

matter how much pain I am in, I do 

not give up on keeping mobile.” As 

Rosa’s treatment at the clinic comes 

to an end, she leaves with the tools 

she needs to successfully deal with 

her pain. For her, the most valuable 

part of working with the team at the 

Pain Management Clinic is her new 

outlook on how to manage her pain. 

“The program has helped me realize 

that this will be a lifetime issue with 

me and has me looking at it differently 

and understanding it better.” 

Patients can be referred to the Pain 

Management Clinic by a family doctor 

who is a member of the Calgary 

Foothills Primary Care Network. If 

you're experiencing chronic pain, 

talk to your family doctor about 

available treatment options and 

whether the Pain Management Clinic 

is right for you. q 

By Cathy Arcega 

Why wait? We have short wait times 

for all appointments. 

Ultrasound, Mammography, Bone Density & X-Ray. 

403.726.9729 

www.pureformdiagnostics.com 



Ten things you didn’t know 

about high blood pressure 

(hypertension) 

by Dr. Rick Ward 

1. If you live long enough… 

…you’ll likely get high blood pressure! 

Just about 

everyone has high blood pressure by age 90. There 

are many things you can do to prevent from getting 

hypertension. Maintaining a healthy weight, regular 

activity, eating a heart healthy diet, not smoking and 

moderate alcohol intake reduces your risk of developing 

high blood pressure. What you can’t do is change your 

genetics. If one or both of your parents have high blood 

pressure you are at increased risk. 

2. Reading that ‘top’ number 

A common misconception is that the ‘top’ blood pressure 

number (or systolic reading) increases harmlessly with 

age. In fact, the blood pressure reading that is most 

correlated with heart attack, stroke and death is isolated 

systolic hypertension - a high ‘top number’ and a low 

‘bottom number’. Systolic blood pressures above 140 

in most people should be treated with medication and 

lifestyle changes to reduce risk of heart attack or stroke. 

3. When your doctor takes your blood 

pressure 

Proper measurement is essential to evaluate blood pressure 

accurately. To do this, you should be sitting quietly, no 

talking 5 minutes before, feet flat on floor with a fully 

supported arm resting at the level of your heart. Think of 

your visits to your doctor’s office and how infrequently 

all these conditions occur. Many physicians encourage 

home blood pressure readings with certified monitors and 

have patients bring in a record of their readings. 

4. Take your blood pressure when you’re 

feeling well 

High blood pressure has been called the silent killer – 

there are seldom any symptoms. A common situation 

is for patients to take their blood pressure when they 

are feeling stressed, tired or sick. The body’s natural 

response to these conditions is to increase blood pressure 

and pulse. These blood pressure readings do not mean 

you have hypertension – just that you need to have your 

blood pressure taken when you are feeling well. 

5. Firefighters do more than fight fires 

In Calgary, our firefighters offer a blood pressure screening 

program for the public. You can get your blood pressure 

checked by a trained firefighter at any community fire 

hall from 1:00 to 9:00 pm. This unique and progressive 

program increases the access of good blood pressure 

assessment for Calgarians. 

6. Your choice – another pill or throwing out 

the saltshaker 

Following a low salt, heart healthy diet is as effective as 

taking medication to lower blood pressure. The DASH diet 

is a balanced, effective strategy to lower blood pressure 

naturally. Information on the DASH diet – one that is rich 

in fresh fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products and low 

in saturated fats – can be found by visiting www.cfpcn. 

ca and clicking on Patient Resources. Healthy eating and 

avoiding salt (sodium) containing foods should be the first 

step in reducing blood pressure. While modification of 

your diet will help control your blood pressure, don’t stop 

your BP medications unless directed by your physician. 

7. Automatic machines at the pharmacy 

Two things are coming together – better technology and 

increased emphasis on obtaining blood pressure readings 

outside of the physicians’ office. If you do not have a 

blood pressure monitor at home, the machines at the 

pharmacy or a viable option. If you are concerned about 

readings that seem higher than you would expect, visit a 

fire station or ask your pharmacist. 

8. Blood pressure medications are effective 

While all medications have the potential for causing side 

effects, the most common effects associated with taking 

blood pressure medication is lowered blood pressure and 

living longer. In the last 15 years since the widespread 


acknowledgement and treatment of elevated blood 

pressure, the rate of stroke and heart attack has decreased 

dramatically. 

9. One little pill should do it 

The majority of patients in clinical studies require 2 – 

3 blood pressure medications to treat blood pressure to 

appropriate targets. What should your blood pressure 

be? Target blood pressure for people without diabetes 

when taken outside the doctors’ office is 135/85. Target 

blood pressures for those with diabetes are less than this – 

consult your family doctor. 

10. There are resources available to help you 

manage your blood pressure 

Living Well with a chronic condition 

A self-management workshop for people with longterm 

conditions including hypertension. 

To register, call AHS Calgary at: (403) 9-HEALTH 

Ask a Dietitian Group Session 

A group appointment with a registered dietitian who 

will address personal nutrition questions. 

To register, call CFPCN at: 403-284-3726 

Personal Action Plan 

A clinical pharmacist or chronic disease nurse can 

partner with you to develop a personal action plan to 

manage hypertension. 

If your doctor is a member of the PCN, talk to 

them about which health care provider may be 

available to assist you. 

For more information on high blood pressure, visit www. 

hypertension.ca 

Written by Dr. Richard Ward, Senior Medical Lead, 

Practice Innovation and External Relations 

The Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network acknowledges 

sanofi-aventis Canada for its financial support in this initiative. 

This article was independently researched and written, 

and was not influenced by the sponsoring company. 

To lower your blood pressure, limit your 

food choices to achieve a 2-gram sodium 

diet. Food to AVOID include – 

Breads, cereals, rice and pasta: 

• Breads, rolls and crackers with salted tops 

• Quick breads 

• Instant hot cereals 

• Pancakes 

• Commercial (store-bought) bread stuffing, self-rising 

flour and biscuit mixes 

• Commercial breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, or bread 

stuffing 

• Rice or pasta mixes 

Fruits and vegetables: 

• Fruits processed with salt or sodium-containing 

ingredients, such as some dried fruits 

• Regular canned vegetables 

• Sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, and others prepared 

in brine 

• Frozen vegetables in sauces 

• Vegetables seasoned with ham, bacon, or salt pork 

• Commercially prepared potato mixes 

Meats and meat products: 

• Smoked, cured, salted, koshered, or canned meat, 

fish or poultry, including bacon, chipped beef, cold 

cuts, ham, hot dogs, sausage, sardines, anchovies, 

crab, lobster, imitation seafood, marinated herring, 

and pickled meats and frozen breaded meats 

• Pickled eggs 

• Processed cheese, cheese spreads, and sauces 

• Salted nuts 

Beverages and soups: 

• Malted milk, milkshake and chocolate milk 

• Regular vegetable or tomato juice 

• Commercially softened water (for drinking or 

cooking) 

• Regular canned or dehydrated soups 

• Broths and bouillon 

Fats, desserts and sweets: 

• Regular salad dressings containing bacon fat, bacon 

bits, and salt pork 

• Snack dips made with instant soup mixes or 

processed cheese 

• Instant pudding mixes and cake mixes 

Seasonings, sauces, mixes, and other foods: 

• Seasoning made with salt including garlic salt, celery 

salt, onion salt, and seasoned salt 

• Sea salt, rock salt, kosher salt, meat tenderizers and 

monosodium glutamate (MSG) 

• Regular soy sauce, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, 

steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and most 

flavoured vinegars 

• Canned gravy and mixes, regular condiments and 

salted snack foods 

• Olives 


Obstetrical Care 

Riley Park Maternity 

Clinic supports mothers 

in post-natal care 

Having a baby changes 

your life in so many 

ways. 

The Calgary Foothills Primary 

Care Network’s Riley Park Maternity 

Clinic (formally the Obstetrics 

Centre) aims to support patients in 

northwest Calgary through each 

step. Comprised of four obstetrics 

clinics, the clinic goes beyond basic 

medical care to provide support 

in mental health issues, lactation, 

prenatal classes and social services. 

Through this approach, patients 

receive comprehensive care 

from pregnancy all the way 

to the first few weeks of 

motherhood. 

Paola Ulloa, who was 

referred to the Riley Park 

Maternity Clinic by her 

family doctor, gave birth to 

a healthy girl on November 

13, 2009. Since this was her 

second child, she thought 

she had it all under control 

but soon realized she’d 

forgotten some of the 

basics, like breastfeeding. 

Fortunately, Paola was able 

to meet with a lactation 

consultant available 

through a partnership with 

the Riley Park Maternity 

Clinic. “I met with Dr. 

Woolgar, who helped me 

with breastfeeding my first 

daughter. [She] exudes 

12 Connecting Care 

confidence, which boosts mine, so 

I’m so glad I was able to meet with 

her again.” 

Dr. Mary-Jo Woolgar has been 

a physician for 16 years. Now as 

a Lactation Consultant, her past 

experience with obstetrical care and 

deliveries means she’s familiar with 

the whole process. “I really enjoy 

what I do because I can almost 

always help fix the problem. Often, 

Mom and Dad come in unhappy and 

worried. But they all leave happy,” 

she says with a smile. 

“There’s such a wealth of 

information here,” says Paola, when 

asked about her experience with staff 

at the clinic. “Dr. Woolgar is great – 

and the whole staff here too. It’s very 

empowering to have a whole group 

of experienced professionals back 

you up. Their support [has been] 

tremendous.” 

Patients can self refer to the clinic, 

or be referred by their family doctor. 

For more information, see page 25. q 

By Kavi Mohan

Mental Health 

Stressed? 

Take a Laughter Holiday 

Are you stressed? Overworked? Need a holiday? 

“Laughter is an instant vacation,” Milton Berle once quipped. 


Mental Health continued 

Laughter boosts endorphins, 

regulates blood 

pressure, increases oxygen, 

and helps to reduce stress 

and tension. 

When combining specific 

laughter exercises, deep yogic 

breathing, gentle stretching, rhythm 

exercises, child like spontaneity 

and visualization - we have 


Laughter Yoga, a rapidly spreading 

phenomenon. Starting in Mumbai, 

India with founder Madan Kataria 

MD, Laughter Yoga has spread to 

over 60 countries. 

It is relatively new to Calgary. 

Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher Fif 

Fernandes and Certified Laugher 

Yoga Leader Hamish Boyd cofounded 

Laugher Yoga Canada and 

have been facilitating sessions since 

2007 in hospitals and health care 

settings, educational institutions, 

community organizations and 

corporate Calgary. Fernandes, 

a Therapeutic Clown on staff at 

the Alberta Children’s Hospital 

uses laughter yoga techniques 

with patients, families and staff 

in Emergency and in-patient units 

every day. 

Fernandes says part of what you 

learn in Laughter Yoga is that you 

don’t need jokes or comedy to laugh. 

“Whether you are 2 or 102 years 

old, you can laugh for no reason and 

still gain enormous health benefits”. 

Laughter sessions start with group 

exercises to create simulated 

laughter. Using their imaginations, 

participants may travel to a beach in 

Hawaii where they greet each other 

with Alohahahaaa laughter followed 

by deep yogic breathing using all the 

senses to bring in the sweet aroma of 

island flowers. Although participants 

may have to fake laugh at first, it soon 

turns into the real thing. “It never 

takes long before people naturally 

become fully engaged, and it’s often 

hard to calm them down to move on 

to deep breathing of the fresh salt sea 

air”, says Fernandes. 

If you’re skeptical about the 

health benefits of laughter, Boyd is 

quick to suggest another benefit of 

the exercise. “Laughter promotes 

community by bringing people 

together. Laughter is contagious; 

it’s meant to be shared”. Whether 

you’re in it for community building 

or just to open your lungs for some 

deep and refreshing breaths, you can 

join the growing number of people in 

the laughter movement, with several 

groups sprouting up in Calgary. 

Visit www.laughteryoga-canada. 

org or call 403-685-9846 for more 

information. 

So the next time you need a 

vacation from the stress in your life – 

take a laughter break. You’ll be glad 

you did! q

Mental Health 

New Depression Class 

Dispels Myths 

Depression is one of the most common 

mental health disorders affecting Canadians 

today. 

Unfortunately, due to public misconceptions, many 

people may not recognize they are suffering from depression. 

Calgary Foothills PCN now offers a free group 

information session for patients whose family doctor is 

a member of the PCN. During the session, participants 

learn about depression, signs and symptoms, causes, and 

how to cope. 

“The focus is on helping people understand depression,” 

says Debra McDougall, a behavioural health consultant 

who helps teach the class. She says the class covers 

signs and symptoms, the different kinds of depression, 

how a patient would be diagnosed and other conditions 

that commonly occur with depression. 

“I think sometimes depression can be a confusing term 

for people,” says McDougall. “It’s often used in day to 

day language to describe all kinds of moods. I think people 

are often confused about what depression actually is. 

Only when you know what you’re dealing with can you 

do something about it, and this class aims to do just that: 

educate.” 

Depression is characterized by a sad, despairing mood, 

a loss of interest and feelings of uselessness, hopelessness 

and guilt. Other symptoms include changes in appetite, 

fatigue, irritability and trouble concentrating. The signs 

and symptoms of depression are different for each individual. 

An important benefit of the class is the ability for loved 

ones of those dealing with symptoms of depression to attend 

with them. “Depression is a very common experience,” 

says McDougall, “It has very far-reaching implications 

for individuals, their families, their ability to cope in 

the workplace and manage their lives. Therefore, it’s very 

important to encourage people to surround themselves 

with a strong support system if they’re dealing with depression”. 

Class sizes are kept small with only 10 people per session 

to provide time for discussion and questions. 

The class also works as a place to help change perceptions 

related to depression. “Many people are reluctant to 

admit they could be struggling with depression for fear 

of judgment from others,” says McDougall. “If we can 

break through the stigma and open up the conversation so 

people can recognize signs of depression and ask for help, 

then I think we’ve done a service.” 

The depression class runs on the fourth Wednesday every 

month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, and is available to 

patients of physicians who are members of the Calgary 

Foothills PCN. Participants can register for the class by 

calling 403-284-3726, or by referral from their family 

physician. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of 

depression, contact your family physician. q 

By Laura Lushington 


When you need to know. 

Relax, you’re 

in good hands. 

We have been providing expert 

radiology services for over 50 years. 

Diagnostic MRI & CT exams – 

without the wait. 

• The same MRI and CT services provided in 

public hospitals – without the wait. 

• Alberta’s first private 64-slice 

Coronary CT Angiography 

• X-ray 

• Mammography 

• Fluoroscopy 

• Image-Guided Pain Therapy 

• Bone Densitometry 

• Ultrasound 

• Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy 

• Vascular Centre 

• Echocardiography 

• Myocardial Perfusion Imaging 

• Nuclear Imaging 

• Exercise Stress Testing 

To book an appointment call 

403.777.3000 (7:30 am – 5:00 pm) 

www.radiology.ca 

• Early detection of heart, lung and 

colon disease 

Call 403.777.4MRI (4674) 

www.mayfairdiagnostics.com 


Seniors Health 

Memory Loss - 

Is it Dementia? 

Kim Presiloski addresses your questions about dementia 

Mary, an 83 year old mother and grandmother, is starting to forget things she used to remember. She 

now needs to keep a detailed calendar for appointments, is having trouble keeping track of her cards at 

bridge night, and struggles with 

familiar names. Mary’s family 

members are worried about 

her condition. Her daughter 

notices Mary can’t remember 

her famous pumpkin pie recipe, 

and her grandson observes 

that she’s repeating the same 

jokes and stories. Are these 

normal ‘senior’s moments’? Is 

it dementia? What should they 

do? Finding out what is wrong 

is the first step to getting help. 

Q: How does aging change the 

brain? 

The effect of aging on memory 

is different for each person. Many 

people experience slower information 

processing and difficulty concentrating 

as they age. This is due to 

a decrease in nerve cells in the brain. 

Long term and remote memories are 

not usually affected by aging, but recent 

memories may be affected. This 

means it may be more difficult to 

learn new information, and once new 

information is stored, it may take longer 

to retrieve it from memory. These 

changes, called age-related cognitive 

decline, are normal and are not considered 

to be signs of dementia. 

Q: What is dementia? 

Dementia is the loss of mental 

ability that affect your daily activities. 

Changes or damage to the brain 

cause a person’s mental ability to de- 


Seniors Health continued 

in your mind) 

• Keep a detailed calendar 

• Put important items, such as your 

keys, in the same place every time 

• Repeat names when you meet new 

people 

• Do activities that involve new 

learning 

• Exercise 

• Play mind games (crosswords, 

number and word puzzles) 

• Keep up hobbies 

• Eat a healthy balanced diet 

• See your doctor for regular checkups 

• Maintain your social life; get involved 

Q: What resources are there in 

Calgary for dementia support? 

teriorate, including loss of memory, 

intellect, language, reasoning, socials 

skills, and normal emotional reactions. 

Most people with dementia 

are over the age of 65. 

Q: Is there a difference between dementia 

and normal memory loss? 

The key difference between normal 

memory problems and dementia 

is that normal memory loss doesn’t 

deteriorate significantly over time. 

Dementia is a progressive condition, 

meaning it gets worse over a period 

of several months to several years. 

Q: Are there different forms of dementia? 

There are many different forms 

of dementia. The most common 

is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts 

for approximately half of all 

dementia cases. Vascular dementia 

is also a common form, caused by 

strokes or poor blood flow to the 

brain. Other forms include frontotemporal 

dementia which typically 

results in damage to the part of the 

brain that is responsible for behaviour 

and personality. Dementia with 

Lewy bodies (DLB) is caused by abnormal 

protein deposits in the brain 

that disrupt normal brain functions 

such as thinking and behaviour. Each 

form of dementia has its own pattern 

of symptoms, and correct diagnosis 

is important to determine appropriate 

treatment options. 

Q: When should you see the doctor? 

If you have concerns about memory 

loss you should see a doctor or 

health professional as soon as possible. 

These symptoms may occur 

because of a separate medical issue, 

which is often treatable. However, if 

the memory loss is due to dementia, 

it’s important to get an early diagnosis 

to help stop the progression of 

memory loss. 

Q: What sort of things can help with 

remembering? 

Almost everyone is interested in 

improving their memory. Fortunately, 

the most powerful ways are also 

the easiest to do. 

• Keep lists 

• Follow a routine 

• Make associations (connect things 

Alzheimer Society of Calgary 

www.alzheimercalgary.com, 

403-290-0110 

Seniors Resource Society - 

Calgary 

www.calgaryseniors.org, 

403-266-6200 

Calgary Health Link 

403-943-5465 

Inform Alberta 

www.informalberta.ca 

Kerby Centre 

403-265-0661 

By Kim Presiloski RN, BScN BNC(c) 

Nurse Clinician, Consultation 

Liaison Psychiatry Rockyview 

General Hospital q 

The Calgary Foothills Primary Care 

Network would like to thank Pfizer Canada 

for their collaboration in this initiative. 


Top 10 Warning Signs and Symptoms 

of Dementia 

1) Difficulty performing familiar tasks 

Becoming persistently challenged by buttons or other daily tasks 

2) Memory loss affecting day-to-day function 

Frequent forgetfulness beyond just forgetting someone’s name 

3) Problems with language 

Having trouble pronouncing simple words or forming sentences 

4) Disorientation to time and place 

Forgetting how you got to a destination or how to get back home 

5) Poor or decreased judgement 

Paying less attention to grooming, or dressing inappropriately, such as wearing heavy 

clothes on a hot day 

6) Problems with abstract thinking 

Forgetting what numbers are for or how to use them 

7) Misplacing things 

Putting a wallet in the refrigerator, or keys in the sink 

8) Changes in mood and behaviour 

Rapid mood changes - from calm to tears to anger - for no apparent reason 

9) Changes in personality 

Changes such as paranoia, confusion, withdrawal, or fearfulness 

10) Loss of initiative 

Avoiding social activities or losing interest in hobbies 

Bringing a completed version of this list to your doctor’s appointment provides a useful 

basis for further discussion and tests. This is typically followed by a physical exam and 

procedures such as memory tests, brain scans and laboratory tests. 

*Resource: Alzheimer’s Society of Canada 




Tips for Older Adults on 

Avoiding Falls 

While falls are a serious problem for seniors, there are things you can do to minimize your 

risk of falling. Visit the Finding Balance website for more tips about avoiding falls. 

www.findingbalancealberta.ca 

Review Your Medications 

Some medications such as those 

that help you sleep can increase your 

risk of falling. This is particularly true 

if they are combined with alcohol. 

Have your doctor or pharmacist 

review your medications at least once 

a year. Bring prescriptions, overthe-counter 

pills, vitamins, herbal 

supplements and any other pills with 

you when you do the review. 

Keep Active 

Regular physical activity can make 

you stronger, improve your balance 

and help prevent falls. Ask your 

doctor or health care provider about 

the best type of activity for you. You 

should try to be active for at least 30 

minutes most days of the week. Ideal 

activities include weight bearing 

and balance, such as walking, stair 

climbing and tai chi, and activities 

that improve flexibility and strength, 

such as stretching and lifting light 

weights. 

Watch Your Step 

Many falls occur because of 

slipping or tripping, especially if you 

are distracted or rushed. Try to make 

your home as safe as possible by: 

• Tacking down loose carpets 

• Using rugs with non-skid backing 

and/or having no slip decals or a 

rubber mat in your tub or shower 

• Keeping pathways, halls and 

stairways clear of clutter and well 

lit 

• Having hand rails on both sides 

of stairs and grab bars in your 

bathroom 

Be alert. Avoid rushing and doing 

too many things at once. Look out 

for pets. Watch out for ice, cracks 

and uneven surfaces while walking. 

Use a walking aid if you have 

balance problems - talk to your health 

care provider about which aid is right 

for you. Wear shoes that support your 

feet and help you keep your balance. 

In winter think of traction devices 

for your shoes and an ice-pick for the 

end of your cane. 

Tell Your Doctor or Health Care 

Provider If You Have Fallen 

If you fall, let your doctor or health 

care provider know right away. They 

can help you figure out why you 

have fallen and whether you may be 

prone to more falls. They can check 

your balance, leg strength, vision, 

examine how you walk, and make 

sure your blood pressure doesn’t 

drop when you stand. Based on what 

is found they may suggest therapies 

that can decrease your chances of 

having more falls. 

Look After Your Health 

Many health problems can increase 

your chances of falling. Make sure 

you look after your general health. 

Don’t neglect yourself. Have your 

eyes checked every year as vision 

is important in maintaining your 

balance. q 

Cathy Harbidge is the Clinic 

Coordinator/Physiotherapist at the 

Calgary Fall Prevention Clinic. 

Dr. David B. Hogan is the Medical 

Director for the Calgary Fall 

Prevention Clinic. 


Population Health 

Smoke-free Journey 

Tobacco Cessation Program helps patients lead a smoke-free life 

Smoking remains the most preventable 

cause of disease and premature death in 

Canada. 

More than 37,000 people die prematurely each year 

in Canada due to tobacco use. 1 The Calgary Foothills 

Primary Care Network is doing its part to reduce that 

number. The Network’s Tobacco Cessation Program 

offers three free sessions that use a multi-faceted 

approach, combining group support, pharmaceutical 

access and educational material to help patients quit 

smoking. 

Since its inception, one of the program’s goals has 

been to change the way individuals are invited to quit. 

Physicians approach their patients on a regular basis, 

asking them if they use tobacco and if they are ready 

to quit. Research shows that the chance of spontaneous 

quit increases by 2% each time a person is approached 

about quitting tobacco. And with spontaneous quits 

of around 15% and long-term quit rates averaging 

between 27% – 38%, (numbers that are higher 

than the usual expectations), it’s needless to say the 

Network’s Tobacco Cessation Program is gradually 

achieving what it has set out to do. 

What distinguishes this program from others 

of its kind? First is the utilization of a technique 

called Motivational Interviewing (MI). This method 

recognizes that most people who are considering or 

facing change are usually unsure and hesitant about 

that change. 

“[MI] is about helping patients discover their own 

reasons and motivations to want to quit smoking, 

rather than telling them what to do. Then it’s using 

those reasons to assist them in finding their own path 

to a smoke-free future”, says Sue Slaght, Manager 

of the Tobacco Cessation program. “This approach 

proves to be more successful, with higher quit rates 

than the traditional lecture approach”. 

The second is the involvement of the family 

physician. Due to ongoing communication between the 

program facilitator and the patient’s family doctor, the 

physician becomes a part of the quitting process and 

support system. “Our program is different by design. 

The involvement of the family physician is a very 

unique concept. Physicians believe in our program 

and the patients believe in their physicians, so when 

the doctor suggests something, people tend to listen,” 

says Slaght. 


Naser Khan, a former participant, accredits his 

achievement to the program. “The course was an eye 

opener for me that clearly portrayed how difficult it 

was to stop smoking. I learned that only 3% actually 

succeed in quitting smoking if they do it without any 

help. That was an eye opener because I thought that I 

was just going to quit [whenever I wanted].” 

Medication can also be integrated into group 

sessions through involvement of the family physician. 

After attending the program’s second of three sessions 

– Medications and Strategies that Work, Naser chose 

the nicotine inhaler to help quit smoking. “It allowed 

me to go through the motions as if I was smoking...and 

it worked for me”. The combination of group sessions 

and medication has been shown to significantly 

increase quit rates. 

Blaine Ruttan, another former participant who has 

now been smoke-free for over one year, also had great 

things to say about the program. 

“The hardest thing to do is to try to quit by yourself. 

The program helped me a great deal and it made 

me feel less alone… it was my turn to quit and this 

program just did a fantastic job for me… this program 

is just going to get better.” 

And better it will be. With January 2010 marking 

the program’s two-year anniversary, it has already 

grown from one small class of 12 participants to 52 

classes, and over 1,000 referrals. In the next year it 

is expected to expand even further with a growing 

number of classes and locations, as well as attention 

from Alberta Health Services and other Primary Care 

Networks. 

As the program continues to grow, Sue Slaght says 

the feedback makes it all worthwhile. “When I run 

into a patient who tells me about the success they’ve 

had, or when a physician appreciates the availability 

of the program, that’s when I know we’re reaching 

our goals.” 

Referrals to the program must be made by family 

doctors within the Calgary Foothills PCN. For 

more information, talk to your doctor, or visit www. 

smokefreejourney.ca. q 

By Jag Kaur 

1 "Government of Canada Announces Tobacco Cessation Programs for Mount Royal University 

Students and Staff", Oct 23, 2009, www.hc-sc.gc.ca 



TrymGym: Take Control of 

Your Health this Year 

Once again the holidays 

are well behind us, 

and so are many of our 

well-intended New Year’s 

resolutions to eat healthier 

or lose the holiday weight. 

Why do these resolutions never seem 

to make it past February? What’s 

the secret to losing weight and 

actually keeping it off? The answer 

to our post-resolution woes is a fullbody 

approach. Attaining long term 

fitness goals means re-evaluating 

your lifestyle and habits, from your 

weekly schedule, to what you eat and 

even how you think about yourself. 

This may seem daunting, but there 

are plenty of resources available to 

help you succeed this year. Consider 

joining TrymGym, an eight week 

program through the University of 

Calgary that focuses on the full-body 

approach, from achieving your goals 

to maintaining a healthy lifestyle 

throughout the year. Since 1972, 

TrymGym has assisted more than 

15,000 people reach their goals. A 

Calgary Foothills PCN patient called 

TrymGym, “a fun and educational 

way to learn about your body, get fit 

and gain confidence”. If your doctor 

is a member of the Calgary Foothills 

PCN, you’ll even receive a discount 

when you register. 

TrymGym is a comprehensive 

program with three core components: 

nutrition education, behaviour change 

and physical activity, all of which are 

equally important to maintaining a 

healthy and balanced lifestyle. Over 

eight weeks, participants exercise 

twice a week and attend small group 

educational sessions that focus on 


behaviour change and nutrition. 

Exercise sessions are led by personal 

trainers who are Kinesiologists and 

Certified Exercise Physiologists 

with advanced certification through 

Canadian Society for Exercise 

Physiology. The advantage of a 

personal trainer to a home exercise 

video is the opportunity to discuss 

your individual goals with a 

professional, modify exercises to 

your own skill level, and receive 

encouragement and feedback on your 

progress. Participants also meet with 

a registered dietitian to learn about 

nutrition and develop individual 

guidelines for healthy eating. To 

round out the program, participants 

learn to change the way they think 

about healthy living, and leave with 

the tools to make fitness and nutrition 

a part of their daily routine. 

TrymGym’s success is due to their 

comprehensive approach to health. 

Participants finish the program with 

knowledge about their individual 

health needs and the tools to modify 

their lifestyle to support healthier 

habits. If this is your year to tackle 

that New Year’s resolution, talk 

to your family doctor for more 

information, or to register contact 

TrymGym at 403-220-4374 or 

trymgym@ucalgary.ca. 

“When I started the program I 

was so impressed with everyone 

involved with TrymGym. The trainers 

were very knowledgeable and 

encouraging, and the dietitians knew 

everything. TrymGym has given me 

the confidence to try new activities 

and commit to being active and 

healthy”. – Successful TrymGym 

participant. q 

By Kathleen Kranenburg, M. Kin.

Calgary Foothills PCN Clinics 

After Hours Care Clinic 

The After Hours Care Clinic is designed to provide on-call coverage for physicians after office hours, and is available to anyone 

living in northwest Calgary and Cochrane. 

Clinic Information 

Contact Information 

If your family physician is a member of the Calgary Foothills PCN, or if you do not 

have a family physician but live in northwest Calgary or Cochrane, you can make 

an appointment with the After Hours Clinic if you have a medical emergency after 

regular office hours. 

Follow-up appointments are done with the patient’s family doctor. For patients 

without a family doctor, follow-up appointments take place at the Calgary Foothills 

Primary Care Centre - Crowfoot. 

Available by appointment only. Call 

Health Link at 403.943.5465 

Weeknights: 5:00pm – 9:00pm 

Weekends & Holidays: 

10:00am – 4:00pm 

Calgary Foothills Primary Care Centre - Crowfoot 

The Calgary Foothills Primary Care Centre - Crowfoot is an interdisciplinary clinic designed to treat patients without a family doctor 

who have a chronic disease and live in northwest Calgary or Cochrane. 


Patients without a family doctor are accepted through any referral to the Centre, 

including self referral, emergency room, urgent care, home care, out-patient clinics, 

the PCN After Hours Clinic or Riley Park Maternity Clinic. The Centre also keeps 

a list of patients who do not have a family doctor, and will open the list as capacity 

allows to attach them to a doctor starting a practice. To fill out the waitlist form, go 

to www.cfpcn.ca and click on ‘Need a Doctor’. 


Calgary Foothills Primary Care Centre 

- Crowfoot 

201, 60 Crowfoot Crescent NW 

403.374.0244 

Pain Management Clinic 

The Pain Management Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic treating patients with non-complex chronic pain. 


Patients with non-complex chronic pain are referred to the Pain Management Clinic 

by their family doctor. Patients meet with a team of health care professionals who 

help them learn to manage their pain on a daily basis. 


Pain Management Clinic 

201, 60 Crowfoot Crescent NW 

403.374.0244 

Riley Park Maternity Clinic 

Riley Park Maternity Clinic strives to improve links in services between PCN physicians and Alberta Health Services - Calgary for 

the prenatal and postnatal care of patients with or without a family doctor. The clinic is comprised of four maternity clinics working 

together to care for maternity patients in northwest Calgary and Cochrane. 


Patients are often referred by their family doctor. Patients without a family doctor are 

encouraged to self-refer to the clinic. Riley Park Maternity offers two models of care: 

Early Referral Model 

Patients are referred by their family doctor and receive care from the clinic for the 

entire duration of their pregnancy. 

Shared Care Model 

Patients receive care from their family doctor until 28 weeks of pregnancy, when they 

are then referred to Riley Park Maternity Clinic for the duration of their pregnancy. 

This model allows for closer involvement of the patient’s family physician. 


Riley Park Maternity Clinic 

130, 1402 8th Avenue NW 

403.284.3711 


Calgary Foothills PCN Programs 


Chronic Disease Management provides care to patients with 

chronic diseases (diabetes, dyslipidemia, congestive heart failure, 

asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). 

Ask a Dietitian 

This group appointment allows you to meet with a registered dietitian 

who will address your personal nutrition questions. The 

appointment is free to patients of PCN member physicians. To 

register, call 403.284.3726 

Explain Pain 

Join this free group session to learn about the causes of pain, 

why pain persists, how pain affects the nervous system, and 

strategies to manage chronic pain. 

To register, call 403.374.0244 

In Office Multidisciplinary Teams 

Teams of medical professionals are being made available in 

physicians’ offices to assist patients living with chronic disease 

to optimize their health and wellbeing. Nurses, pharmacists, 

dietitians and respiratory therapists provide education 

on health management, and work with patients to achieve 

their health priorities. 

Living Well 

An Alberta Health Services Support Program providing education 

and peer led support for individuals with chronic disease or 

long term illnesses. Calgary Foothills PCN partners with Living 

Well to increase the number of available sites for courses to run 

in northwest Calgary. To register, call 9-HEALTH 


Provides comprehensive care to seniors and improves standards 

and transfer of care in long-term care facilities. 

Nurse Practitioner in Bethany Care Society 

Recently, Calgary Foothills PCN has hired a Nurse Practitioner 

to work in Bethany Care Society, a long-term care facility in 

Cochrane. The Nurse Practitioner assists the family physician 

to care for residents by providing direct patient care, communication 

and educational activities. 

In-Hospital Care 

Focuses on strengthening the continuity of care between patients 

who have been admitted to the Foothills Hospital and 

their family physicians. Patients of network physicians who are 

admitted to the hospital may be cared for by the PCN In-Hospital 

Care Service. Network physicians provide medical care, and 

two registered nurses coordinate the communication between 

family practice physicians and the hospital. 


The Population Health Program strives to enable family physicians 

to effectively identify and address the health needs of their 

communities. Population Health focuses specifically on health 

promotion, prevention of injury and illness, and improvement 

of screening rates. 

Walking Program 

The Walking Program is a peer led program based in Calgary 

and Cochrane to help promote healthy lifestyles and active living 

within a safe and social environment. 

Calgary Walking Program Cochrane Walking Program 

403.284.3726 Town of Cochrane 

programs@cfpcn.ca 403.851.2500 

TrymGym 

A program run through the University of Calgary, TrymGym 

offers group fitness classes for all individuals looking to lose 

weight and get fit. Participants meet with a personal trainer 

and dietitian to help achieve their fitness goals. Patients of 

member physicians receive a subsidy to offset the cost when 

they enroll. To register, call 403.220.4374 

Tobacco Cessation 

Patients of member physicians who are trying to quit smoking 

now have an opportunity to attend group Tobacco Cessation 

classes. The program combines educational information and 

information on medications to aid in quitting. 

Interested individuals should discuss enrollment with 

their family physician 

Mental Health 

Behavioural health consultants work alongside family physicians 

to care for patients with a wide range of mental health 

concerns. Behavioural health consultants have a variety of 

backgrounds including Nursing, Social Work, and Psychology, 

and are trained to help individuals address mental health and 

lifestyle issues affecting their health. 

Depression Class 

Learn the signs and symptoms of depression as well as available 

treatment options, resources and community supports. 

For more information call 403.284.3726, or email: 

programs@cfpcn.ca 

Stress Management Class 

A group class providing participants with strategies to effectively 

cope with stress on a daily basis. 

For more information call 403.284.3726, or email: 

programs@cfpcn.ca 


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Stress Management 

Many people who describe themselves 

as “just stressed” are actually suffering 

diagnosable anxiety or depression. 

The help of a registered psychologist 

can assist in managing life stressors and 

controlling symptoms of anxiety and 

depression. 

Cardiology for the 

Non-Cardiologist 

S A V E T H E D A T E 

2010 Continuing Medical Education Conference 

September 30 to October 3, 2010 

Rimrock Resort Banff, AB 

Escape to the mountains and learn about the latest 

developments in cardiology at the ninth Continuing Medical 

Education (CME) conference, presented by 

Cardiology Consultants of Calgary. 

For more information, please contact... 

This event is ideal for physicians in 

search of a practical, comprehensive 

review of the latest findings in 

cardiovascular disease management 

and provides treatment strategies for 

both acute and chronic care issues. 

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Making smart lifestyle choices is key to 

maintaining your health. 

So is having an Alberta Blue Cross 

individual health and dental plan. 

Alberta Blue Cross individual health and dental plans help you 

and your family stay healthy by providing practical benefits 

you’ll use on a regular basis. 

At the same time, you get affordable protection against the 

high cost of unexpected illness, accidents, ambulance trips and 

medical conditions. 

3 prescription drugs 3 ambulance 

3 dental care 3 extended health benefits 

3 vision care 3 accidental death benefit 

If you’re without employer-sponsored health benefits, we’ve got 

an individual health and dental plan to meet your needs... 

and your budget. 

If you’re age 65 or 

over, ask us about 

our affordable 

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Calgary 403-294-4032 

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vision dental prescription drugs ambulance extended health benefits

Connecting Care - Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network

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