Looking for forms, information, or helpful guides? You’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find a collection of commonly used patient resources, including downloadable forms, health education materials, and links to trusted websites. These tools are here to support your care, answer questions, and help you prepare for your appointments.

COVID – 19

Caring for Children with Respiratory Illness

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Most respiratory illness in children, including colds, influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and COVID-19 can be managed at home without the need for prescription medications. However, in some cases, it is important to seek medical care.

Call your family doctor if your child:

  • Has a fever lasting 72 hours or longer.
  • Has a fever that went away for a day or longer (without fever medication)

                and then came back.

  • Is unusually irritable and won’t stop fussing, even after treating their fever.
  • Has an earache lasting more than 48 hours.
  • Is not eating or drinking. Note that it’s normal to eat and drink less when sick. Liquids are more important than food.
  • Has special needs that make caring for them more difficult.

Call 911 or go to the emergency department when:

  • You are worried that your child is seriously ill.
  • Your infant, younger than three months old, has a fever.
  • Your child is struggling to breathe or is breathing faster than normal.
  • You are concerned that your child is at risk of dehydration or is dehydrated.

Health Connect Ontario has a symptom checker and the option to

chat live with a nurse. You can also call 811 to speak with a nurse, available 24 hours a day.

https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca/static/guest/symptom-assessment

Paxlovid Information:

What is paxlovid? An oral medication for people with mild covid who are at risk for severe outcomes to reduce risk of progression.

Am I eligible for paxlovid treatment?

Where can I get it?

Visit this site for this information

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-antiviral-treatment

You can also self-refer to the St Mary’s Covid Assessment Centre by calling 519-744-3311 ext. 1083

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/community-assessment-centres.aspx

What to do if exposed to COVID-19?

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/exposed

Covid-19 Self Assessment

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment

Self isolation guidelines for Covid-19

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/factsheet-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate.pdf?la=en

Confused About Covid

The ‘Confused about COVID? Family doctors answer your questions’ series offers patients and the public trustworthy advice about protecting their health and how family doctors can help.

https://dfcm.utoronto.ca/confused-about-covid

Getting Your Covid Test Results

Public Health receives all positive results and will contact you directly if you test positive for having COVID-19.You can access your test results:

  • Online at Ontario’s COVID-19 test results website
  • Online through laboratory portals you are subscribed to (e.g. Life Labs or Dynacare)
  • By contacting your primary care provider
  • By contacting the Assessment and Testing Centre where you were tested

Covid Vaccines

Covid-19 Bivalent Boosters

Compared to the original mRNA vaccine: Early data in adults shows the updated bivalent vaccines help your body make more antibodies to fight COVID-191 and have similar mild side effects (e.g., sore arm, fatigue).

Everyone 12 years+ can consider getting a bivalent booster.

PROOF OF COVID VACCINE – RECEIPT

The website people use to get a copy of their covid immunization receipts is https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/

Procedure:
1.  If a client asks about instructions for satisfying border agency requirements for travel, please ask them to contact the border agency directly.
a.  Canada’s ArriveCan help page here and its support phone numbers:
 a.  1-833-283-7403 (toll-free from Canada or the U.S)
 b.  Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-465-7735 (Canada and U.S. only)  
 c.  From outside Canada or the U.S.: 613-954-8485
 d.  You are not responsible for providing the contact info for other    border agencies.
2.  We do not issue clients anything beyond Ontario receipts to demonstrate proof of valid doses.   We do not issue any form of certificate, certified letter/email, or certified verbal response demonstrating proof of vaccination or the number of valid doses in COVAX.  We will continue to inform clients how many valid doses they have in COVAX if they ask. COVAX Super Users will also inform clients how many valid doses they have when they enter their out-of-Ontario doses in COVAX.  If a client lost their Ontario receipt, ask them to log into Ontario’s portal to download it. If they cannot find their receipt on the portal or have other questions, they are to call Region of Waterloo’s Call Centre at 519-514-1499.
4.  If a client lost their out-of-Ontario receipt, they are to contact the original receipt issuer for a replacement. We will not re-issue out-of-Ontario receipts stored in COVAX.

Covid -19 Vaccine General Information

https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine/faq

Covid-19 Vaccines: Pregnancy and Fertility

https://www.pcmch.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information-Sheet-2021_04_28.pdf

https://www.sogc.org/common/Uploaded%20files/Latest%20News/EN_SOGCStatement_COVID-19Vaccination-Fertility.pdf

https://sogc.org/covid

Vaccines and Allergies

https://csaci.ca/covid-19-vaccines-faq

Pericarditis and Myocarditis Following mRNA Vaccine

https://www.ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/tools-resources/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccines/myocarditis-after-mrna.pdf

 Pharmacies in the areas offering the COVID vaccine

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations

COVID-19 VACCINES: More information

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 Health Canada has authorized the first COVID-19 vaccines for use in Canada after a thorough and rigorous review of the evidence to ensure the vaccines meet the standards of safety, quality and efficacy for authorization in Canada. Health Canada will continue to monitor the safety of the vaccines after they are available.

Key messages

  • Primary care providers and patients can be confident. Standards of safety, efficacy, and quality have not been compromised to expedite the approval of COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Health Canada oversight of COVID-19 vaccines will NOT stop at approval. Health Canada will monitor the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness now and into the future.
  • Research into the value of mRNA for vaccinations has been progressing for over ten years. Though the new vaccine is the first mRNA vaccine approved for use in humans, mRNA has been successfully used in cancer treatments.

COVID 19 vaccine information from Waterloo Region Public Health Unit

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19-vaccine.aspx

Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine After-Care

https://tools.cep.health/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Vaccine_After-Care_Sheet-P-M_v1.pdf?utm_source=link.cep.health&utm_medium=urlshortener&utm_campaign=covid-vaccines

Covid-19 General Information

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Public health information on Covid-19

www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/2019-novel-coronavirus.aspx# 

https://www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus

https://www.Canada.ca/coronavirus

FLU VACCINE CLINICS

Our clinics have finished. You can still get your flu vaccine at:

Waterloo Region Public Health Clinic is providing drive thru flu clinics for families.  Visit the link below for more information.

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https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/flu.aspx

Most pharmacies are also providing flu vaccine to the general population and elderly.  They will have the high dose of the flu vaccine for individuals over 65 years of age as supply is available.

If you have had your flu shot elsewhere such as,  a pharmacy, your place of work, retirement/nursing home or if you are choosing not to have the flu shot, please contact the office with this information ASAP by email or phone call so we can record it in your chart.

Flu Vaccine Clinic Dates:

Wednesday October 16, 2024    9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Friday October 25, 2024               9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Friday November 1, 2024           9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Friday November 8, 2024           9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Friday November 22, 2024         9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Friday November 29, 2024         9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Online booking is our preferred booking method to keep our phone lines free.  You have access to book/cancel/change your appointment 24 hrs a day!

Office Hours:

9:15-12:30 2:15-4:30 Mon-Thurs.

9:15-12:30 Friday

Phone:

519-570-1655

HEALTH CARD RENEWAL

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Ontario Photo Health Card Renewal

You can renew your health online if you meet eligible criteria.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/renew-both-your-health-card-and-drivers-licence-online

Service Ontario urges you not to visit a Service Ontario centre unless absolutely necessary.  To avoid in-person visits, they have extended the expiry date on a number of our products, and you can apply for the majority of products online.  Additionally, some Service Ontario locations are currently closed.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario-locations-hours-and-contact

HEALTH CONNECT ONT.- thas

Health Connect Ontario (formerly THAS)

Health Connect Ontario is a key component of the ministry’s commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible, and coordinated primary health care services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is an after-hours telephone health advice and triage service for patients enrolled in primary health care groups in Ontario.

Patients who call Health Connect Ontario have access to Ontario registered nurses who provide them with symptom-based health advice and information.

Toll-Free:   811

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MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health: Crisis, Counselling, or Self Care

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Grand River Hospital

Emergency services: 911

Non urgent services:

519-749-4310

http://grhosp.on.ca/care/services-departments/mental-health-addiction

HERE 24/7

Crisis Help as well as Addiction and Mental Health Services

Call anytime: 1-844-437-3247

Local: 519-821-3582

TTY: 1-877-688-5501

https://here247.ca/

Front Door

Children and Youth Mental Health services: 519-749-2932

Monday -Friday 9 am to 5 pm

https://www.frontdoormentalhealth.com/

Carizon

Counselling for individuals, couples, families, children: 519-743-6333 ext. 1.

https://www.carizon.ca

 Some programs may be subsidized or fully funded based on the type of services you are seeking.

Friendly Voice Program if you are isolated or alone.

https://www.carizon.ca/news

Mosaic Counselling Services

Services include relationship and family counselling, victim and settlement services for women, anger management and I belong services.

519-743-6333

https://www.mosaicbc.org/services/counselling/.

WLU and U of W Resources

Free Self Care Course

https://wlu.ca/news/news-releases/2020/april/laurier-offers-free-online-self-care-and-resiliency-course.html

University of Waterloo – Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment
Contact us by phone or email:
(519) 888-4567 ext. 33842
cmhrtintake@uwaterloo.ca
https://uwaterloo.ca/mental-health-research-treatment/

Telepsychology for Kids, Teens, and Adults
About the CMHRT
Therapists at the CMHRT are graduate students closely supervised
by registered clinical psychologists.
Mental Health Services
At the CMHRT we provide therapy and assessment services for children,
teens, parents, and adults. We work with a range of presenting concerns
including anxiety, depression, OCD, social difficulties, behavioural concerns,
and parenting challenges.
About Telepsychology
Telepsychology through videoconferencing has been shown in research to be as effective as in-person therapy. The CMHRT uses secure
videoconferencing technology to ensure a private and safe experience.
Sessions are offered at flexible times to maximize convenience.
Sliding Scale Fees
Fees for services operate on a flexible sliding scale,
which is calculated based on your family’s financial
situation

Big White Wall

Free anonymous peer support, self-help courses and other resources

https://www.bigwhitewall.com/?lang=en-ca

Bounce Back Ontario

Free skill-building program from CMHA designed to help adults & youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos.

www.bouncebackontario.ca

AbilitiCBT

AbilitiCBT includes a special program to help address anxiety symptoms related to the uniquely challenging aspects of pandemics: uncertainty, isolation, caring for family and community members, information overload and stress management.

https://ontario.abiliticbt.com/home

OTHER RESOURCES

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Patient Resources For Mental Health and Addiction

Provided by Ontario College of Family Physicians and the University of Toronto

https://www.ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/tools-resources/covid-19-resources/community-supports-special-populations/ocfp-mh-patient-resources.pdf

PUBLIC HEALTH

Region of Waterloo Public Health

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/public-health-and-emergency-services.aspx

To send or receive immunization records with the Region of Waterloo Public Health

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/immunization-reporting.aspx

During COVID Waterloo Region Public Health Unit prefers to receive emails with requests for immunization records

Email: immunizationservices@regionofwaterloo.ca

Public Health Ontario 

https://www.publichealthontario.ca

Region of Waterloo Public Health  -Sexual Health Services 

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/sexual-health-services.aspx

Region of Waterloo Public Health  – Animal Bites

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/animal-bites.aspx

Background

    • School vaccination clinics for grade 7 students will resume in schools in October 2022

    • These clinics provided hepatitis B, HPV and meningococcal vaccines

Clinic Details

Public Health restarted school program vaccination clinics on November 1st, 2021.

    • Clinics are being offered at 99 Regina Street South

    • Students in grades 7-9 are eligible to receive their school program vaccines or complete their series if they had already started them

Appointments

    • Appointments can be booked with Public Health by calling 519-575-4400 ext 5001 or online

    • Before booking an appointment, parents/students should update their immunization  records https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/immunizations-and-vaccines.aspx online or by calling 519-575-4400 ext 5001 (Monday to Friday 8:30 am -4:30 pm) or email immunizationservices@regionofwaterloo.ca

  • Please see attached public health information on ticks and lyme disease:

 

https://www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease

CEP_Early_Lyme_Disease_Patient_2020 (pdf)Download

Post Exposure Antimicrobial Prophylaxis to Prevent Lyme Disease may be Beneficial in Certain Cases

A single dose of doxycycline can lower the risk of Lyme disease when:

 

  • The tick bite occurred where Lyme disease incidence is high or in an area where >20% of ticks are infected with Borrelia burgdorferi.
  • The attached tick can be identified as an adult or nymphal blacklegged tick.
  • The estimated time of attachment is ≥36 hours based on the degree of tick engorgement with blood or likely time of exposure to the tick.
  • Prophylaxis can be started within 72 hours of tick removal.
  • The patient has no contraindication to doxycycline.

WELLNESS

PREVENTION is an essential component to your health care.

Colon Screening

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Men and  women between the ages of 50 to 74 should get screened for colorectal cancer  with a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) every two years.

Men and  women over 75 should continue to get regular check-ups and discuss with their  family doctor or nurse practitioner whether they should continue to be screened  for colorectal cancer.

If a first degree relative (parent, sibling or  child) had colorectal cancer you are at increased risk. Talk to your doctor  about getting screened for colorectal cancer when you are 10 years younger than your relative was at the disease onset.

Cervical Screening

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All women who have ever had any sexual skin-to-skin  contact need to have regular cervical screening tests for cancer.  These screens start at age 25 and continue until age 69. This includes intercourse,  intimate touching or oral sexual contact with partners of either sex.

As of March 3, 2025 cervical screening for HPV has replaced the traditional Pap smear.  There is no change to the collection procedure but the lab will process the specimen differently.

The new cervical screen is a more sensitive test.  If the result is normal retesting will be required every 5 years.  If you are immunocompromised retesting will be required every 3 years.

If you have had a hysterectomy, talk to your doctor  or nurse practitioner to see if you still need a Cervical Screen.

Breast Screening

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 Women 40 –  74 years of age should get regular breast cancer screening with mammography  every two years.

Women 75  and over should continue to get regular checkups and discuss with their family  doctor or nurse practitioner whether they should continue to be screened for  breast cancer.

Women between the ages of 30 and 69 and  identified by a physician as high risk for breast cancer, should have yearly  screening using both a mammogram and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

A requisition for a mammogram is not required when belonging to the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP).  Anyone age 40 or older can call any OBSP imaging site and make an appointment.

A requisition may be required if you have breast implants or have had previous breast cancer.

Immunizations

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Immunization is widely recognized as one of the greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century. Vaccines save lives, prevent the spread of diseases and reduce health care costs. Immunization programs are an important foundation of Ontario’s health system. We provide expertise in immunization and vaccine-preventable disease control.

See Ontario’s publicly funded immunization schedule.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/immunization/docs/immunization_schedule.pdf

  The vaccine debate continues for some people, despite the overwhelming evidence that vaccines are safe and don’t cause autism.   Refer to the literature below.

Your Child’s Best Shot: A parent’s guide to vaccination, 4th edition (2015) By Dr. Dorothy L. Moore Published by Canadian Pediatric Society.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/parent-guide-vaccination.html

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism.html

For more information on vaccine safety:

https://www.askontariodoctors.ca

Periodic Health Review

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Traditional Physicals are no longer performed.  A periodic health review is a person assessment of your medical needs and appropriate intervention dependent on those needs.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT

Measurements such as blood pressure, weight, BMI, waist circumference.

Review of family history, personal history,  and current problems.

Assessment for screening such as cervical screen, mammogram, stool testing, colonoscopy, etc.

An examination appropriate for your age, sex, and medical issues particular to you.

A discussion of your risk factors, such as smoking, alcohol intake, diet, exercise and immunization needs.

WHEN YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE

  1. Children over 5 every 3-5 years
  2. Healthy men in their 20s and 30s every 3-5 years
  3. Healthy men in their 40s every 2-3 years
  4. Women who require cervical screens every 5 years (unless instructed otherwise due to increased risks)
  5. Men and women over 50 every 1-2 years

Diabetic Awareness

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 Living with type 2 Diabetes: What it is and how to get the help you need.

https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/type-2

Call to speak with live diabetes educators: 1-800 BANTING (226-8464)

 Healthy Living Resources: How to live well with diabetes, from eating and exercise to heart health and foot care.

https://www.diabetes.ca/en-CA/resources/tools—resources?Categories=&ResourceToolType=&SearchText=&Sort=alwaysontop&Page=1

Exercise videos

https://diabetesstrong.com/category/excercise/workout-videos

 Recipes: Find healthy recipes by keyword, category or main ingredient

https://www.diabetes.ca/en-CA/nutrition—fitness/recipes?Categories=&MealType=&SearchText=&Sort=&Page=1

 Taking Charge of Your Diabetes: New tools from Diabetes Canada to help you take charge of your health.

https://www.diabetes.ca/en-CA/about-diabetes/medication-management

 Complications: The risks of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and other problems resulting from poorly or untreated diabetes

https://www.diabetes.ca/en-CA/managing-my-diabetes/preventing-complications

 Programs and Support Services: Locate support groups and other resources in your area.

https://www.diabetes.ca/en-CA/get-involved/local-programs—events?Region=&EventType=&SearchText=&Sort=&Page=1

Smoking Cessation

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 Health benefits begin soon after you smoke your last cigarette:

 • Within 20 minutes, your blood pressure drops.

 • Within 8 hours, carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop to normal.

 • At 24 hours, your risk of a heart attack begins to fall.

 • At 2 weeks to 9 months, you can breathe easier as you can get more air into your lungs.

 • At 1 year, your risk of heart disease and stroke from smoking drops by 50%.

• At 5 years, your risk of stroke is the same as a non-smoker.

 • At 10 years, your risk of dying from lung cancer reduces significantly.

 • At 15 years, your risk of heart disease equals that of a non-smoker.

Visit the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers Helpline

https://smokershelpline.ca

Why Quitting Smoking is Hard

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/quit-smoking-medications/why-quitting-smoking-is-hard/index.html#not-having-nicotine-around

Step-by-Step Guide to Help you Quit

https://www.mountsinai.on.ca/care/fammed/patient-resources/respirology/quit-smoking.pdf

How Smoking Cessation Medications Work

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/quit-smoking-medications/how-quit-smoking-medicines-work/index.html

Make an appointment to stop now.

Exercise

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 POSITIVE HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

  1. Improves sleep
  2. Maintains healthy weight
  3. Manages stress
  4. Improves quality of life
  5. Reduces chance of type II diabetes by 40%
  6. Reduces chance of cardiovascular disease by 35%
  7. Reduces chance of falls, depression and dementia by 30%
  8. Reduces chance of joint and back pain by 25%
  9. Reduces chance of cancers (colon/breast) by 20%

View the link below for information on what and how much exercise you should do 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831435/Withdrawn_Physical_Activity_Adults_Infographic.PDF

MOVE STRONG AT HOME Program

offered through the University of Waterloo for individuals over 60 yrs of age.

The study takes place over 12 weeks. You do not need to leave your house to participate in the study. You can choose to communicate with us via telephone, or online using your computer.

We will complete assessments of your health, physical activity, physical function and nutrition over the phone or computer at the beginning of the study, after the 8-week intervention, and one month later (12-weeks).

https://uwaterloo.ca/bone-health-exercise-science-lab/projects/movestrong-home

Nutrition

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Canada’s Food Guide is a good place start!

Resources available

  •  Eating Habits
  • Healthy Eating Recommendations
  • Dietary Guidelines
  • Recipes

https://food-guide.canada.ca/en

Mediterranean Diet and Whole Food Plant Based Diets

 Reduce the risk of developing and improve the following conditions:

  1. Diabetes
  2. High Blood Pressure
  3.  Cardiovascular disease
  4.  Obesity
  5.  Many cancers (prostate, colon, breast, pancreatic, liver)

Other benefits:

 • Help achieve ideal body weight

• Treat constipation

 • Increase energy

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5aof7UI3yg

Recipes for Plant Based Nutrition:

https://ohsheglows.com

https://www.thefullhelping.com/recipes

https://www.veganricha.com/recipes

Low FODMAP Diet for irritable bowel syndrome

Cholesterol Management

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Heart and Stroke Foundation

provides information  on

  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Medication
  • Recipes

https://www.heartandstroke.ca/search-results-page?q=cholesterol

Treatments

Each of the following decreases your risk of heart disease and stroke by about 1/3 (30%)

1) Mediterranean diet www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5aof7UI3yg

2) Exercise (aim for 150 min/week of brisk walking or higher exertion)

3) Medication (ex. statins like Crestor)

https://kr.ihc.com/ext/Dcmnt?ncid=526044272&tfrm=default

Risk Calculator

Discuss with your family physician whether you require blood work to check your cholesterol so that you can calculate your cardiovascular risk today.

Fatty Liver Disease

Causes and Treatments

https://www.liver.ca/patients-caregivers/liver-diseases/fatty-liver-disease

Mindfulness

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Mindfulness means to live in the present rather than worrying about the past or anticipating the future.

To be mindful is to realize thoughts and feelings in your body in an objective manner.

We can use mindfulness as a tool to avoid self-criticism and judgment while identifying and managing difficult emotions.

Try these apps

Insight Timer

Calm App

Ten percent happier

Wysa

Headspace

For more information consult your family physician.

Breast Feeding Buddies

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Breastfeeding Buddies  new website is up and ready to support families in reaching their breastfeeding goals. Our goal is to provide peer focused, accessible, and evidence-based breastfeeding support during these challenging times. Please visit the website and share it with families you work with. All registration for our NEW virtual programs can also be found on the website.

 The interactive workshop runs every Wednesday afternoon from 2-4 via ZOOM meetings. Registration is required.

www.breastfeedingbuddies.ca

New Virtual Breastfeeding Support – LATCH AND LEARN  – Tuesday and Thursday 10-11am

Waterloo Region Public Health Breastfeeding Support

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/breastfeeding.aspx

For information on circumcision look under the handout tab.

Contraception

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Resource for Contraception Options

20 DIFFERENT BIRTH CONTROL OPTIONS

Waterloo Region Public Health’s sexual health clinic

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/sexual-health-services.aspx

Sexual Health Options, Resources and Education Center

https://www.shorecentre.ca

Book an appointment with your family physician to discuss the best option for you.

Concussion Management

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Concussion Guides for Athletes

https://parachute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Concussion-Guide-for-Athletes.pdf

Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers

https://parachute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Concussion-Guide-for-Parents-and-Caregivers.pdf

Return to Sport Strategy

https://parachute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Return-to-Sport-Strategy.pdf

Return to School Strategy

https://parachute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Return-to-School-Strategy.pdf

 Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA)

An excellent resource for services and support- free of charge.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

(1) Headache Diary – for severity use colours or 1 = Green, 2 = Yellow, 3 = Red; record duration

(2) Headache Management Pamphlet –  (under Patient Resources – Headache & Migraine)

(3) Headache Severity Scale (GREEN, YELLOW, RED)  (under Patient Resources – Headache & Migraine)»

(4) Improve Sleep & How to Take Melatonin  (under Patient Resources – Sleep – Sleep Hygiene 101)

(5) Active Rehabilitation Educational Video  (under Patient Resources – Concussion – “Active Rehabilitation – Why it Works”) (6) Keep Your Head Up is an emerging local non-profit organization that supports individuals impacted by traumatic brain injury, including concussion. The organization was founded in 2020 by two young women from Waterloo Region who sustained sports-related concussions while in high school.   Keep Your Head Up offers free virtual programs to provide individuals with TBI with hands-on opportunities to learn about and practice mental wellness strategies that can support their well-being during their recovery process. Activities include gentle yoga, meditation, breathing, mindful movement, therapeutic art and more.  To register: https://www.keepyourheadup.ca/

Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bone loss, this can lead to a fracture.

The disease has already progressed by the time a fracture occurs.

Prevention is your best defense against this disease.

Osteoporosis Canada has more information on:

  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Calcium and Vitamin D
  • Calcium calculator
  • Life after a fracture

Talk to your physician about your need for a bone  mineral density test.

Chronic Kidney Disease

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Please see the following websites for information on Chronic Kidney Disease, including causes and management of your condition.

https://kidneyfailurerisk.com

https://kidneyfailurerisk.com/CKD_handbook__Jan_31st_2019.pdf

For a great resource on high and low potassium foods, see:

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/nutrition/in-nfs-potassium-foods-pictorial.pdf

Technology and Health

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 Smartphone apps can be used to monitor your health and help you stay on track with your health goals.

Smart ways to Use Your Smartphone 

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/how-smartphones-support-health

Apps To Keep You on Track

https://www.docwirenews.com/blog/best-apps-to-keep-you-healthy-in-2020

How Your iWatch can Make You Healthier

https://www.cnet.com/health/all-of-the-ways-the-apple-watch-can-make-you-healthier

Arthritis

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 Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of joints and ligaments. Currently, 1 in 5 Canadians are affected by this chronic disease. The most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Pain Management

https://arthritis.ca/treatment/pain-management

Symptom Calculator

https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/signs-of-arthritis/symptom-checker

Community Involvement – seminars, workshops, webinars etc

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Services Through Family Health Teams in Our Community

New Vision FHT Virtual Workshops

New Vision Family Health Team would like to extend an invitation to your patients to register for our VIRTUAL (online) wellness workshops! These sessions are led by our interdisciplinary healthcare professionals and aim to help participants manage their health, enhance coping strategies, and meet with others who may be having similar concerns/experiences. No referral is needed.
All our wellness workshops are open to non-FHT patients. Our sessions are facilitated through ZOOM, so participants will need access to a computer, tablet or smart phone and the internet, but do not need a camera. Participants will also need an email address for registration and to access the workshop online.