Chronic diseases are long-term conditions that develop slowly over time and can often be controlled but rarely cured.  These conditions often have a large impact on the person’s physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Chronic diseases include conditions such as:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Stroke
  • Asthma
  • High blood pressure
  • Chronic pain (arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia and many other causes)
  • Insomnia
  • Weight Management
We Want to Help!
  • Would you like evidence-based medical support to help manage your weight?
  • Would you like to learn about first-line, medication-free insomnia treatments?
  • Lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management) has a significant effect on chronic conditions such as COPD, heart disease and chronic pain.  Would you like some help attaining your very best lifestyle?

Living with a chronic condition can be overwhelming and confusing. We want to be part of your health care team and to support you as you learn how to manage your chronic condition.

We can help you better understand:

  • Your condition and why you have the symptoms you have
  • Your medications, what they do and how to take them safely, including knowing what side effects they may cause
  • How to improve your overall health through nutrition, better sleep, regular exercise and stress management. Better overall health helps reduce the effects of a chronic condition

A therapeutic trial of acupuncture, laser, cupping or TENS may also be available to allow individuals an opportunity to see if this type of therapy might help with their chronic condition.  This therapy is at no cost to the individual.

Groups

Groups run several times a year and are a great place to receive information, meet other people experiencing the same health challenges and to have some fun.  To find out when the next groups are running, please see our events calendar or call the Health Centre.

In Control of COPD

A free program where you learn more about COPD and how to manage it (including a review of inhaler technique).  Develop an individual plan to reduce symptoms and an action plan of what to do during flare-ups.  Meet others living with COPD and exchange ideas about how to minimize the impact of the disease.

Living Well with Chronic Pain

A free program where you learn more about chronic pain and why it can be difficult to manage.  Find out about medication options and other holistic ways of reducing pain and living a good life even with chronic pain.

Best Weight

A free program that combines supervised exercise and education.  Education focuses on explaining why obesity is considered a medical condition and deserves medical treatment; nutrition; factors that can lead us to take in more calories than we need; that may help reduce cravings and maintain motivation; medications and surgeries that are available.

How to Access Our Services

These services are at no cost to you and are available to anyone even if they do not have a primary care provider at the Health Centre.

To access these services please ask your physician or nurse practitioner for a referral to the Chronic Disease Management Program.

For more information, please call 519-768-1715.

Printable Chronic Disease Services Brochure

 Exercise Videos