Community First Co-op Celebrates AGM 2018

Community First Health Co-op celebrated its 17th annual general meeting with an invigorating chair yoga session with our community members.

Marj Haire lead us through a variety of movements and meditations supporting both our bodies and our minds... those of us lucky enough can join Marj at the Community Complex on Tuesday afternoon to further benefit from this method of yoga.

The group were fully engaged as we lead into the administrative part of the meeting.

Tanya Momtazian, Midwife, Apple Tree

Chair, Debby Zeeben, provided an overview of this past year including the funding for a registered nurse to work with Apple Tree Maternity as well as the 10,000 Steps Initiative in partnership with the city of Nelson.

Board Members – Pegasis McGauley introduced Deb Zeeben, Doug Stoddart, Sarah Popoff, and Sharon Browning, who were present, and Mia Gardiner, who was out of town, as continuing volunteer Board members.

Nominees for Directors – Madeline Collins, Pegasis McGauley, and Eric Ramsden were accepted by acclamation as new Board members by the CFHC members in attendance. 

The West Kootenay Community TEETH Clinic Society board member, Barry Nelson, provided an update on the activities of the low cost dental clinic.

Thanks so much for dropping by... looking forward to your next visit.

Let us know what you think about what's happening with the CFHC and if you're interested in helping out by volunteering just drop us a line.

Talk with you soon,

Eric

TEETH Low Cost Dental Clinic Update 2018

Passport to Wellness Health Fair: What's Happening on Saturday, April 8th in Nelson

Hop to IT!

Session Descriptions and Scheduling  

 Saturday, April 8^th, 2017

10:30

Flourishing through Mindfulness- Sonya Franke, Certified Mindfulness Educator

Join Sonya Franke, certified mindfulness educator to learn simple yet effective techniques to increase present moment awareness, helping to cultivate healthy habits of heart, mind and body.  Scientists are calling mindfulness, “Brain Hygiene”.  Mindfulness offers us a way to meet our present moment experience in an accepting, open, compassionate way, developing greater inner patience, resilience, calm and happiness over time.  Learn how to practice in formal and informal ways

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Mental Health through Massage – Sherri Bouliane  RMT

Sherri Bouliane will be presenting on how massage can help with a variety of mental health  issues such as stress, anxiety, insomnia , PTSD, trauma and body awareness.

Karen Leman – Services to support mental health in our community and the health care system- IHA

Join Karen Leman as she helps us understand what the role of the IHA is in the mental health of our community and what resources are available for us.  She will be able to answer questions and direct people to appropriate resources.

12:00

Inspiring Change in self: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Relational Somatic Therapy for Chronic Pain and Mood Problems – Tara Emery RSW/RST

Join Tara Emery as she explains these practical treatments and how they can be used to set goals, inspire change, treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain and insomnia. Tare is a Relational Somatic Therapist and Social Worker who has been with the RISEBC Wellness Centre for 2 years.

Resilience: Addressing the Challenges of MS ( and other Chronic conditions) , Lonnie Facchina Ms Resource Facilitator for Northern and Interior Regions

This session aims to educate and equip those affected by a chronic health condition with inspiring examples and resources to help put positive thinking to work in their own lives.

Growing Home: Your Personal Journey with Aging, Lee Reid Retired Clinical Counsellor-Specialized in Addictions, Founder of SEEDS & Author

Lee offers a 45- minute slideshow, talk and Q and A for group sharing that illustrates the values and skills rural seniors bring to healthy and creative aging.  The audience will travel into the homes and lives of seniors around the West Kootenay in a personal and intimate way.  The presentation is intended to both inspire, and to challenge, social perceptions of aging.  It is not a problem-solving venue

1:30

Parenting Kids in Anxious Times- Christy Bryceland, PhD and Liz Amaral, Family/Parenting Support- Nelson Community Services

Christy will talk about how to recognize childhood anxiety and offer strategies to support anxious children.  Liz will talk about the pillars of parenting especially needed in these anxious times. 

Emergency Room Perspective on Mental Health:  Dr. Wiedrick- MD CCFP (EM) ER Physician Lead and GP Anesthetist at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson 

Dr. Wiedrick will share his perspective and provide time for group chat and discussion.

 Anxiety: What is it and how to manage it. Laura Barkwell- Registered Clinical Counsellor:

   In this session explore with Laura Barkwell, explore what anxiety is, how it presents, and how is can affect individuals. Tools and strategies will be discussed. In this session feel free to listen share stories and strategies to make this a useful, and productive session.  

Heartfulness Meditation and Peace of Mind- Sarah Sherk, Meditation Coach

Participants will be guided through a relaxation and meditation exercise to discover first hand, how this brings one into the peace of the heart.  Discover how to leave your thought behind and create a quiet space within.  In no particular posture, and in silence, you can learn to do this anywhere and at anytime.  

2:45

Community conversation inspiring action for Mental Well-being and Happiness in our communities.

Facilitated by Mia Gardiner

The “Bite” truck will be on site. Child care is available.

Come spend the day for your Mental Health and Happiness.

See you Friday and Saturday... will be a great two days for our community.

Marion and Eric

Inspiring Mental Health and Wellness HEALTH FAIR: In Nelson, BC on Friday April 7th and 8th 2017

First Board Meeting of 2017: Lots Happening!

It is cold outside these days but a warming trend is on theway!! Some of the Board were talking about how they do not recall such a long stretch of cold weather.  We do enjoy the sun and blue skies and white mountain tops, though we do say, looking out your window, is definitely preferred by many.

 Our first Board meeting for 2017 was a busy one and we met a new person to our community who has now volunteered to be on our Health Fair Committee and will allow her name to stand for becoming a Board member!!

 Jacqueline Carr, the Executive Director and Patient Navigator for Rise Above Pain Society gave the board a great presentation on a new society that will work with Rise BC Wellness Centre and Dr. Joel Kalia and staff, to support those living with chronic pain. 

The program being offered in Nelson and area is a 3-pronged approach -  Chronic Pain workshops- Self Management – Movement/Support classes. The 8-week program will begin on February 8,2017 for 10 participants, as a pilot project. There are spaces available for 2 more participants. You must commit to 2 hours a week, and some homework to be involved. There is no cost to the program and it will run out the Rise BC Wellness Centre at the Community First Health Co-op.  The workshops will focus on the emotional, physical, and science of living with chronic pain.  Jacqueline reminded us the 22,000 people in the Southern Interior live with chronic pain. 

The Lake Street Housing Committee is holding a Community Planning Meeting at CFHC, February 17,2017 from 4:00- 5:00 pm in the Resource Room.  The meeting is to hear about the plans for the units and commercial space.  We know from the plans that there are 42 units of space available. This is a project that has been in the works for many years and we are excited that we may be able to move forward.

We would like to Welcome T.O.P. S. as a corporate member of CFHC and a partner in the building.  Check them out  TOPS and How It Works

First Community Health Co-op  (TOPS BC 1705) 518 Lake St  Room 204 Nelson,  BC  V1L 4C6  Canada Mondays:  5:45/6:30 PM

 We encourage groups that take care of their health and support others to do the same.

The first two Health Fairs have been amazing!

So, do not forget to mark April 8, 2017 as a date to take part in our 3^rd Passport to Wellness Health Fair, with a focus on Mental Health.

From all of us, be careful out there, we have heard of several people with broken hips and legs and arms from an ice related fall. 

Our fellow blogger Erin is taking a break, so we wish her the best and we sign off for January 2017

Eric and Marion 

Upcoming Workshops on Dementia: In Nelson on January 25; February 16, 23 and March 2, 2017

Community First Health Co-op: Part of a Thriving Community.

Community First Health Co-op is proud to be part of a co-operative movement that is alive and flourishing in the Kootenay region.

 With over 25 co-ops in the area, we are the only health co-op and as such we hold a special place in the B.C. Health Co-operative Association.  The dream to offer an integrated approach to wellness is becoming more real every year with the variety of practitioners in the building who are working together to support the wellness of their clients.

We have doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists, psychologists, acupuncturists, community service advocates, yoga therapists, midwives, and training facilities in our building. We have Rise BC Wellness Clinic with a focus on pain management, AppleTree maternity a pre – post maternity facility, a mini medical clinic with a focus on less appointments and more time spent with each patient, a business that trains young people though a mentor ship to work in the building industry, and the Community Services Center offering support in a variety of ways to those in need.

We are connected both financially and philosophically with the Nelson and District Credit Union.  Through their support and leadership we were able to purchase the building, utilize their staff with their financial expertise and depend on them to be an advocate for the co-op movement. We continue to work with Seniors in our area and to be represented on housing forums and seniors committees.

TEETH, a low cost dental program is now over two years old and is growing to include appointments for those in the most need at our Nelson clinic and now we have a mobile dental hygienist serving the communities of the West Kootenay region.

We are planning our 3^rd annual Passport to Wellness Health Fair with a focus this year on Mental Health. We will be hosting the event on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Lake Street Building from 10am-4pm. If you know of anyone that might offer a session on mental well-being, please contact us at cfhcoop@shaw.ca 

The New Economy is a documentary with a focus on the cooperative movement and was premiered in Nelson to celebrate Co-op Week. A big thank you to the Nelson and District Credit Union for hosting this event. One of the interesting facts given was that 2 out of 3 people know what a co-op is but only 1 out of 3 can name one. We need to make sure that our name is one of the ones they know.

We are proud to continue our work with the community and with integrated health and look forward to more development in this arena.

It is the time for falling into Fall, so be careful, as the streets and sidewalks get slippery, that you do not fall.

Signing off and out to rake some leaves and get the gardens winterized.

Eric, Erin and Marion 

So Much to be Thankful For...

October Board Meeting is in the books. The leaves are turning colour, the sky is so blue, when it is blue, and the frost is on some of the roof tops, but what a spectacular time to get out and walk or cycle or run. 

West Kootenay TEETH Clinic Society is thrilled that the mobile dental clinic is up and running. In collaboration with IHA, who are letting us use their facilities, one has been held in Castlegar and the next one will be in Grand Forks.  We also have a dentist in Trail and one in Nakusp, who have indicated an interest in helping out and we have one in Castlegar, doing Adopt a Patient dental services from his office.  

As many of you know, we won $50,000 last year from Pacific Blue Cross to support initiatives with TEETH and that money is being spent on new equipment, training of chair side assistants and enhancing our denture service. 

We have had over 635 patient visits but still have 135 people waiting since January for a first appointment. You can help us, but talking to your dentist and seeing if they are willing to be involved in helping us with this vital service.

On a great note, we have a Toonie for TEETH donation and recently we have had former clients, who no longer need to access low- cost dental because of a change in their economic status, donate considerable amounts back to support the program – most notably one for $700.  It is indeed better to give than receive when you are able.

They say if you build it, they will come and we continue to have people looking for space in our building. The latest partners in the Wellness Centre are Street Culture Collaboration, who are working on the streets of Nelson under a contract with the Nelson Community Services Society. We are pleased to have them as part of our integrated services in the building.

Congratulations to the organizers and sponsors of the 2^nd VERY SUCCESSFUL Seniors Fair held on Friday, September 30^th at the Prestige. With between 250-300 seniors in attendance, the organizers were happy with the great feedback and participation in this event.

 One of the most important things for to know about your health is that having a community that offers support, respect and opportunities to participate helps us ALL to be HEALTHY. 

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving... and be thankful for friends, family and your health.

 Eric, Erin and Marion 

What Makes a Community Health Centre?

What Makes a Community Health Centre?

That's one of the core questions Nicole Chammartin asks, in her latest blog, in which she shares her reflections on the two-day Canadian Association of Community Health Centres  annual general meeting summit which took place last week in Winnipeg.

Nicole is Executive Director of Klinic Community Health and Sexuality Education Resource Centre, in Winnipeg, and serves as a Board Member for both CACHC and MACH. Her blog post is essential reading for Community Health Centre staff and board members.

Check out Nicole's blog:

http://klinic.mb.ca/2016/09/what-makes-a-community-health-centre/

Also, if you have a moment, take a look at what happened at the AGM:

CAHC Annual General Meeting 2016

Let us know what you think.

Marion, Erin and Eric

SUMMER UPDATE FROM YOUR NELSON HEALTH CO-OPERATIVE... Summer weather here at last!

Is it really summer?

Summer is here? Well we have sun, rain, thunder, lightning and wind on a daily basis BUT we hope whether you on in the air or on water or land that you are being active and taking time to soak in the ambience of summer in the Kootenay’s.

The CFHC board held its August board meeting, and although quieter in the summer, we still have some highlights to share.

The Senior Co-ordinating Society and the Nelson Senior Centre – Branch 51 are hosting a Seniors Collectible Fair to help people downsize, up the profile of each of the sponsors and have some fun. The Fair will take place from 9-4:30 on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, 2016 at the Rod and Gun Club.  A table is $35 for the two days and if you want to be part of this Fair, then after August 24,2016 you can contact Brad Howard at 250-354-1983 or bradhoward@telus.net.   Hope to see you there checking out the tables and perhaps finding the treasure you have always wanted.

The Public Relations Committee will be working on updating our website and putting more blog posts up each month. We will do a blog on highlights of the board meeting but also will do on featuring special events for groups in the resource centre and health related articles and links.  We are also looking to host 2-3 education sessions each year and of course support and host the Passport to Wellness Health Fair.  Let us know what you think - what would interest you?

Thanks to Deb Zeeben, who spent 8 hours on a conference call on behalf of CFHC to be part of a gathering of Community Health Centres in B.C. 

The Canadian Association of Health Centres will work on incorporating the British Columbia Association of Health centres with a new mission and new definition. Currently a Community Health Centre is defined as a multi-sector health and health care organizations that integrate primary care, health promotion, community health and other services that contribute towards health. Check their link to learn more:  http://www.cachc.ca/

 In B.C., there are over 100 community health centres that operate in a variety of ways with the common thread being the integration of services. At the Nelson Community Health Centre we have seen integration of services both in the Apple Tree Maternity and BC Rise Wellness Centre, we do education through the resource centre, at our Health Fair and by providing opportunities for our partners to do sessions for education and we are involved in housing and seniors support that contribute to community health.

We are committed at Community First Health Coop to achieving wellness by using community engagement to know the needs of those we live and play with and continually building creative and responsible programs and services.  We are excited about the connection of Community Health Centres and an opportunity to be in at the ground floor of a new association in primary health care promotion. 

As the summer progresses, enjoy time to focus on your friends and family and the social connectedness that we know contributes to good health.

Cheers

Eric, Erin and Marion

SUMMER UPDATE FROM YOUR NELSON HEALTH CO-OPERATIVE... Summer weather here at last!

Is it really summer?

Summer is here? Well we have sun, rain, thunder, lightning and wind on a daily basis BUT we hope whether you on in the air or on water or land that you are being active and taking time to soak in the ambience of summer in the Kootenay’s.

The CFHC board held its August board meeting, and although quieter in the summer, we still have some highlights to share.

The Senior Co-ordinating Society and the Nelson Senior Centre – Branch 51 are hosting a Seniors Collectible Fair to help people downsize, up the profile of each of the sponsors and have some fun. The Fair will take place from 9-4:30 on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, 2016 at the Rod and Gun Club.  A table is $35 for the two days and if you want to be part of this Fair, then after August 24,2016 you can contact Brad Howard at 250-354-1983 or bradhoward@telus.net.   Hope to see you there checking out the tables and perhaps finding the treasure you have always wanted.

The Public Relations Committee will be working on updating our website and putting more blog posts up each month. We will do a blog on highlights of the board meeting but also will do on featuring special events for groups in the resource centre and health related articles and links.  We are also looking to host 2-3 education sessions each year and of course support and host the Passport to Wellness Health Fair.  Let us know what you think - what would interest you?

Thanks to Deb Zeeben, who spent 8 hours on a conference call on behalf of CFHC to be part of a gathering of Community Health Centres in B.C. The Canadian Association of Health Centres will work on incorporating the British Columbia Association of Health centres with a new mission and new definition. Currently a Community Health Centre is defined as a multi-sector health and health care organizations that integrate primary care, health promotion, community health and other services that contribute towards health.  In B.C., there are over 100 community health centres that operate in a variety of ways with the common thread being the integration of services. At the Nelson Community Health Centre we have seen integration of services both in the Apple Tree Maternity and BC Rise Wellness Centre, we do education through the resource centre, at our Health Fair and by providing opportunities for our partners to do sessions for education and we are involved in housing and seniors support that contribute to community health.  We are committed at Community First Health Coop to achieving wellness by using community engagement to know the needs of those we live and play with and continually building creative and responsible programs and services.  We are excited about the connection of Community Health Centres and an opportunity to be in at the ground floor of a new association in primary health care promotion. 

As the summer progresses, enjoy time to focus on your friends and family and the social connectedness that we know contributes to good health.

Cheers

Eric, Erin and Marion

What's Happening... Update from our July 18th Board Meeting. Take a READ!

1.  Job Opportunity- Our seniors need your help to stay in their own homes. Please contact Lynn Goodison at 250.551.7210 or lynnhomehelp@gmail.com if you are interested. 

2.  Thank you to Cheryl Whittleton of Interior Health for providing space, free of charge, in outlying community health centres across the region for the TEETH Mobile Hygiene Clinic starting in September.  More news to follow regarding locations, times, etc.

3.  2016 Senior Fair at the Prestige in Nelson on Sept. 30^th.  Stay tuned for details. 

Next meeting: Monday August 8^th at 11:00 a.m. in the Resource Centre.

Have a great summer,

Marion, Eric and Erin

Community First Health Co-op AGM and Beyond....

Community First Health Co-op AGM

The CFHC which is celebrating its 10^th year in the Lake Street Building, held their AGM on June 14, 2016 with a good turnout of members and guests.

The presentation for the evening was done by Drs Shiraz Moola and Kevin McKechnie. They were presenting on telehealth and what it could mean for our area.  The realization that the two tier system of health in B.C. is now private or public, but in fact urban and rural. The difficulty for rural communities to access the same level of specialty care as a large centre creates long drives, long wait lists, extra expenses and safety issues for the people who need it.

Telehealth has been piloted in the area for maternity and allows visits from the local hospital or health centre to the doctors in larger centres.  Visits to specialists can be costly and prohibitive for some people so they just do not go to access the help they need.

Telehealth would be an online face to face meeting with the patient, the local doctor and the specialist. Although there are some concerns re privacy, technology and issues to co-ordinate the people needed for the call, it seems to far be outweighed by the benefits.

The fields in which it seems Telehealth is making inroads to have specialists on board are urology, general surgery, pre-surgical screening, cardiology and psychiatry. Also some mobile maternity and ER/ ICU needs. If 1 out of every 3 patients who needed to see a specialist could use Telehealth it would save 2,614 patient visits, 9,410 hours and over $300,000 for the health system, plus the money saved in patient travel costs each year.  Although this is a Kootenay –Boundary initiative, there are multiple projects province wide.

There would need to be incentives for telehealth to be successful from the physician’s perspective as it takes some organization for appointments and connections with specialists.

One of the audience members who had a skype follow-up after his surgery was most pleased with not having to go to Vancouver again.

The way to help is to advocate with the Ministry of Health as to the needs for rural or remote areas to have equality of care. 

The AGM followed after some birthday cake and coffee to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Wellness Centre at 518 Lake Street in Nelson.  It has been an extraordinary 10 years.

The highlights of the AGM were:

1.    Deb Zeeben speaking about how the credit union co-ops and health co-ops both came to be in the 1950’s and how we are connected across the world in the co-op movement.
2.  The Wellness centre is about hope, help, care and choice as we try to be a catalyst for integrated health care.
3. The determinants of health show that 25% is determined by wellness and 25% by community and social connectedness. As we continue to connect with our community through the Resource centre, involvement in low cost dental, seniors issues and affordable housing we are supporting wellness in the community.
4. Deb will be leaving the board as she has served her 6 consecutive years but she will continue in an advisory positon and as past chair for the next year.  Thanks for all you have done!
5. The various board members reported on the Resource Centre, Low cost Dental, Heath Fair, Social media and promotion, the Wellness Centre and new partners and our connections in the community.

Our new board will be:

Pegasus McGauley, Marion Hunter, Eric Ramsden, Erin Morrison all in continuing terms, Lynn Adams and Sharon Browning beginning new 3 year terms and two new board members, Lonnie Facchina and Lynn Goodison.

 

Lonnie

Lonnie Facchina is known for her work for the MS Society, the Nelson District Hospice Society and as the volunteer co-ordinator for the Resource Room. We look forward to her expertise on our Board.

Lynn

Lynn Goodison retired from nursing in 2008 and is currently employed with the Nelson and District Seniors Co-ordinating Society as the Home Help Co-ordinator. She brings to the table a medical perspective.

The next meeting will be the Statutory meeting on June 22, 2016 at 11:00 am and the board members will be chosen for executive and committee roles.

We are all looking forward to summer and some down time to replenish for the next year.

Eric and Marion

Passport to Wellness II: Health Fair Saturday, April 16th, 2016 in Nelson, BC - You Just Gotta Go!

This was an incredible event last year - those of us that attended were looking forward to the next one and HERE IT IS!

Let us know what you think of this year's health fair and we will see you there!

Marion and Eric

Community First Health Co-op Update: Passport to Wellness Health Fair, Home Help Organizer and Health Care Co-operative Federation of Canada

Passport to Wellness 2015

               Rain – sun – rain – sun !! It must be spring rounding the corner in the Kootenay’s and with daylight savings about to begin, the light at the end of the winter tunnel is here.

            

Passport to Wellness 2015

  CFHC is gearing up for our second Passport to Wellness Health Fair on April 16, 2016 from 10am-4pm at 518 Lake Street. We are just confirming all of our presenters and information kiosks for the event.   We will have presentations by the Canadian Cancer Society, The Kootenay Division of Family Physicians, Mark McBride (pharmacist and sleep expert), Sandy McLean (Mental Health, Resilience and Illness), Elephant Mountain Counselling and Shauna Robertson (Essential Oils) and more to be added this week, so check for our posters, and in the Nelson Star Community Calendar for more information on our sessions. We will also have kiosks from TEETH and IHA Dental, BC Lung Association, MS Society, Nelson Hospice, Friends of the Family, ALS and Heart and Stroke with more to also be added.

 Plan to join us for a FREE day of information and interaction as you take responsibility for your wellness.

The Seniors Co-ordinating Society has hired a Home Help Organizer, Lynn Goodison. She helps Seniors stay in their homes by providing help with light cleaning, grocery shopping, respite and other areas in which they may need help. She can be contacted at 250-352-6008 or through the Senior Co-ordinating Society Website. The rate of pay for the services varies, but can be subsidized. She organizes for Nelson and the outlying areas of Nelson. She has hours to use, so please give her a call if you or someone you know can use her help.

  Did you know that CFHC is part of a much larger organization – The Health Care Co-operative Federation of Canada?  Established in 2011, the HCCFC serves the health co-op sector across Canada. The mission is to support and promote health and wellness co-operatives in Canada through work within and beyond our sector.  Community First Health Co-op is one of 18 members in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C. They support us through fostering relationships between members and providing access to programs that will enhance our ability to be a more complete health co-op, find evidence and research to convince the public and policy makers of the benefits of community wellness and cost savings that are created by health and wellness co-ops, and they are advocates for health co-ops with the governments of Canada. If you would like to know more about the role they play check out their website – www.healthcoopscanada.coop

    Eric is thinking gardening and Marion is getting her bike springerized to begin her training for her next cycling adventure.    

Yours in health,

 Eric and Marion