ICHA and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières announce collaboration to assist people experiencing homelessness at Toronto's 1st COVID-19 Recovery site
TORONTO, April 13, 2020 /CNW/ - Inner City Health Associates (ICHA), Canada's largest healthcare organization specializing in the care of people experiencing homelessness, welcomes Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada to support their COVID-19 pandemic response at Toronto's first COVID-19 recovery site for people experiencing homelessness.
MSF brings to ICHA's comprehensive, provincially funded plan its extensive global experience leading responses to major infectious disease outbreaks, as well as a steadfast commitment to humanitarian principles. ICHA is the clinical services lead for caring for people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. With MSF's medical technical and logistical advice, ICHA will run the COVID Recovery site for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto.
The 400-bed COVID-19 Recovery Site, slated to open soon, is the product of strong collaboration across public health, community healthcare, social support, hospital and city agencies dedicated to caring for and treating people experiencing homelessness who have contracted COVID-19. It is a critical part of ICHA's comprehensive plan to ensure Toronto's homeless population receives the care it needs during the COVID-19 pandemic; ICHA has already launched its risk stratification work and is providing services at the COVID Protection site.
COVID-19 represents an unprecedented threat for people experiencing homelessness. Health and living conditions among the 8,000 people experiencing homelessness in Toronto makes them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, a virus likely to have a disproportionate and devastating impact on them.
ICHA Medical Director Dr. Andrew Bond thanked MSF for contributing its global expertise to the needs of Toronto's homeless residents. ICHA's relationship with MSF reflects a shared commitment to save lives, alleviate suffering, and help provide dignified shelter and medical care to persons experiencing homelessness.
"This aligned action reflects the severity of COVID-19, its profound impact on homelessness in Toronto, and the urgent need to mount a massive response beyond ICHA's current capacity," said Dr. Bond, adding the inadequacy of services to prevent and respond to COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness makes this initiative necessary. For ICHA, homelessness has always been both a health and a humanitarian concern. In that context, it is an honour to work with MSF," said Dr. Bond.
This is MSF's first operation in Canada. Countries with well-functioning healthcare systems are generally not its focus, but MSF's Executive Director Joseph Belliveau said the magnitude of the COVID-19 outbreak and its particular impact on vulnerable groups, such as people experiencing homelessness, creates an acute need that MSF's unique expertise can help meet.
"With our extensive experience responding to outbreaks, such as Ebola, cholera and diphtheria in conflict-affected low-resource areas, we see an opportunity to share our knowledge with first-responders here in Canada to prepare and assist a community that is highly exposed to the virus," he said.
ICHA's response plan includes identification and risk stratification strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and respectful care and treatment for COVID-19- affected people experiencing homelessness. It incorporates preventive and clinical nursing, medical care, case management and substance use services. These services are to be complemented by a strong community health, social service and harm reduction response from community partners. MSF will advise on infection prevention and control, patient flow, staff safety and other technical logistical aspects of setting up and running the COVID-19 Recovery site.
"We thank Minister Elliott for funding our COVID-19 response plan to protect and care for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, who make up more than half of Ontario's homeless population," said Bond.
ICHA is a group of over 100 physicians and 50 nurses who provide transitional primary care, psychiatry, nursing, and palliative care services to people living on the street, in shelters and in precarious housing across Toronto. Its mission is a healthy end to homelessness.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was founded in 1971 and provides emergency medical humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or who do not have access to medical care. MSF is an independent, self-governed, non-profit organization and currently has medical programmes in more than 70 countries worldwide.
SOURCE Inner City Health Associates
Virtually Celebrate Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary
In celebration of Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary, Women’s Voice magazine, and The Non-GMO Project will stream the James Beard Award-winning documentary film Modifiedfor FREE as part of their ongoing commitment to education.
In Modified, the filmmaker Aube Giroux, and her mother embark on a personal and poignant investigative journey to find out why genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not adequately labeled on food products in the United States and Canada, despite being labeled in 64 countries around the world.
Shot over a span of ten years, the film explores the impacts of genetically engineering our food, exposing the cozy relationship between the agribusiness industry and our governments. The film is anchored around the intimate story of the filmmaker’s relationship to her mom, a gardener, seed saver, and food activist who battled cancer while the film’s production was underway.
Interweaving the personal and the political, the film uses family video, animations, and mouthwatering vignettes from the filmmaker’s award-winning PBS cooking show to create a visual celebration of homegrown food and family legacy.
Modifiedhas been the official selection at over 70 international film festivals and now audiences can enjoy it from the comfort of their own home where it will be streaming from April 15th up until Earth Day, on the 22nd at womensvoice.com/modified.
Earth Day 2020 will be remembered as a defining moment in history, as no one on earth will gather. However, we can band together and watch this family friendly movie in our homes and across the globe to virtually celebrate Earth Day 2020.
The filmmaker Aube Giroux is available for interviews.
ABOUT:
Aube Giroux (writer, director, producer) is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, organic gardener, and food blogger. Aube is the creator of “Kitchen Vignettes”, an online farm-to-table cooking show on PBS which received the 2012 Saveur Magazine Best Food Blog Award and is a two-time James Beard Award nominee. Aube holds an MFA in Film Production from York University. She has directed two films for the National Film Board of Canada and several independent productions. Modified is her first feature-length documentary.
The Non-GMO Project is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices. We believe that everyone has a right to know what is in their food and deserves access to non-GMO choices. The Non-GMO Project is governed by a Board of Directors. We also work with a collaborative network of technical and expert advisors from a broad and diverse range of backgrounds and sectors.
Women’s Voice Magazine is committed to providing our readers with real health solutions from real physicians. To ensure our editorial excellence, we have assembled medical professionals who are dedicated experts and leaders in natural health to serve on Women’s Voice Medical and Science Editorial Advisory Committee.
New Studies Show Americans Are Drinking On The Job While Working From Home.. And They are Not The Only Ones Increasing Their Alcohol Consumption
NYC Neuropsycologist Available to Address this Growing Concern
A new study from Alcohol.org shows that people stuck working at home all over the country may be pounding down cold ones in between Zoom conference calls with the boss. Beer's the beverage of choice. More than one-third reported that they're more likely to drink in isolation during the coronavirus quarantine. (Source: NYPpost.com)
Dr. Sanam Hafeez is an NYC Neuropsychologist. She is concerned that Americans in general are drinking their way through the Coronavirus, and not just those who are working remotely. According to Nielsen figures, for the week ending March 14, off-premise outlets such as liquor and grocery stores saw sales of wine up 27.6%, spirits by 26.4% and beer, cider and malt beverages by 14% compared to the same week a year earlier. Sales of 3-liter boxes of wine rose by 53%, and 24-packs of beer increased by 24%. Online alcohol sales for that week were also up, 42% year-on-year.
Health Consequences- This increase in drinking will have both a short- and a long-term impact on health and safety. In the short term, alcohol abuse suppresses multiple aspects of the body’s immune system response, with particular effects on the lungs’ ability to fight off infections like COVID-19.
Mental Consequences- The longer people rely on alcohol as a coping mechanism and build up a tolerance for it, the more likely they are to develop alcoholic tendencies or become an alcoholic. For alcoholics in recovery, this period of isolation could lead to relapse if they are not participating in AA Zoom meetings, doing remote sessions with therapists and continuing to “work the program” they had in place pre-covid.
About Our Client
Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is an NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens.
Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.
As we practice physical distancing, strengthening social ties can bolster our mental health
OTTAWA, April 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is releasing a collection of deliberate actions we can take to hold social isolation at bay. Developed in collaboration with psychologist and professor at the University of Calgary, Dr. Keith Dobson, these how-tos are intended to help make physical distancing more bearable through intentional social connection.
The upcoming holiday weekend is going to challenge all of us to make important concessions – even sacrifices – in the name of the greater good. Many of us are used to gathering over Easter or Passover with family and friends. For some, this weekend will mean missed visits with loved ones we seldom see. For others, essential work will require time away from family. For those of us working at home, a three or four day weekend may entail a significant drop in our daily interactions.
But whatever our individual circumstances, as we call on each other to practise physical distancing, it's never been more important to invest the time and energy to nurture our social ties.
CORA Physical Therapy Launches New Online Marketplace and MOVEMENT IMPROVEMENT: Live Video Activities for Audiences Nationwide
Lima, Ohio – CORA Health Services, Inc. (“CORA Physical Therapy”), a top 10 national operator of outpatient physical therapy services, today has announced the launch of two patient-centered initiatives to help individuals confined to their homes stay healthy and active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Therapy Essentials, CORA’s new online marketplace, gives patients direct access to the supplies and equipment they need to continue therapy at home while being ordered to stay in their homes. CORA’s platform offers affordable therapy products that promise to create a more professional experience at home. The new storefront features items that will enhance exercise performance, increase a therapists’ ability to provide more focused instruction and promote the positive progression of home therapy programs for patients in a clinic, virtual or home health setting.
“Our top priority with the launch of Therapy Essentials is guided by our commitment, in this digital age, to provide our communities with new and forward-thinking ways to deliver necessary rehabilitation products while patients are self-isolated,” said Robb Seahorn, PT, CSCS, Director of Academic Partnerships and member of CORA’s Clinical Services Team. “We have worked tirelessly to find a quality, cost-effective solution that we feel brings immense and immediate value to vulnerable patient populations. These products represent a long-term investment in the healthcare needs of each individual which we feel is critically important at a time when brick-and-mortar store shelves are limited in some of these same supplies.”
Products in CORA’s marketplace are not disposable items, but rather solutions that patients can use long after discharge from active treatment. Items are competitively priced, readily available, and delivered right to patients’ doorstep. Featured products currently available for purchase include: ADL devices, exercise equipment, hand therapy, hot/cold therapy treatments, manual therapy products, pediatric therapy, stretching and patient kits (all-inclusive kits for specific treatment plans).
CORA PODCAST (link): Shop Therapy Essentials with Robb Seahorn, CORA's new patient-centered online marketplace. He provides detailed explanations and valuable insights on the importance of accessibility while many patients are forced into self-isolation.
In conjunction with the launch of Therapy Essentials, CORA has expanded access for patients to connect direct with expert clinicians. MOVEMENT IMPROVEMENT, a separate initiative, is a new series that features live activity sessions created to keep people moving and engaged while isolated. Each activity, led by physical therapists, athletic trainers and physical therapy assistants, seeks to provide instructional tips, stretches and coaching on how to stay fit and flexible to relieve pain, loosen stiff muscles and joints and improve overall range of motion. Workouts are designed to support other forms of exercise that people are already doing on their own or through virtual sessions with gyms, health clubs and other fitness organizations so that audiences can achieve maximum efficiency during those workouts. For those with physical limitations or restricted range of motion, CORA instructors are prepared with adaptations and modifications for all ages and abilities.
“CORA’s clinicians have jumped at the opportunity to participate in the rollout of our new MOVEMENT IMPROVEMENT series,” said Sally Darlin, CORA Senior Vice President of Operations and Home Therapy in Florida. “It gives them a virtual platform to stay active and connect with communities in a meaningful way to do what they do best—coach and demonstrate proper techniques in a way that positively impacts those suffering from acute or chronic pain and helps those individuals dealing with physical limitations from injury, surgery, or simply from aging.”
MOVEMENT IMPROVEMENT airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Noon EDT. Sessions will focus on functional movements and activities to relieve pain while encouraging audiences to get up and get active with short breaks from their makeshift workstations. Dates and topics are subject to change and will continue to be added for the month of May and beyond. For those unable to attend the live activity session, the classes will be posted on CORA Physical Therapy’s Facebook Page and on the website at www.coraphysicaltherapy.com.
CORA Health Services, Inc./CORA Physical Therapy (www.coraphysicaltherapy.com) is an outpatient rehabilitation company that uses proven clinical practices and cost effective treatment protocols to return patients to their jobs and lifestyles as soon as possible. Their clinics offer a complete range of treatment, including outpatient physical therapy and general rehabilitation, worker’s compensation therapy, sports and auto injury rehabilitation, and rehabilitation for seniors. CORA operates more than 210 clinics in nine states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, including specialty clinics under the Body Gears brand. To shop for Therapy Essentials, please visit therapyessentials.coraphysicaltherapy.com.
New App Allows Medical Providers to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus in Waiting RoomsDocClocker, an app created by physicians for physicians, enables medical facilities to provide patients with real-time wait time reporting to decrease sick patient exposure.Tampa, Fla. – DocClocker®, a pioneering app that enables medical facilities for the first time to provide patients with real-time wait time reporting, is preventing the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) nationwide by enabling patients to avoid long waits in medical waiting rooms – limiting exposure risks. Many healthcare clinics' and hospitals' waiting rooms have been crowded in recent weeks, thanks to the rapid global outbreak of coronavirus. With the DocClocker app, which was created and funded entirely by practicing medical physicians, medical providers can support their patients by providing real-time wait times; preventing the spread of the highly contagious virus by limiting the exposure of sick patients in waiting rooms. “It is important that people are not sitting in sick waiting rooms during the coronavirus outbreak when there are delays in the office. DocClocker providers value their patients' time and are engaged in technology efficiencies that mitigate long wait times," said Dr. Eric Carter, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of DocClocker. DocClocker is on a mission to create transparency in the waiting room and enhance communication between medical providers and their patients. The DocClocker app easily allows for medical providers to deliver patients with waiting room wait times to increase patient satisfaction and positive reviews – allowing patients to stop for coffee on their way to an appointment or finish a work project, in case the office is running behind. In addition, providers who use DocClocker receive an increase in new patient bookings, as they can be located and selected on the app by prospective, in-network patients. The app can also reduce front desk stress by allowing patients to manage appointments through the app and receive appointment reminders. “As governments and communities around the globe are doing everything in their power to prevent the spread of coronavirus, it is our obligation as medical providers to do the same for the safety of our patients. By providing real-time wait times to your patients with DocClocker, you are demonstrating your commitment and true care for their wellbeing,” said Dr. Kevin Makati, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of DocClocker. Request a free demo: admin@docclocker.comAbout Doc Clocker:Developed by Fast Pathway Inc, DocClocker brings transparency to the doctor’s waiting room using modern technology to streamline communication between doctors, patients, and their families. For more information about DocClocker, please visit the app’s website at: https://docclocker.com/Contact: Molly JacobsonTel: 1-850-980-2793Email: molly@jacobsonstrategy.comWebsite: http://www.docclocker.comLocation Information:Fast Pathway, Inc2202 North Westshore Blvd., Suite 200Tampa, Florida 33607About Fast Pathway, Inc:Fast Pathway Inc is the developer and operator of the DocClocker® platform and maintains the cloud-based technology for subscribers and users.
If you would rather not receive future communications from Jacobson Strategy, let us know by clicking here. Jacobson Strategy, 6304 Vista Verde Drive East, Gulfport, FL 33707 United States
healthyWE™ Website Application Launches to Help Combat Spread of COVID-19
Join the world of healthyWE. We will beat this when we work together.
TORONTO, April 9, 2020 /CNW/ - healthyWETM (healthyWE.care) launched its website for people to track their hygiene and other safety practices to help combat the spread of COVID-19, the Coronavirus. People can join the world of healthyWE for free at healthyWE.care.
healthyWE is a free website built to track your COVID-19 safety practices. It will help keep your spirits up, share ideas for self-care and provide you with recognition for playing your part in keeping your community, your country and the world a safer place.
"healthyWE is easy to use. Set-up requires only an email address and password. Members will be able to track their COVID-19 safety practice activities, daily. Tracking takes less than a minute. healthyWE will give you a daily score for your efforts, so you can see how you're doing", says CEO of healthyWE, Stuart Lewis.
The first phase of the website application will provide its members with eight areas of safety to focus on including: social distancing, self-care, physical distancing, drinking water and more. Members will receive reminders daily, to track their activities through healthyWE. Scores based on self-reporting from all members will be combined to create total scores by country and then shared through healthyWE's website, social channels and media outlets. There is also extensive content from people around the world who are sharing information and inspiration in the fight against COVID-19.
"We recognize that millions of people around the world are doing their part to combat the spread of COVID-19. healthyWE is how we can recognize these efforts, encourage others to do the same and share some positive news and motivation in these challenging times," adds Lewis.
Phase two of healthyWE will include badges and formal recognition for members to share via their own social media accounts, expanded health information curated from public health sources and additional languages.
healthyWE is not designed to replace the advice of medical or public health professionals and is meant to be a tool to educate and motivate people to take necessary precautions based on public health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. healthyWE is an initiative of Canadian marketing and communications agency Clever Samurai.
MCI Medical Clinics Deploys its Vast Resources into Virtual Healthcare
TORONTO, April 9, 2020 /CNW/ - MCI Medical Clinics Inc. (the "Company" or "MCI"), one of Canada's largest private primary healthcare providers serving patients in Alberta and Ontario, is pleased to provide the following corporate update on its endeavors to provide the best healthcare services given the current environment marked with the COVID-19 pandemic.
MCI is rapidly ramping up capacity to provide additional virtual healthcare services via telephone and video chat due to the increase demand for health services generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to many virtual care services, which charge patients out-of-pocket for their services, MCI's virtual services are 100% OHIP-insured in Ontario, and AHCIP-insured in Alberta. This means patients will not need to pay out-of-pocket to see a doctor. Due to public health warnings to stay at home stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, patients can now seek the care they need without needlessly risking exposure. MCI has mobilized its roster of walk-in, family practice and specialist physicians, to care for patients anywhere in Ontario and Alberta- from Toronto and Calgary to Moosonee and Fort McMurray.
"Canadians have always been able to rely on MCI for fast, effective and thorough care," said Maddie Walker, President and COO of MCI. "We have offered virtual care as an option for years, but due to the current climate it has become clear that we need to do our part to ramp up this initiative, helping our patients to stay home where possible in this unusual time." Mrs. Walker added, "We are proud of our doctors and nurses who stand on the front lines facing this pandemic, and MCI will be doing all it can to support them."
While MCI is fully prepared to care for patients via virtual care, most of the company's 25 physical locations remain open. As frontline healthcare professionals, MCI's doctors and nurses continue to fight for Canadians in person as well as virtually. While many health issues can be resolved via virtual consult, patients who require hands-on care can avoid the hospital ER room by visiting one of MCI's vigilantly sanitized private clinics. MCI is prepared to care for all patients, whether they believe that they have symptoms of COVID-19, or whether they need to seek care for the myriad of health issues that still exist despite the pandemic.
MCI is a Canadian institution that has been serving patients for over 30 years. Every year, over 200 of MCI's walk-in, family practice, and specialist physicians care for nearly 2.4 million Canadians. MCI's services include onsite Occupational Health for corporations, physiotherapy and tele-rehabilitation. These services are complemented by a robust network of healthcare affiliates ranging from dental services to travel medicine.
Overcome the Elevation: 4 Tips to Help You Beat Altitude Sickness
Even though altitude sickness usually isn’t a life-threatening problem, the symptoms can make everyday activities practically unbearable. If you plan on being at a high altitude in the near future, then you might want to come up with a plan for battling altitude sickness so that you can continue to function normally.
Acclimate Slowly
One of the most effective ways to avoid altitude sickness entirely is to acclimate as slowly as possible. Those who plan on engaging in physically strenuous activities at a high altitude should try to arrive a few days early. While every person is slightly different, the average individual is going to almost fully acclimate to a high altitude within one to three days. After a few days, your body should begin producing plenty of additional red blood cells.
Boost Your Carbohydrate Intake
As your body acclimates to the new altitude, it is going to burn an incredible amount of calories. If you traditionally follow a low-carbohydrate diet, then you might want to make some temporary changes. Eating plenty of carbohydrates throughout the day should minimize the symptoms of your altitude sickness and provide you with plenty of energy.
Try Canned Oxygen
Another tactic that could help you relieve some of the symptoms of altitude sickness is using a pure canned oxygen supplement. Those cans will provide you with a quick dose of concentrated oxygen, and that can mitigate the symptoms almost immediately. Canned oxygen is going to be especially beneficial if you don’t have time to acclimate to the new altitude. You should also consider packing a few of those cans in your backpack or gear bag if you plan on hiking or camping.
Stay Hydrated
One of the most common mistakes that people make when dealing with altitude sickness is not drinking enough water. Because of your nausea, keeping anything in your stomach could be very difficult, but you must make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. That being said, drinking too much water can be dangerous as well, and that is why you should keep a close eye on the color of your urine. Urine that is relatively clear usually means that you are adequately hydrated.If you have tried these few problems and are still struggling with altitude sickness, then you might need to see a medical professional. Chronic altitude sickness can be caused by serious underlying healt
WellCan, free digital mental health resource for Canadians, available online and in app stores
Canadians can now access a free hub of digital resources to improve their mental health during COVID-19
TORONTO, April 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, the organizations that launched WellCan – a free collection of digital resources to support mental health – announced that it is now available to all Canadians. Individuals can access an extensive range of digital mental health resources by visiting the WellCan website or by downloading it from the Apple app store. It will be available in the Google app store in the coming days.
WellCan is a single point of contact for Canadians who are looking for information on mental health and where they can find free mental health resources in the community. Established through a unique partnership of leading organizations, WellCanprovides Canadians with the support they need to navigate challenges brought on by COVID-19, build resiliency and develop healthy coping mechanisms for the future.
"We are proud to have come together with leading organizations to ensure the mental health of Canadians remains a priority in this time of crisis," said Stephen Liptrap, president and chief executive officer, Morneau Shepell. "It is the responsibility of industry leaders to step up and do what's right for Canadians, and we're grateful to be a part of this important program."
As physical distancing measures remain in place, long-weekend plans to gather with family and friends have been put on hold and many Canadians will feel a strong disconnect from loved ones. Providing Canadians with a digital resource to support their mental health as they navigate a growing number of challenges associated with distancing from friends and family is critical during this time.
WellCan is supported and promoted by corporate partners Canada Life, Sun Life and Bell Canada/Bell Let's Talk and Morneau Shepell, and community and public sector partners WE, jack.org, Strongest Families Institute, EHN Canada and Mental Health Commission of Canada.
About Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell is the leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that deliver an integrated approach to employee well-being through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing world-class solutions to our clients to support the mental, physical, social and financial well-being of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement consulting, actuarial and investment services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. Morneau Shepell is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.
SOURCE Morneau Shepell Inc.
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