Ontario's Specialized Geriatric Services See Opportunities in the People's Health Care Act, 2019
Breaking down barriers to better patient care is critical in the care of frail elderly
TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2019 /CNW/ - Leaders from across Ontario's Regional Geriatric Programs (RGPs) and Specialized Geriatric Services, clinicians who provide health care to older adults living with frailty, are very encouraged by the Ontario government's introduction of Bill 74, The People's Health Care Act, 2019. The Act's intention is to improve access to healthcare services and patient experience by breaking down barriers to better patient care.
Health professions working in the field of geriatrics see great opportunity for the proposed legislation to increase access to key services needed by older adults living with frailty. As the population of seniors continues to grow, system transformation will be necessary to ensure every Ontarian who needs it can access the complex continuing care necessary for them to live full and independent lives. Leaders in geriatric clinical services across Ontario are encouraged by the government's first step towards a model that breaks down the silos of the healthcare system and encourages providers of different kinds of care to work more closely together.
"The introduction of The People's Health Care Act is a very important step forward in the care of older adults living with frailty," said Dr. Kevin Young, Geriatrician and Co-Medical Director of the Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Office. Dr. Sophiya Benjamin, Dr. Young's Co-Medical Director, and a Geriatric Psychiatrist noted "we look forward to working with government to support transformation that better integrates services and will have a positive impact on patients and their families."
Regional Geriatric Programs and Specialized Geriatric Service teams provided expert care to more than 180,000 Ontarians in 2017/18. These health professionals see every day the critical importance of linkages between care settings to effectively treat and support older adults who require a range of services to stay healthy and independent. "In 2016, people over age 65 accounted for 46% of all health sector expenditures and 51% of all hospital expenditures1. Consequently, the key to ending hallway medicine and better care for seniors is improved, integrated seniors' care both in hospital as well as in the community. Specialists in seniors' care (Geriatric Medicine, Geriatric Psychiatry, Care of the Elderly and interprofessional geriatrics teams) are the key to improving seniors' care and to helping seniors' remain at home and out of hospital" said Dr. Frank Molnar, Geriatrician and Chair of the Regional Geriatric Programs of Ontario. "Given these numbers the key to ending hallway medicine is, clearly, improved seniors' care" Molnar said.
"It is our hope that the government will continue to rely on the expertise of clinicians and leaders in the field of geriatrics to inform the design of care and treatment services for frail elderly people in this new model," Benjamin said. "Older people, who have complex health problems, need access to specialized geriatric care teams that are specifically trained to meet their needs" noted Young.
About Regional Geriatric Programs and Specialized Geriatric Services in Ontario Regional Geriatric Programs (RGPs) and Specialized Geriatric Services form a network of specialized front line health providers who assess and treat functional, medical, and psychosocial aspects of illness and disability in older adults who have multiple, complex and continuing care needs. These services work in collaboration with primary care physicians, community health professionals, and others, to wrap care around the individual, helping older adults living with frailty remain healthy and independent as long as possible. Supporting these services has the potential to decreasing hallway medicine by keeping our seniors in the community rather that in hospital or long term care.
The Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Office provides leadership in the design of clinical models of care and health services for older people living with frailty.
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1 OHA, 2019
SOURCE Regional Geriatic Programs of Ontario
How Your Heart Benefits from a High Fiber Diet
Spreading the word about steps we can take to protect our heart health can only benefit us in the long run. Whether you opt to help your community or focus on your own home, protecting heart health is a goal worthy of pursuing.
One of the things your heart will be grateful for is a high fiber diet. Eating a lot of fiber has many proven health benefits, and it’s not difficult to incorporate it into your diet, either! Here’s everything you need to know about the high fiber diet and how your heart benefits from it:
Dietary Fiber — What Is It?
Before we can look for fiber in our food, we need to know what it is. By its structure, fiber is a carbohydrate, and its defining characteristic is that it passes through the body without being digested. The central division of fiber is the relation to dietary or functional fiber. This definition refers to the origins of the fiber: dietary fiber is found in food, while functional fiber mostly comes from supplements or foods that have been enriched with fiber.
Some of the foods rich in fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans. According to the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine, men up to 50 years of age should eat 38 grams of fiber per day, while that number for women is 25 grams. However, the statistics show that the average daily fiber intake in America is around 16 grams. It suggests there’s room for improvement, especially when it comes to improving heart health through diet.
How Fiber Benefits the Heart
One of the main ways in which fiber benefits heart health is by lowering cholesterol. Both LDL (which is known as “bad” cholesterol) and overall cholesterol can be brought down by a fiber-rich diet. The exact way fiber makes this possible is still unknown, but the assumption is that fiber binds to cholesterol particles and escorts them out of the body. In combination with healthy natural supplements that fight high cholesterol, fiber can be especially effective.
Other ways in which fiber contributes to heart health have to do with blood pressure and diabetes. Diet rich in fiber lowers the risk of a stroke by 36%, and type 2 diabetes by 30%. Eating a lot of fiber also promotes weight loss and reduces blood pressure, so it effectively deals with all factors connected to heart disease. The standing conclusion of the scientists is that a high fiber diet will help you live longer and remain healthy.
Even though a high-fiber diet has many health benefits, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before changing your diet significantly. If you have to keep your cholesterol levels in check and you’re worried a change in diet won’t be enough, taking natural supplements to fight high cholesterol might help.
If you want to learn more about cholesterol, visit cholesterade.com.
Why women train? Gym time translates to energy, strength for daily life.
International Women’s Day is March 8 and this year’s theme is Balance for Better. Research shows many women are holding down a job and also taking on most of the work when it comes to managing children and the household. According to Statistics Canada research (2015) 46.3% of women reported feeling constantly under stress trying to accomplish more than they could handle, compared with 39.8% of men. For many, this requires nearly superhuman stamina and leaves them exhausted and stressed. For women balancing multiple roles, fitness is a rare opportunity for self-care, an outlet for stress relief and a chance to train for their busy lives. According to Kelly Musovic, personal training manager with GoodLife Fitness, more women are embracing strength training because of its physical benefits, and because it equips them to handle the pressures of daily life.
Whether you train with weights or just body weight, strength training is increasingly popular because it:
Burns more calories. Increasing muscle mass boosts metabolism; after a strength workout, the body continues to burn calories for 72 hours, compared to just 24 hours after a cardio workout.
Builds bone density, reduces injury risk. Stressing your muscles and bones with an increasing load can build strength in bones and muscles. It also helps improve coordination and balance, which can help protect against falls.
Strengthens your heart. Heart disease is the number one cause of premature death in Canadian women. Studies show lifting weights for less than an hour a week may reduce your risk for a heart attack or stroke by 40 to 70 percent
But there’s more to it than that. Strength training can help women prepare for the heavy lifting of their daily lives because of these reasons:
You feel stronger and more powerful (and you probably are). You look healthier. You’re reducing the risk of disease and hitting exercise goals. You have more energy for all aspects of your life, and you have the stamina to accomplish more. These all add to an increased sense of self-worth and empowerment.
Using your muscles triggers endorphins. A strength training workout can boost your mood, help with stress and contribute to a more balanced mindset.
You can get more done. With improved strength, better coordination and balance and more energy, you can get more done by yourself – from carrying the groceries, to mowing the lawn and shovelling to caring for others.
The good news is strength training isn’t limited to powerlifting, it can also be done with hand weights, resistance bands, medicine balls, and even bodyweight. Personal trainers in your area are available to talk more about how strength training helps women tackle their busy, stressful lives and demonstrate some of the best strength training exercises for women.
People-powered care: SE Health recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures
MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 28, 2019 /CNW/ - "It's a pretty typical winter day – it feels very Canadian out there," says a smiling Kathy Wilson, RN, who is on her way to see her fifth home care client of the day. Laden down with electronics, supplies and various tools of the trade, Kathy trudges heavily through the snow to the client's home. "People need to see us, we care about them. On a day like today, we need to be there, just like every other day. And I know we are needed and appreciated; that's why we do home care!"
This modest attribution comes from one of SE Health's cadre of visiting nurses. It's an example of the kind of people organizations need on their rosters to have their name listed as one of Canada's Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures. This program annually recognizes best-in-class Canadian organizations for having cultures that enhance performance and help sustain a competitive advantage.
As for the award, SE Health CEO Shirlee Sharkey credits staff with the honour. "Amazing, dedicated health professionals are at the core of our success – combined with the determination of a talented leadership team. It's an honour to receive this award." Secret success? Sharkey responds, "We are spreading hope and happiness, and we live and act based on that phrase – every day."
This attestation is based on some serious numbers: 20,000 health care visits per day and 50 million over the past 10 years. Building a vibrant, forward-thinking and energized culture doesn't happen overnight; Sharkey says she is humbled by the award, and is quick to recognize staff and leadership for their 'daily intention' to strengthen the culture.
SE Health's pioneering programs run the gamut – from partnering with hospitals and health systems, to delivering connected care, supporting health innovators, championing the caregiver and always re-examining the future. All of these initiatives ultimately feed into a culture of innovation, improvement and pride.
Read more about how SE Health is spreading hope and happiness:
Capes for kids – SE Health staff profile of health services supervisor, Amy Anderson
Paying it forward – visit our website for more stories of hope and happiness
About SE Health SE Health is a not-for-profit social enterprise applying knowledge, vision and drive to forever impact how people live and age at home, today and into the future. With Canadian roots and 110 years of expertise, the organization brings quality excellence and innovation to home care, seniors' lifestyle, and family caregiving. Through its team of 9,000 Leaders of Impact, SE Health delivers 20,000 care exchanges daily, totaling 50 million in the last decade alone. Visit us online at sehc.com.
SOURCE SE Health
Gaining Weight, Losing Energy? Your Hormones May Need This 4-Step Boost
Fatigue, weight gain, declining sex drive, decreasing muscle strength, irritability – all can be unwelcome signs of aging or stress for both men and women. Some doctors, however, think those symptoms often are rooted in a deeper problem: insufficient hormone levels. Studies show a gradual decline in testosterone begins for most men after age 30, and women can start struggling with hormonal imbalance between 35 and 40. Hormonal issues are associated with long-term, serious health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. But before those arise, there are do-it-yourself ways to boost hormones or bring them back in balance, says Dr. Don Colbert (www.drcolbert.com), author of Dr. Colbert’s Hormone Health Zone. “The foundational, do-it-yourself plan is really the best place for most people, regardless of age or gender, to begin their hormone therapy,” Colbert says. “It is the basis of good health. “Millions of patients have been told their symptoms were due to aging, stress, or depression, and were probably prescribed an antidepressant. But what they probably need is, first, a blood test, and then to get on track to optimizing their hormones. When that happens, most of these symptoms can be relieved.” Dr. Colbert summarizes what people can do to restore hormonal equilibrium and enjoy better health and vitality: Use the Keto Zone diet. Dr. Colbert suggests this nutritional approach in which 70 percent of the daily food intake comes from fat (fish oil, seeds, nuts), 15 percent is protein (grass-fed meats, fish), and the remaining 15 percent is carbohydrates (salads, vegetables, herbs). “The Keto Zone diet is one of the best lifestyle diets you can be on because it is anti-inflammatory and burns fat,” Dr. Colbert says. “You lower inflammation by choosing anti-inflammatory foods and lowering sugars, carbs, and starches dramatically.” Increase exercise. Physical activity can strongly influence hormonal health. Two major benefits are lowering insulin levels and increasing testosterone. “Incorporating weight-lifting and some cardio like bike riding or walking on a regular basis make a big difference,” Dr. Colbert says. Find ways to relax. “Stress affects us in every conceivable way,” Dr. Colbert says. “Reducing it is a must for hormonal health. There’s a certain amount we endure, but developing ways to combat stress is key, lowering cortisol levels. When cortisol levels rise, it triggers calorie intake and even obesity. Try soothing music on a long commute, doing things you enjoy, cutting back on caffeine and electronics, turning the noise down in your life – in general taking more time for yourself.” Get more sleep. About one-third of adults don’t get enough sleep. Research shows those who fail to get enough sleep increase their risk of chronic disease. You should aim for seven hours nightly. “Increased sleep boosts the adrenal gland reserve by decreasing the amount of cortisol that the body produces when under extreme stress,” Dr. Colbert says. “Cortisol lowers testosterone levels, so fixing this one area would have a compound beneficial effect on the body.” “Can you boost all your different hormones by improving your lifestyle – changing your diet, exercising, having less stress, getting more sleep?” Dr. Colbert asks. “The answer is a resounding yes.” About Don Colbert, M.D. Don Colbert, M.D. (www.drcolbert.com), is the author of Dr. Colbert's Hormone Health Zone. He has been a board-certified family practice doctor for more than 25 years and has offices in Orlando, Fla., and Dallas. The author of over 40 books, he wrote two New York Times best-sellers - The Seven Pillars of Health and Dr. Colbert’s “I Can Do This” Diet – has sold more than 10 million books and treated 50,000-plus patients. Dr. Colbert is a frequent show guest of Christian leaders Joyce Meyer, John Hagee, and Kenneth Copeland and has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, Fox News, ABC World News Tonight, and in periodicals such as Newsweek and Reader’s Digest.
Pools Aren’t for Fools: 4 Common Swimming Injuries and How to Prevent Them
Swimming is an indoor or outdoor sport that develops strength and endurance. This activity can also be therapeutic, promoting rehabilitation from a number of ailments. However, as with any sport, there is a risk of sustaining injuries. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent these injuries, as well as treatments in the event you experience such an injury. Here are four of the most common types of swimming injuries and what you can do to prevent and treat them.
Muscle Cramps The most common injury, even among casual swimmers, are muscle cramps. Cramps occur when muscles involuntarily tighten and will not relax, causing a severe sharp pain. If this happens, gently stretch and massage the muscle until the pain subsides. Some easy ways to help prevent muscle cramps are taking vitamins high in magnesium and calcium, staying hydrated, and stretching before exercising in the water.
Rotator Cuff Injury Commonly referred to as "swimmer's shoulder,” rotator cuff injuries are the most common among regular swimmers. This injury may show swelling, and the swimmer will have a sharp pain in their shoulder that gets worse as they extend the arm. To remedy this, be sure to ice the shoulder for 10 minutes a few times a day. To help prevent this, practice your stroke technique and avoid training with tired muscles. Be aware of any sudden increase in training intensity.
Back Injuries Those who regularly perform the butterfly stroke may suffer from lower back problems. If this happens to you, be sure to take a couple of days of rest before getting back in the pool. If the pain lingers, place a hot compress on the area. Ways to prevent this type of injury are to stretch before working out and strengthening back muscles by practicing squats and dead-lifts.
Neck Injuries Neck injuries are caused when the swimmer brings their head too far out of the water for a breath of air. If this injury occurs, take a few days rest from the pool and be sure to practice neck-stretching exercises. The best way to help prevent this type of injury is to practice form on flip-turns and strengthen the neck muscles with stretching exercises.
With low-stress impact on the body and combining nearly all major muscle groups, swimming is an excellent sport for many people. That said, there are still some hazards that you should look out for before getting into the water. Follow the above tips in order to prevent and/or treat the most common swimming injuries. Also, be cautious of pool you choose to swim in. And if you find yourself injured as the result of another person’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney.
SPRING INTO SPRING!! 7 Ways to Cope When the clocks Go Forward
We set the clocks ahead for daylight savings and many of us woke up to a darker sky feeling sluggish thanks to a one hour loss of sleep. If you hit the snooze, pulled the covers up over your head still feeling bummed out about your waistline, bank account, career or love life, you’re not alone. Despite more daylight our worries will still be there. So how do we spring into spring, a season that’s all about new beginnings and rebirth? For practical ways, to cultivate optimism in our lives we turned to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a 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 who shares these tips and tools.
1. Focus on the good.
“A daily exercise I often have my patients do is keep an appreciation or gratitude journal. When you focus on all the things to be happy for in your life then more great things come. Think generally and use your senses. What do you appreciate seeing, smelling, touching, tasting, listening to? Write it down. Within a few weeks you'll train the mind to pivot to an appreciate thought when a negative thought comes,” explains Dr. Hafeez.
2. Make plans.
Making plans to see relatives, to see a new exhibit a movie or to travel gets our mind moving forward towards something positive that we can be hopeful and optimistic about. Dr. Hafeez suggests making plans to do 3 things per month for the next 3 months. “Choose things that you know will bring you joy and then go do them! Feeling excited about what is coming and talking about how fun it will be keeps us optimistic and forward moving,” says Dr. Hafeez.
3. Control what you can, delegate the rest!
We get pessimistic and worry about the worst possible outcomes when we realize that we cannot control every detail. This leads to anxiety and an even stronger feeling of having to control conditions, and even others. According to Dr. Hafeez, this is a trap. “Figure out what needs to get done. What actions you can take. Then let go of anything else that is beyond your control with faith that everything will turn out fine. Envision the desired outcome,” advises Dr. Hafeez.
4. Limit your news watching and avoid it before bed.
“There is a very common pattern I see people falling into,” says Hafeez. “People awaken and immediately reach for their smartphone for news headlines. They then turn on the TV news as background noise. They listen to news in their cars, have news alerts going off on their phones all day, catch the evening news and then the 11pm news before bed. No wonder they're less optimistic! What you choose to look at will impact your mood. Remember, good news doesn’t get ratings,” she adds.
5. Don’t snooze. Instead just breathe.
When the alarm goes off give yourself a few minutes to just lie there, eyes closed focused on your breathing. Breathe in counting to 4 and then breathe out. Do a mental scan of your entire body from head to toe thanking your cells for restoring you as you slept. “Deep breathing is a form of meditation and in the morning, you have a small window of opportunity to decide what kind of day you want it to be,” says Dr. Hafeez.
6. Distract yourself with something that requires focus.
The key here is to pick something you truly enjoy doing and do it daily. It can be painting, coloring, yoga, a 20-minute walk or jog, listening to music and dancing around your living room. “When you are fully engaged in something, you can’t ruminate which leads to pessimism,” explains Dr. Hafeez.
7. Make feeling good top priority.
When you commit to feeling good you instantly start to think more optimistically. According to Dr. Hafeez, when you’re mindful of your own negativity and shift to a better feeling positive thought you feel powerful. You’ll feel like you can conquer anything when you can master your own mindset.
Dr.SanamHafeez PsyD is a 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.
Psychiatrist Demystifies 7 Common Misconceptions About Alcohol
Just because a phrase is well known doesn’t make it true, this clinical expert explains why some of the most common myths about alcohol are just that… myths.
It is not uncommon for people to hold familiar myths as fact. Many people regard old college proverbs about partying and alcohol as tried and true. But facts are facts, people! We wanted to find out what science had to say about some common alcohol myths that might have no scientific basis to them. Dr. Duy Nguyen, a psychiatrist and addiction treatment specialist at Beachway Therapy Center in Boynton Beach, Florida offers his expertise on the topic.
Myth #1: Eating After a Night of Heavy Drinking will reduce your Hangover the Next Day
It’s hard to find a group of friends that hasn’t made a junk food trip after a night of drinking and partying. The general belief is that food will sober you up by helping absorb the alcohol you’ve consumed throughout the night. However, our expert suggests that by the time you eat that corner store donut, it might be too late. “Alcohol hits the bloodstream almost immediately after consumption. By the time you eat the junk food you crave, your system has already absorbed the alcohol,” says Dr. Nguyen. “Instead make a mindful decision to eat something before you begin to drink and then party and drink with moderation to avoid the negative effects of alcohol. Remember that food prior to a night of drinks only delays the absorption of alcohol but it doesn’t clear you from the consequences of too much drinking,” warns Dr. Nguyen.
Myth #2: A Cold Shower will Sober You Right Up
Many people think this is an effective way to get over the strain under which they put their body the night prior. The truth is though the cold shower can make you more alert because of the shock of the cold water it won’t change what is going on in your body. Your liver is dealing with the alcohol you subjected it to and your body is dealing with the fatigue. “ The standard notion is that your liver metabolizes 1 to 1.5 ounces of liquor in an hour. That is one standard drink. If you drank more than that then it piles up in the blood and body tissue until the liver has time to process it. The system has to run its course in processing the alcohol and a cold shower wouldn’t change what is already inside your system waiting to be metabolized,” explains Dr. Nguyen.
Myth #3: Liquor prior to Beer is safe but Beer prior to liquor can make you… sicker
The myth originates from the misconception that one standard beer has less liquor than a shot of hard liquor like vodka or whiskey. This is not true. Basically, the idea is that you start with the “stronger” liquor in order to get inebriated quickly and then the “lighter” alcohol to keep the buzz going. One standard shot of vodka has the same about of liquor as a 12 ounce of beer. So the only thing you are affecting is the volume at which you start. In any case drinking too much alcohol to quickly, regardless of what you are drinking will make you sick. “Pacing yourself is the key to not being sick. Anything in excess can be dangerous and that is especially true for alcohol,” says Dr. Duy Nguyen who practices his specialty at Beachway Therapy Center, a dual diagnosis treatment facility in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Myth #4: “I can sober up quickly if I had to”
It’s surprising how many people believe in their own ability to sober up if a serious enough situation arises. This belief is dangerous because aside from being scientifically inaccurate, it leads to poor decision making. “Drunk drivers often believe that they can sober up once they have to drive and they can end up causing accidents, hurting other people or themselves and getting into major trouble with the authorities,” explains Dr. Nguyen. There is no change to the blood alcohol level in your body caused by the need to sober up. You may feel some adrenaline that makes you more alert or awoken momentarily but your perception will still be impaired and brain functions dealing with decision making and operations will still be under the influence.
Myth #5: Puking will sober you right up
Puking can only relieve you of a very small amount of alcohol if done immediately after drinking. The system begins absorbing the alcohol almost immediately and it is likely that by the time you begin to feel nausea there is too much alcohol in your system already. “The brain has a system in place for detecting and receiving signals from the body that toxins have reached a dangerous level and that the body must puke to survive,” explains Dr. Nguyen. “The process of emesis (vomiting) takes place in a few steps. The central nervous system detects the excess of alcohol through the Chemoreceptor trigger zone. This part of the brain then sends signals to the Integrated Vomiting Centre of the brain stimulating the body’s function to expulse the excess toxins from the body.”
Though the body tries it’s best to survive the puking does not sober you up right away and if you get to that level of intoxication, puking will surely not prevent a hangover the next morning.
Myth #6: Painkillers while drinking will prevent a Hangover
Medications are not to be taken with alcohol. Period. Pills like aspirin or ibuprofen are popular for headaches and people disregard the detrimental effects of taking these medications while drinking. Alcohol is a toxin that irritates the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. It can also affect the liver and the central nervous system when taken in excess. Ibuprofen and aspirin can make this worse. “Long term use of this combo of substances can cause damage to your liver and kidneys and deteriorate the lining of your digestive system,” says Dr. Nguyen
Myth #7: Once you break the seal you can stop running to the restroom
Many people will drink heavily and party hard but will hold urine all night because of the ubiquitous belief that breaking your seal and going to the restroom will have you peeing all night. This is an erroneous and problematic says Dr. Nguyen. “Our bodies have a hormone that helps your system reabsorb water from urine and helps dictate the amount of time it takes your bladder to fill up. Alcohol suppresses that hormone and as a result, your bladder fills up quicker because it is not receiving signals to reabsorb water already in your system. Leaving you, aside from dehydrated, with the need to go to the restroom regardless of how long you hold it in.”
About Dr. Duy Nguyen:
Dr. Duy Nguyen D.O. is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist at Beachway Therapy Center trained in general psychiatry who specializes in providing psychiatric care in a variety of settings including residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient mental health, and the VA Medical Center. Dr. Nguyen is committed to providing a high level of evidence-based psychiatric care in the drug rehabilitation setting in addition to having a holistic focus on healing and recovery.
About Beachway Therapy Center
http://www.beachway.comBeachway provides a continuum of care, from PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) to Outpatient services. The facility offers a fully individualized treatment plan that meets the clinical and medical needs of each client usually lasting between 30 and 90 days. Beachway provides an extremely low client to therapist ratio and under high-level professional supervision, clients can begin to recover in a safe, residential-like environment. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) motivational interviewing, addiction counseling, 12-Step orientation, DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy,) trauma-infor
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 338,000 personal trainers in The United States alone. Just like any other field, you have “rock stars” who are the real deal, some above average people, some who are merely competent, and others who have no business training people. We turned to Vince Sant, a certified fitness trainer and co-founder of the fitness platform Vshred.com to help you assess where your trainer falls on the spectrum.
They Don’t Do Any Assessments on the First Session
“The best trainers perform thorough and complete assessments when working with a new client, before doing anything else, states Vince.” He adds, “They don’t just hand you a dumbbell and ask you to copy them. On the training front, that means doing movement screening and even basic performance tests. And on the nutrition front, that means looking at the client’s current intake and assessing a host of lifestyle variables, including schedule, primary complaints/discomforts/allergies, willingness to change, and even blood pressure if a patient has issues. “
They look like they need a trainer
You want a trainer who practices what he/she preaches. This does not mean they need to look like an Adonis, but they should look like they are fit. They are walking billboards of their profession. If they can’t keep it together, how are they going to get you to your goals or preach to you about a lifestyle they cannot maintain themselves?
They entice you to book more sessions
“If you are already working out 3 to 5 days per week correctly, you shouldn't have to work out more, “says Vince Sant. He adds, “If your trainer keeps telling you to work out more than five hours per week, not only do they have you on a poor workout plan, they also are not coaching you well enough on your eating habits. They may also be looking for you to spend more money with them.”
They Tell You to Stretch or Warmup on Your Own
“This is absolutely crazy,” says Vince. “People don't generally know how to stretch on their own. - that’s part of why you pay a trainer! A good trainer should show you what movements to do, which muscles to focus on, explain the when and why of dynamic stretches over static stretching, and benefits of partner stretching. If a client goes and warms up on a stationary bike but has a core- dominant training program, the time has been wasted.”
They Don’t Give You Work to Do Outside of Sessions
Your personal trainer should be shown the door if they don’t give you work to do outside of your sessions together. If they charge you by the hour but don’t try to help you in the other hours in the week, that’s a red flag. Vince points out that, “What you do in your one-hour session should help you to achieve your goals outside of your session. Good personal trainers give you homework, with a purpose.”
They Look at Their Phone While You’re Training
If your personal trainer is taking (non-emergency) texts and phone calls or checking social media in the middle of your session, they suck. There are no two ways about it. Vince adds, “You pay them good money to pay attention to what it is you’re doing. It’s not safe, it’s not professional and it’s a complete waste of your time and money. You wouldn’t let your physician do that with you. A trainer needs to have his/her eyes on you all the time!”
They Talk More Than You Train
“If you want a companion, get a puppy,” Vince says bluntly. Your trainer should be maximizing the time with you, not gossiping or telling his/her tales of woe. It’s fine to chit-chat with a trainer before the “clock starts” or after the workout has ended. The actual training time should be confined to instruction, supervision, coaching, your form and the workout you are doing. Vince says, “With the exception of reasonable rest/water intake periods, you should be in motion/activity for the duration of the session.”
They put you on a bike, treadmill, or stair-master and stand there and watch
“Unless you need a bodyguard while you are on a machine you know how to operate, this is a complete waste of time, “says Vince. He adds, “Your sessions are for being coached, strengthening your body and learning new techniques; not to be stood-by and watched for a complete hour doing the same thing. A good trainer will make sure that multiple body parts are being used and include cardio, body weight resistance, free weights, bands, medicine balls, machines, etc.”
They believe in “no pain no gain”
There is nothing wrong with doing crunches until you “feel the burn.” Pain is your body’s alarm to alert you that something is wrong: that you should, in fact, stop doing what you’re doing and figure out the problem. Vince stresses that “There is a distinct difference between legitimate pain and the soreness you get when you exercise. If a muscle feels pulled, and you express that to your trainer, he/she should lay off training that muscle group until you are completely healed.” If you are beginning training with an existing injury such as a weak Achilles tendon, the trainer should be skilled enough to strengthen that area and avoid moves that will exacerbate it.
Vince Sant, 25, is the Co-Founder of V Shred, the fastest growing online fitness and nutrition portal in the world. As an ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, Former Model Turned Fitness Expert, Instagram Fitness Guru & YouTube Sensation, Vince’s mission is to offer the masses a sustainable and transformative lifestyle-based training program designed to put the fun back into fitness and nutrition.
In 2015, Vince co-founded V Shred along with Nick Daniel, Roger Crandall, Kevin Pearn, who sought out to create a healthy fitness movement specifically designed to deliver profound changes in your body with the minimal amount of workout time.
Vince is responsible for creating some of the world's most popular fitness and nutrition programs such as Fat Loss Extreme and Toned in 90 Days for women and men and Ripped in 90 Days for men.
MedStack Raises $2.4M Oversubscribed Seed Round To Drive The App Ecosystem For Healthcare
TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2019 /CNW/ - MedStack, a privacy and security compliance solution for healthcare apps, has raised a $2.4 million oversubscribed seed round led by TELUS Ventures, with participation from ScaleUP Ventures and Panache Ventures. Existing investor Ontario Centres of Excellence and several existing angel investors have also participated in this round. TELUS Ventures and ScaleUP are joining the company's board with this round, as MedStack celebrates over 50 digital health companies actively leveraging its platform.
MedStack's mission is to enable more digital innovation to be adopted in healthcare so that cloud technologies may deliver care anywhere with smarter, more timely decisions and better experiences. The company's first focus is to help app developers meet privacy compliance requirements, by way of automation systems. Those systems standardize data protection elements for HIPAA and Canadian health data privacy legislations across a broach choice of public cloud vendors and technology stacks and generate real-time-auditable security policies and real-time and fully-compliant monitoring.
MedStack founders, CEO Balaji Gopalan and CTO Simon Woodside, have evolved this solution with the input of hundreds of digital health startups through programs including Dreamit Health, the Creative Destruction Lab and 500 Startups. Over 50 companies now run their apps integrated with MedStack's healthcare compliance platform.
"Entrepreneurs bringing apps to healthcare are doing important work in technology, often inspired by their own personal experiences to make health management and care delivery smarter and better", says Balaji Gopalan. "For too long, developers have struggled because of the challenges of onboarding to the industry's stringent requirements and proving compliance over time, while maintaining technological creative freedom. We've solved that."
The TELUS Ventures investment into MedStack represents a strategic synergy between MedStack's growing reputation as an enabler for digital health companies in Canada, the US and elsewhere; and TELUS' strong leadership in both delivering innovative digital health solutions across the healthcare ecosystem, and collaborating with industry partners through the TELUS Health Exchange (THX) platform.
"We are uniquely positioned as a corporate venture capital fund (CVC) to invest in companies like MedStack that are helping to empower health start-ups to succeed and scale," said Rich Osborn, managing partner, TELUS Ventures. "Our investment goes beyond capital as we leverage our breadth of expertise to support companies in their growth trajectory building networks within the health and developer communities and uncovering new opportunities with other emerging businesses. Together with MedStack, we look forward to advancing the use of technology in healthcare and improving health outcomes."
The funds from this raise will be put towards channel development for the recently-launched MedStack Control, a system that brings real-time hands-on infrastructure control and more flexibility for client companies, as well as to expanding the engineering, sales and support teams to enhance and support the platform's capabilities, and towards earning additional third-party security certifications and attestations.
About TELUS Ventures As the strategic investment arm of TELUS Corporation (TSX: T, NYSE: TU), TELUS Ventures was founded in 2001 and is one of Canada's most active corporate venture capital funds. TELUS Ventures has invested in over 70 companies since inception with a focus on innovative technologies such as Health Tech, IoT, AI and Security. TELUS Ventures is an active investment partner and supports its portfolio companies through mentoring; exposure to TELUS' extensive network of business and co-investment partners; access to TELUS' technologies and broadband networks; and by actively driving new solutions across the TELUS ecosystem. For more information please visit: ventures.telus.com.
About MedStack Launched in 2015, MedStack is a cloud automation technology company that builds and manages healthcare privacy compliance into cloud hosting tools. This greatly de-risks application commercialization, and the standardized platform can help bring apps to market 60% faster. MedStack now provides enhanced app hosting and actively managed compliance policies in several countries to over 50 healthcare app vendors in various spaces. The company is proudly based in Toronto, Canada.
