March 2022 News & Updates
You are receiving this email newsletter because you have utilized Bow Valley PCN service(s) &/or have subscribed to our newsletter specifically. The monthly newsletter will keep you up to date with what is going on at the Bow Valley PCN
(and a few other healthcare-related tid-bits).

FEATURED COMMUNITY CLASSES
Tuesday, March 15 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sciatica can be a painful and debilitating experience. Get the facts. This workshop will focus on learning the symptoms, causes and therapeutic treatment options to help you find relief and better manage this painful condition.

Led by Kiley Torti, Active Living Consultant

Tuesday, March 22 | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Focusing on understanding the balance and timing of food intake, label reading and food facts/fiction. This session promotes overall health as well as the management of chronic conditions such as obesity, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Led by Zarifa Monson, Registered Dietitian.


Starts Thursday, April 7 | 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
A 4-week, empowering lifestyle program for people who want to pursue healthy living and learn simple strategies to become more active, think more positively, and improve their eating. A waiver will need to be completed before the start of the course. Course dates Apr 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Led by Zarifa Monson, Registered Dietitian and
Shayla Roberts, Active Living Consultant
March is NUTRITION MONTH in Canada!
Each March, the Dietitians of Canada celebrate Nutrition Month. It's a great time to to think about your nutrition and the impact it has on our health!

With food security increasingly becoming a challenge for residents of the Bow Valley, PCN Registered Dietitian, Zarifa Monson shares her insights into food security and it's connection to mental health as well as outlining the many affordable or free resources for healthy food available to local residents:
"Household food insecurity is closely linked with mental health. The more food insecure someone is, the more likely they are to have negative mental health outcomes including depression, suicidal thoughts, mood disorders, and lowered reporting of personal mental health..." read more.
Sexual Health Awareness Week
February 14-18, 2022 was Sexual Health Awareness Week in Canada. Local experts shared information on staying healthy in the Bow Valley. We have some incredible local programs and encourage everyone to get informed, be inclusive and stay safe:


Visit the Harmony Project website to find out how we can work together to prevent sexual violence in our communities.
GOOD FOOD BOX
Order by: Monday, March 14, 2022 @ 9am
Pick-up: Monday, March 21, 2021

The Bow Valley Good Food Box (GFB) is a monthly assortment of fresh produce representing local, seasonal and organic when possible.

The content varies each month based on seasonal availability and pricing. Please note there are no choices/replacement items.

Join us on facebook for Good Food Box updates, recipes and more.

This program is accessible to all Bow Valley residents. Subsidized prices are available to low income individuals and individuals financially affected by COVID-19.
COVID-19 CURRENT INFORMATION
Province of Alberta Vaccination Rates
by the numbers (as of March 6):

  • 8,518,560 doses administered
  • 90.1% of Albertans 12+ with at least 1 dose
  • 86.6% of Albertans 12+ fully vaccinated
The most current and accurate general information for Albertans
can be found at ahs.ca/covid19


PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The Province of Alberta is following a 3-step program to begin to phase out public health measures. The Province entered Step 2 on March 1, 2022.
Find out more about the current situation at


ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS
COVID-19 is still active in Alberta. You are still legally required to isolate if you experience symptoms or have a positive COVID-19 test:

  • If you have received two or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine: starting the first day of symptoms or positive test, isolate for a mininum of 5 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Following isolation, wear a mask at all times when around others outside of home for up to 5 more days (10 total). This means you must eat or drink alone, away from others.

  • If you are not fully vaccinated: Starting the first day of symptoms or positive test, isolate for 10 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.

Find out more about isolation: www.alberta.ca/isolation


GET VACCINATED AND GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOT IF ELIGIBLE

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Children Aged 5 to 11
Health Canada approved Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Read more about the COVID-19 Vaccine and children under 12.
Contact your doctor if you have any further questions.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Book online with Alberta Health Services.

Bow Valley Pharmacies:
Over 1,300 Alberta-based pharmacies are providing COVID-19 immunization with either Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. To find out where you can get vaccinated visit www.ab.bluecross.ca. Bow Valley pharmacies offering vaccines are listed on the PCN website.

Primary Care Clinics:
Alpine Medical Clinic is providing Moderna and Pfizer vaccines as supplies are available. Appointments must be booked in advance. Please check the clinic website for availability.
TOBACCO RELATED-MYTHS: FACT OR FICTION?
Get ready to play!
There are a lot of tobacco-related myths out there.
Can you tell fact from fiction?
Test your knowledge with these 5 questions?

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Seniors' Centre Without Walls Phone-Based Programming

Open to older adults aged 55+ living anywhere in Alberta who find it difficult to leave their homes and are not tech-savvy. Programs are free of charge and accessible by phone via a toll-free number.

View the SCWW calendar of events. To register, call the Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network at 780-395-2626.
Wellspring Calgary

Wellspring Calgary is a registered charity offering programs and services that meet the emotional, social and practical needs of people living with cancer – those diagnosed, caregivers and kids. If you or a loved one has cancer, Wellspring is here for you, visit wellspringcalgary.ca to find out more.
Children, Youth & Families Online Learning Classes

A variety of free, online classes available to parents and caregivers, including Understanding Autism, Body Image and Eating Disorders and Mindfulness: view the full list of classes.
The Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley

The Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley offers a few group support programs, visit their facebook page to find out what is offered throughout the month or see below:

For more information, contact Bill at bill.harder@pcsbv.ca
Parkinson Association of Alberta Canmore Support Group

Everyone is welcome! This Support Group is open to individuals with Parkinson's Disease, spouses, care partners, family members and friends.

The group provides opportunities to learn up-to-date information on Parkinson’s, shares tips and resources, promotes connections to the Parkinson's community and provides support.

2nd Thursday of each month from 1:30 – 3:00 pm

If you’re interested in joining, please contact Emma or Jordan at
403-243-9901 for information and registration.
Bow Valley Stroke Support Group Meeting

This group is for those who have experienced a stroke and is an opportunity to meet other stroke survivors to offer and receive inspiration and have support along the long journey of recovery. The Group offers fellowship, encouragement and conversation and meets for friendship, education and to express where we are in a space with people who understand. 

NEXT Zoom meeting:
Thursday, March 17 (St Patrick's Day) | 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Call or email for more info: 403-763-8418 or  beginning2c@gmail.com.

The Bow Valley Primary Care Network is now on Instagram!
Please follow us at instagram.com/bowvalleypcn!

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.