Chronic Diseases

We’re committed to working with individuals, family physicians and community partners to improve Chronic Disease Management programs and services available to help those impacted by a chronic health condition live a healthier, longer life.

Good chronic disease management includes care and support that is:

• Proactive

• Team based

• Well integrated with primary care (e.g. your family physician or nurse practitioner) and the broader community

• Coordinated across providers and points of care

• Easily accessible

• Has a focus on health promotion and well being

• Encourages involvement of the individual and family in their own care and their ongoing self management. Visit Self-Management BC’s website for more information.

Other partner programs and services available in B.C. and the Interior Health region include:

• HealthLinkBC

• Patient Voices Network

• University of Victoria: Chronic Disease Self Management Programs

• Canadian Mental Health Association: Bounce Back

• QuitNow.ca

• Pain BC

• Physical Activity Line

• The Arthritis Society

• Canadian Diabetes Association

• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

• Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC

• The Kidney Foundation of Canada

• Canadian Mental Health Association

• The Lung Association of BC

• Alzheimer Society of BC

ABI services provide the following:

• Assessment and rehabilitation planning/consultation
• Coordination of services to ensure a holistic approach to rehabilitation and support
• Assistance in goal-based community integration and skill development
• Information about acquired brain injury
• Training and education to service providers working with patients with ABI

As part of an overall case management approach to supporting individuals with brain injury to live as optimally independent as possible, the ABI service case coordinator facilitates referrals to outpatient and community rehabilitation, and community support services. These services may include:

• Neuropsychological assessment
• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Psychological and counseling services
• Home support services
• Social support programs and agencies
• Speech language pathology services
• Day programs
• Drop-in programs
• Life skills
• Mental health resources
• Recreational programs

Currently, general practitioners are the primary health-care providers for patients with chronic pain. Other health-care providers such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and other allied health and alternative therapy providers are also important members of the chronic pain care team.

• Okanagan Interventional Pain Clinic: Specializing in procedural, medical and rehab interventions for chronic pain including pain management groups, self management, consulting services, medical management, interventional treatments and rehabilitation/physiotherapy.

• Self Management BC: Find or request a self-management program near you. Become a peer leader and help others with chronic pain self management. The Self Management BC programs provide information and teach practical skills to help people manage their health conditions.

• Pain BC: Learn about the provincial organization advocating for better lives for those living with chronic pain. Access resources, find out about events and services in your area, and learn more about opportunities to get involved.

• The Arthritis Society of BC: The Arthritis Society offers events in communitiesacross BC for education, self management and techniques for living well with arthritis.

• List of useful links for patients and providers
• Arthritis Society Alternative Therapies Guide
• Chronic Pain Self Management Past, Present and Future
• Physical Activity and Arthritis
• Chronic Pain Self Management Programs UVIC
• Pain Self Management Strategies
• Sleep Hygiene
• Arthritis Top 10 Exercises
• WebMD Chronic Pain Coach app
• My Pain Diary app

Research and National Awareness

• Body in Mind: Research into the role of the brain & mind in chronic pain
• International Association for the Study of Pain
• National Pain Centre McMaster University
• A Whole Person Model of Care
• A Meta-Analysis Chronic Disease Self Management Program
• Fibromyalgia Guidelines

Dementia often causes a loss of memory, judgement, and reasoning, as well as changes in behaviour and mood. These changes often result in a progressive decline in a person’s ability to function at work, in social relationships, or to perform regular daily activities.

If you or someone you love have experienced these types of changes, it is important that you seek medical help and a diagnosis. Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia is critical to ensuring proper support, care, and treatment of the illness. Contact your doctor to discuss your concerns, and to investigate and seek a diagnosis as early as possible.

Receiving a diagnosis of dementia

Your family doctor is usually the health professional who makes the diagnosis of dementia. While disclosing a diagnosis is challenging to both give and receive, when it is done with care and compassion, it can help the person with dementia understand the changes they are experiencing, and provide opportunities for them to be more involved in their own care. In the early stages, that involvement can include asking questions and participating in decision-making and personal planning for the future.

Learning about the disease

Whether you are a person living with dementia, a family caregiver or a friend, it is important to learn as much about dementia as you can. Understanding what the disease is, how it progresses, and what the treatment options are, may help you to adjust to changes being experienced. It is very important to understand that the changes are due to disease and they are not the fault of the person with dementia.

Looking for a place to start? The Alzheimer Society of BC can send you an information package of brochures, fact sheets, and a list of helpful resources. We also recommend learning more about:

• Risk Factors

• Brain Health

• Treatment

Finding Help

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. offers a variety of educational and support programs for persons with dementia, their caregivers, and even the whole family. Find the latest offering of ASBC services and programs in the Interior Health region.

Access to community resources is available by contacting your local community health centre. Check the blue pages of your phone book and ask to speak to a home and community health-care professional.

The Dementia Helpline is a province-wide service for people with dementia, their caregivers, family, and friends. This helpline assists individuals in building the confidence to maintain quality of life when facing dementia.

There is no cost for a home and community health professional to come visit you at home to assess and discuss the care needs of the person with dementia. At the time that the health professional recommends the services that are available, and if you decide to use some community care programs for support (i.e., home support or adult day services), daily charges may apply based on your income.

There is also no cost involved to contact the Alzheimer Society of BC. Mailed print and resource materials and attendance to support groups are provided for free. Some education programs have a small cost associated with them.

Brochures and fact sheets

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. has a variety of free educational brochures and fact sheets for people with dementia, their families, caregivers, and anyone who is concerned about dementia. Fact sheets on day-to-day living, research, legal and financial issues, as well as ethical guidelines are also available. These resources are also available through local Alzheimer Resources Centres or by calling the Dementia Helpline.

Life stories

• Guide to Life Story Tools

• Life Story Template

• Using personal information in care

• Tip Sheet for Students

Resources

• About Dementia

Services are available for both adults and children affected by all types of diabetes including: Type 1, Type 2, gestational (diabetes in pregnancy) and also pre-diabetes. Support partners, caregivers and family members are also encouraged to attend.

Our diabetes services are offered in a team approach, which puts you and your family at the centre of your care. Nurses, dietitians and physicians with specific training and expertise in the area of diabetes management will work with you, your family/support partners, family physician and members of your broader health care team to support your ongoing and changing medical and self management diabetes care needs.

This may be done though individual appointments with a nurse and/or dietitian and, where necessary, also a physician specialist. Group education sessions are offered to help with your initial and ongoing learning needs and skill development. These may include topics such as: Pre-diabetes, diabetes basics, meal planning, carbohydrate counting, or foot care. During these sessions you and your support partners can learn from trained staff, as well as others like yourself living with diabetes.

In most cases a referral is not required from your physician in order to participate.

Find a diabetes education program closest to you to learn more.

• IH Dietitian Services

• HealthLink BC: Dietitian Services

• BC Children's Hospital: Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit

• University of Victoria: Chronic Disease Self Management Program

• Patient Voices Network

• Diabetes at School

The aim of the TIA Rapid Access Clinic is to see clients quickly following a transient ischemic attack (TIA), as patients with TIA are at much higher risk for stroke.

The TIA Rapid Access Clinics provide assessment and treatment by a stroke specialist such as a neurologist, internal medicine specialist, or geriatrician. The stroke specialist may order additional tests, prescribe new medication, and suggest follow-up with other health care professionals. The clinic also provides referral to other specialists and specialized programs, and information for your family physician on how to support you in reducing your risk for stroke.

Patients are asked to avoid driving themselves to the clinic for their appointment, particularly since they may have recently experienced a stroke event. A family member is encouraged to attend appointments with the patient.

TIA is a medical emergency. If you believe you have had a TIA, or are showing the symptoms listed below, you should get to the emergency department as soon as possible, as there is treatment that can be initiated to reduce your risk of having a stroke.

The emergency department can arrange for you to get the appropriate diagnostic assessments to confirm your diagnosis and referrals to physicians who can initiate treatments to reduce your risk for stroke. In some centres, this service is provided through referral to TIA clinics. In other centres, this service may be provided through the emergency department, or in collaboration with your family physician.

Find a TIA Rapid Access Clinic near you.