December 2021 News & Updates |
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You are receiving this email newsletter because you have utilized 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).
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Wishing everyone in the Bow Valley and surrounding area a happy & healthy holiday season!
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For some, the Holiday season can be a challenging time. Fortunately, there are local programs that offer various types of support to Bow Valley residents.
Applications for Christmas Hampers are closing soon. See below to apply or nominate a family:
Application deadline December 3, 2021
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Top 10 Tips for Staying Active this Winter |
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It’s that time of year! We are waking up to fresh snow on the mountain tops and the snowflakes are starting to fall.
While the white fluffy stuff gets the skiers excited, this can be a difficult time of year to stay motivated, even for the most dedicated exercise enthusiast.
How can you reduce obstacles and stay active?...
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Why I get the Flu Shot every year... |
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I get the flu shot every year for a variety of reasons. To protect the ones I love, to ensure I’m not putting my patients at risk of getting the flu virus and, if I’m honest about it, to protect myself. Why? Because the flu sucks, like, really sucks.
I got sick with the flu a few years back and my experience was not pleasant. Like other years, I had intended to get the flu shot. That year however, I was sent on an emergency project abroad for a humanitarian aid organization, and the vaccine was not available at the time of my departure.
Let me paint you a picture. I woke up to the thick, heavy heat of an almost 40 degrees celsius. I was feeling exhausted and sore, like the type of sore where you feel like you just completed the most demanding workout of your life, but I hadn’t... read more from Leah Kennedy, Primary Care and Chronic Disease Management Registered Nurse / Population Health Consultant
To book your flu shot:
Some family medicine clinics also offer flu vaccines.
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Upcoming Community Classes |
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We will discuss the use of cannabis to treat chronic pain and explore potential benefits and the risks.
with Jolene Gunn, Pharmacist
Gain ideas and inspiration to keep moving throughout the holiday season!
with Shayla Roberts, Active Living Consultant
Click on the title of each program for additional details
on each of these FREE classes or to register.
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GOOD FOOD BOX
Order by: Monday, December 6, 2021 @ 9am
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Pick-up: Monday, December 13, 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.
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COVID-19 CURRENT INFORMATION |
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Province of Alberta Vaccination Rates
by the numbers (as of Nov. 24):
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6,834,512 doses administered
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88.6% of Albertans 12+ with at least 1 dose
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83.6% of Albertans 12+ fully vaccinated
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Children Aged 5 to 11
With the news Health Canada has officially approved Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for children ages five to 11, and it's normal to have questions, read more about the COVID-19 Vaccine and children under 12. Contact your doctor if you have any further questions.
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.
COVID-19 Testing in the Bow Valley
Bow Valley residents with access to personal transportation should visit ahs.ca to complete an online COVID-19 screening questionnaire.
If eligible for testing, then the patient will be advanced to an online schedule to book an appointment.
For more information related to COVID-19, visit ahs.ca
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A COVID-19 infection can result in long lasting symptoms such as breathing difficulties or feeling short-of-breath, loss of smell and taste, brain fog, and fatigue. These long lasting symptoms have been termed “long COVID-19” and can have an impact on your physical and mental well-being.
Recovery after COVID-19 can be challenging, but there are resources available to help manage your symptoms and get help when needed.
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Mobile Mammography Screen Testing in the Bow Valley in 2022
Banff: January 12-15, 2022 | Canmore: Jan 17-20, 2022
Screen Test is a provincial screening service that provides regular breast cancer screening using mammograms (breast x-ray). Screening is the best way to find breast cancer early, when treatment has the best chance of working.
Women aged 50 to 74: you can book a screening mammogram without a referral or requisition for breast cancer screening every 2 years.
Call 1-800-667-0604 to book an appointment in Banff or Canmore.
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Alberta Health Services offer free online mental health education for parents caregivers of children and youth during the month of December.
Caregiver Education Sessions
These 90 minute online sessions are intended to provide parents, caregivers, teachers, and community members with introductory information regarding mental health challenges that can affect children and youth. This month’s sessions explore how parents can support the wellness of their child or teen through the topics technology and the teenage brain (a session for parents and teens together), sleep and family mental health, self-regulation, depression and self-injury, and resilience in parenting.
Lunch & Learn Webinars
In the 60 minute lunchtime webinars, AHS is offering two topics: how to support children and youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and supporting executive functioning in elementary school age children.
Drop-In Series
AHS is wrapping up the SEEDS parenting series with a final session on supporting our children through the implementation of effective consequences. Caregivers who were not able to attend our previous SEEDS sessions are still welcome to this 90 minute evening webinar.
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Grief Support Walking Group
This no-cost, drop-in grief conversation group is open to all 18+ who are grieving. The group meets at the community mailboxes at Riverside Park (south of 8th on River Road) in Canmore.
The Grief Support Walking Group walks and chats for about 30 minutes and then stops for a guided conversation on the themes of loss and grief.
Every Wednesday: 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm
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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, connects with 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.
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Bow Valley Stroke Support Group Meeting
Are you a Stoke survivor? This is an opportunity to join in conversation with other stroke survivors: to find a space for each of us to offer and receive encouragement, to share experience and support along the long journey of recovery. This meeting is one of fellowship, education, and where we share action plans for encouragement.
Please join us:
NEXT Zoom meeting: Thursday, December 16 | 11 am - 12:30 pm.
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The Bow Valley Primary Care Network is now on Instagram!
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