Healthy Abbotsford

Overview

Leading a healthy lifestyle can help you prevent and manage many types of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.  To encourage a healthy lifestyle, organizations, such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, offer wonderful resources and tools on healthy eating, physical activity and living tobacco free. 

Browse this section of the website for great information, links, events and community resources to prevent or manage common chronic conditions.

Facts

• About half of all cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the health of Canadians (Canadian Cancer Society).
• High Blood Pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight, excessive alchohol consumption, physical inactivity, smoking and stress are all risk factors for heart diease that you can do something about (Heart and Stroke Foundation).
• Following the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines can reduce your risk of premature death, coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, colon cancer, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis and improve your fitness, body
  composition and indicators of mental health (Canadian Soceity for Exercise Physiology).

Contents

Heart and Stroke Foundation Arthritis Society Canadian Diabetes Association BC Lung Association Canadian Cancer Society

Exercise for Specific Health Conditions Healthy Eating for Chronic Conditions

 

 

 

 

 

Heart and Stroke Foundation

To support its mission to eliminate heart disease and stroke and reduce their impact, The Heart and Stroke Foundation website provides a wealth of information on healthy living, including:

• Information on heart disease and stroke including types of conditions; prevention of risk factors; warning signs; treatment; living with heart disease and/or stroke and much more.
• A healthy living section with helpful resources and tools to help you eat well, be active, live smoke free and reduce stress.
• A selection of heart healthy recipes which are high in fibre and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt.
• A collection of patient resources and program information.
• A section dedicated to healthy kids including information and resources for parents, schools and communities.

Click here to visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation website.

The Arthritis Society

Take control of your Arthritis and learn to live a fully and vibrant life. The “Tips for Living Well” section of the Arthritis Society website provides you with the tools, resources and tips to manage your arthritis and get the most out of life.
 

Here are just some of the helpful topics found on the Arthritis Society website:

• Managing Chronic Pain
• Dealing with Emotions
• Exercising Regularly
• Guide to medications
• Managing Daily Activities
• Eating Healthy and more…

Click here to visit The Arthritis Society website

Canadian Diabetes Association

Did you know that there are more than 9 million Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, and more being diagnosed every day? Chance are, you or someone you know is affected by diabetes.

The “Diabetes and You” section of the Canadian Diabetes Association website provides plenty of tools and information to help inform you about diabetes, including how to live well with diabetes and how to prevent or delay complications.

Here are some of the useful resources you will find on the Canadian Diabetes Association website:

• Get Checked Now
• Healthy Living Series
• Consumer Publications
• Healthy Guidelines
• Living with Diabetes
• What is Diabetes?
• Nutrition
• Youth

Click here to visit the Canadian Diabetes Association website.

BC Lung Association

Living with a lung disease, or caring for someone with a lung disease, can be challenging. The BC Lung Association knows that with the right information and support you can be empowered to take control and manage your condition. To help you do just that, the BC Lung Association website provides a wealth of information on living well with lung conditions, such as COPD, asthma and lung cancer.

Click here to visit the BC Lung Association website

Canadian Cancer Society

To help achieve their mission to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life for people living with cancer, The Canadian Cancer Society website provides a wealth of information on cancer, prevention, research and support services including:

• Advice on living well including nutrition, fitness, alcohol, smoking and tobacco, sun and UV, Vitamin D, as well as, a section on reducing your child’s risk
• Information on being aware such as getting checking, knowing your body and other helpful facts.
• Support and services such as a community services locator, information on coping with cancer and much more.

Click here to visit the Canadian Cancer Society Website.

Exercise for Specific Health Conditions - Physical Activity Line

Exercise is a great way to manage many different chronic conditions, improve your overall health, enjoy a higher quality of life and take part in activities of daily living you enjoy.

The Physical Activity Line website provides a "one stop shop" for trusted physical activity recommendations for those living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, kidney disease and much more. 

Remember to always talk to your doctor before becoming more physically active.

Click here to visit the "Exercise for Specific Health Conditions" section of the Physical Activity Line website.

Healthy Eating for Chronic Conditions -
Dietitians of Canada

Healthy Eating can work wonders in preventing and managing certain health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Eating well can give you more energy, provide you with better control over your health and help you reach your goals.

The A-Z nutrition directory on the Dietitians of Canada website provides a series of fact sheets on healthy eating for a variety of chronic conditions, as well as, many other health topics. Browse the list to find the information you need to get healthy.

Click here to visit the A-Z Nutrition Directory on the Dietitians of Canada website.

Chronic Disease Self Management Program

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a peer-led patient education program offered in communities throughout BC, including Abbotsford.   This program is for adults experiencing various chronic health conditions, such as hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, stroke and lung disease.  The workshops are also open to their family members, friends and caregivers.  The program provides information and teaches practical skills on managing chronic health problems.  Most importantly, the program gives participants the confidence and motivation to mange the challenges of living with chronic conditions. The courses are offered by the University of Victoria's Center on Aging. 

Other similar courses are also offered by the Center on Aging including:

• Online Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
• Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
• Diabetes Self Management Program
• A Matter of Balance (A fall prevention program)
• Active Choices (A physical activity telephone coaching program)

For information about these programs, including upcoming dates in Abbotsford, click here to visit the Center on Aging website.

Team Diabetes

Improve your health and support the millions of Canadians with diabetes or pre-diabetes with Team Diabetes! Walk, run, bike, or hike in events locally, across Canada or around the world! By fundraising with Team Diabetes you will receive free event entry in local events like the Vancouver Half Marathon, the GranFondo, or the Test of Metal. Or take part in one of our international events and receive free online training from the Running Room, roundtrip airfare, accommodations, and event entry.

To see upcoming events, request more information or find out when the next information night is visit www.teamdiabetes.ca.