Program helps northern Albertans manage health and wellness

Free six-week workshop series starts Sept. 10 in Athabasca

Albertans have an opportunity to join a free Alberta Health Services (AHS) program designed to help develop skills to live a healthy lifestyle.

Better Choices, Better Health is a six-week series of self-management workshops. Open to anyone over the age of 18, the workshops support Albertans living with chronic health challenges. Attendees will learn how to make small changes to take control of their health.

Set in an interactive and supportive environment, these weekly two-anda-half-hour workshops are ideal for anyone recovering from a stroke, heart attack, cancer, an addiction, or for anyone working to get healthy by changing old habits.

The program also supports Albertans living with a chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis or a lung condition. It can also assist those experiencing ongoing health challenges that are difficult to manage, including fatigue, weight loss, anxiety or depression.

The workshop is one of many services provided by the AHS Alberta Healthy Living Program, which supports Albertans living with chronic diseases.

Upcoming workshops are scheduled to be held in Athabasca, Cold Lake, Valleyview, Grande Prairie, Hinton, Grande Cache, Mayerthorpe, Westlock, Bonnyville, Slave Lake and St. Paul.

Workshop topics will include: handling pain and fatigue; managing medication; dealing with difficult emotions; eating healthy and getting more physical activity; and communicating with healthcare providers.

Upcoming workshops:

Athabasca: Workshops will be held consecutive Mondays from September 10 to October 22, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Athabasca Community Health Services (Health Unit, 3401 48 Avenue).

Cold Lake: Workshops will be held consecutive Thursdays from September 20 to October 25, 2018, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Alberta Supports (Boardroom, 6501B 51 Street).

Valleyview: Workshops will be held consecutive Tuesdays from September 25 to October 30, 2018, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Valleyview FCSS (Boardroom, 4707 50 Street).

Grande Prairie: For parents that have children with chronic conditions. Workshops will be held consecutive Tuesdays from September 25 to October 30, 2018, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Public Health Centre (Boardroom A, 10320 99 Street).

Grande Prairie: Workshops will be held consecutive Thursdays from September 27 to November 1, 2018, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Public Health Centre (Boardroom A, 10320 99 Street). Workshops will also be held consecutive Wednesdays from November 7 to December 12, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at QEII Hospital (Main floor boardroom, south wing, 10409 98 Street).

Hinton: Workshops will be held consecutive Tuesdays from October 23 to November 27, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Hinton Healthcare Centre (Telehealth Room, 1280 Switzer Drive).

Grande Cache: Workshops will be held consecutive Tuesdays from October 23 to November 27, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Addictions and Mental Health (Room 103, 702 Pine Plaza NW).

Mayerthorpe: Workshops will be held consecutive Tuesdays from October 23 to December 4, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pleasant View Lodge (The Peter Trynchy Room, 4606 54 Street).

Westlock: Workshops will be held consecutive Thursdays from November 1 to December 6, 2018, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Westlock Library (Harvest Room, 10007 100 Avenue).

Bonnyville: Workshops will be held consecutive Wednesdays from November 7 to December 12, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Bonnyville Friendship Centre (Boardroom, 4711 50 Avenue).

Slave Lake: Workshops will be held consecutive Wednesdays from November 7 to December 19, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Slave Lake Lakeland Centre (Room 305A, 101 Main Street Southeast).

St. Paul: Workshops will be held consecutive Thursdays from November 8 to December 13, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the St. Paul Wellness Centre (South side board room, 4801 39 Street).

To register to be a volunteer leader, take part in a workshop, or for more information, call 1-877349-5711. The program can also be completed online by visiting: https:// better choices better health.ca /online/ hl/hl Main

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.