KEEPING UP WITH
Volume 3 | Issue 2 February 2019
K E N S INGTON
FIGHTING CANCER WITH EARLY DETECTION
LETTER
FROM THE
CEO
This month we launched the Ontario Long-Term Care Association’s (OLTCA) Better Seniors’ Care campaign at Kensington Health. The campaign is designed to help raise awareness about the challenges facing long-term care homes, and inspire the community to make change happen. The OLTCA has outlined three key issues facing long-term care, and has asked members of Kensington Health to write a letter to their Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to advocate for their support. Our goal is to submit more than 200 letters from Kensington! The three challenges outlined by the OLTCA include: 1. We need more staff in LTC homes to care for seniors who have complex care needs 2. We need more LTC beds and to rebuild old homes 3. We need staff focused on caring for people, not reporting to government and filling out forms At Kensington Health, we strive to support the unique needs of our residents in a warm and friendly environment. As you know, there are still gaps in the long-term care sector and an increase in older adults who require 24-hour care. By advocating the government and raising awareness about the challenges facing long-term care, you can make change happen for seniors in Ontario. Thank you for helping make change happen!
Kensington Screening Clinic supports patients in the Toronto community by providing early detection of colorectal cancer. Members of the Screening Clinic team (pictured above) will be taking part in the 2019 Bum Run Event on April 28, to help raise awareness about this preventable disease. World Cancer Day takes place on February 4, and is aimed to reduce the impact of cancer globally. The goal for the day is to encourage everyone to be aware of the common signs of cancer, and to emphasize early detection for all. “With colorectal screening, we’re able to remove the disease before it turns into cancer”, says Dr. Ian Bookman, Medical Director of Kensington Screening Clinic, “Many people don’t think cancer will happen to them, and don’t want to discuss colonoscopies, but it’s important to talk about it because colon cancer is the most preventable cancer. People are anxious about getting their colonoscopy done, but after their screening they often say, ‘I can’t believe that’s it.’”
Kensington Screening Clinic provides 5000 screening colonoscopy and 2000 gastroscopy procedures every year to people in the Toronto community. Barbara Gousvaris, Registered Nurse at Kensington Screening Clinic, knows the signs to watch out for when it comes to protecting your digestive health. “You have to be aware of any changes in your bowel habits such as frequency, colour and shape, blood in your stool, abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. These are all signs of possible problems” says Barbara. “It’s important to know your family history as it relates to colon cancer, and maintain a healthy diet, exercise, avoid smoking and get screened to help prevent cancer.”
To read the full story, go to: https://bit.ly/2DOxOvm Join the fight against colorectal cancer. Take part in, or donate to the Bum Run: https://bit.ly/2AMowxS
