Healthier You

Healthier You Summer

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FINDING BALANCE IN PARTY TOWN PAGE 26

SQUAMISH NATION focus on health

SUMMER EVENTS CALENDA R

Page 28

INSIDE

2016

Dangers of night driving – p. 16

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Breaking barriers to healthy living

Healthier You Volume 1, Issue 2 – Summer 2016

Our second edition of Healthier You Vancouver Coastal is all about breaking barriers to healthy living.

As we noted before Vancouver Coastal Health serves a diverse population from Richmond, Vancouver and the North Shore through the Sea to Sky corridor, the Sunshine Coast and up to Bella Coola. Part of that diversity Tim Shoults is found in language and culture, Editor, Healthier You with a sizable portion of the Vancouver Coastal population speaking languages other than English at home and with one of Canada’s largest urban First Nations reserves, the Squamish Nation.

Where can you find Healthier You?

In doctors’ offices, walkin clinics, pharmacies and other community settings, we will be waiting there too – keeping you company, and sharing stories and insight into health-related issues that matter to you.

In this issue, we take a look at how Vancouver Coastal Health works to break down the language barrier by offering its successful Shapedown program in Cantonese and Mandarin in Richmond, ensuring that those sizable communities have access to the support and information they need to lead healthy and active lives.

We also shine a light on the Squamish Nation’s Yúustway Health Services Department, which promoted health and wellness to the many different communities of the Squamish Nation across the region.

Addiction forms a formidable barrier to healthy living for many as well. We take a look at steps to combat addiction, from binge drinking in Whistler to a groundbreaking addictions program on the Sunshine Coast.

Once again, we’re very grateful to Vancouver Coastal Health for their co-operation in putting this edition together and for allowing use of some of their own stories and images from their website. You can find out more about the many services they provide for you at www.vch.ca.

Published by:

www.glaciermedia.ca

PUBLISHED BY GLACIER MEDIA

Copyright ©2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles permitted with credit.

Vancouver Coastal

Contributors / Healthier You is produced by Glacier Media. Editorial content produced in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health.

Contributing Writers / Ian Jacques, Alison Taylor

Glacier Media Group

Sales & Marketing Kevin Dergez Director of Special Projects kdergez@glaciermedia.ca Ellyn Schriber Newsmedia Features Manager BC eschriber@glaciermedia.ca Keshav Sharma Manager Specialty Publications ksharma@glaciermedia.ca

Creative Director / Eric Pinfold eric@phitted.com | www.phitted.com

COVER PHOTO: David Buzzard Photography

Advertisements in this magazine are coordinated by Glacier Media.

Glacier Media does not endorse products or services. Any errors, omissions or opinions found in this magazine should not be attributed to the publisher. The authors, the publisher and the collaborating organizations will not assume any responsibility for commercial loss due to business decisions made based on the information contained in this magazine. Speak with your doctor before acting on any health information contained in this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without crediting Glacier Media.

Printed in Canada. Please recycle.

We’d love to hear your feedback on this edition and your comments, concerns and suggestions for subsequent issues. Please reach out to me at tshoults@glaciermedia.ca.

Enjoy your summer and stay healthy!

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SUMMER 2016

Healthier You

3

featurestory

Yúustway (taking care of each other)

Squamish Nation makes health services a priority IN THE SQUAMISH LANGUAGE YÚUSTWAY MEANS TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER, SO IT’S NO WONDER THAT THE SQUAMISH NATION NAMED ITS HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT YÚUSTWAY.

“In 2008, that was a time within Squamish Nation that they really showed how much they prioritized the health and wellness of their community members by choosing to create a department whose sole priority was to do that,” said Brooks.

By Ian Jacques, Contributing Writer

T

he Yúustway Health Services Department provides quality health services throughout the North Shore and the Squamish Valley to Squamish Nation members.

Many years ago, the Squamish Nation had an agreement with Health Canada to provide those services. In 2008, the Nation had a relatively large department called Health and Social Development. The Nation made the decision to separate that department into two entities, one being Yúustway Health Services and the other child and family development.

Yúustway Health Services department head Kim Brooks was hired in 2008 and has seen the department grow and flourish since the department was created.

4 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

“We offer mental health and addiction services with addiction and clinical counsellors,” – Kim Brooks

PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD PHOTOGRPHY.

Squamish Nation member of the Chiefs and Council Joshua Joseph, or Skwetsi7mehtxw, leads the Squamish Nation music group Welh Tima Kwaxwusem, or Culture Brings People Together, during a ceremony at Totem Hall last summer. continued on page 6

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“Our mandate is to improve the health and wellness of the Squamish Nation membership by providing community health services, promoting health and wellness and supporting access to all health care services, so even outside of our own, including hospital care, diabetes care, specialist care — really supporting community members to access the health system in a good way. We provide a full scope of programs and services. We make sure that our services are accessible and culturally safe for community members.”

Brooks said the department has fostered great partnerships with Lions Gate Hospital on the North Shore and Squamish General Hospital in the Valley, so its members can access hospital services when needed.

She said the programs and services that Yúustway offers are quite diverse.

“We offer mental health and addiction services with addiction and clinical counsellors,” said Brooks. “We offer health benefit advocacy and support — really supporting members to understand what resources are available for them and in some cases, to advocate on their behalf and stand beside them when they are advocating for their own rights within the health care system. We provide home and personal care services to help members live and thrive at home and not have to be in hospital. We provide community health 6 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

nursing, pre and post-natal care, immunization, and a physicians’ clinic that we are currently growing.

“One of the exciting things that has happened in the last three years or so is the transfer of health services from Health Canada to the First Nations Health Authority here in B.C. and that has really allowed us to look at what we are doing and build programs that reflect the needs of the community.”

Brooks said Yúustway Health Services plays an important role within the Squamish Nation.

“We strive to be a place, a service that Nation members are comfortable coming to when they are in need of medical support, when they don’t understand something that is going on with their personal health or when they are reaching out for support for their family members,” she said.

“We are right here in the community and we can provide that safe link to the larger medical community when it’s needed. One needs their health to be able to go to school, take care of their families, go to work and thrive in their life, so without our department and the programs and services that we offer, it would be very difficult.

“We are at a pivotal time in terms of health for First Nations communities in B.C. I think that Squamish Nation and their leadership is very forward thinking and very supportive of the development of health services in the community.

Yúustway is part of a very important family of services that has placed a priority on improving community health and wellness, so we have a bright future.”

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New Community Care Clinic opens in Richmond VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH RICHMOND’S NEW COMMUNITY CARE CLINIC IS NOW OPEN AT 6091 GILBERT ROAD, ADJACENT TO RICHMOND GENERAL HOSPITAL.

I

t replaces the Cook Road Home Health Clinic with a larger facility, expanded hours and updated equipment to better meet client needs.

The Community Care Clinic provides a range of health care and support services to people who have acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative health care requirements. Some clients will need short-term care after being released from hospital, while others may have chronic health issues and need support to remain in their homes.

Clients are referred by their health care provider.

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“It’s just fantastic walking in here,” says Nadja Wojna, a long-time Richmond resident who has used community-based care for the past six months for maintenance of her chemotherapy access device. ”If you’re mobile, you need to definitely come to the clinic. It’s the best.”

The Community Care Clinic effectively doubles intravenous chairs and quadruples treatment space, allowing for more clients to access services. Over the coming months as many as 40 per cent of home-nursing clients will receive their care at the clinic. Services include

10 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

IV therapy, wound care, medication management and some aspects of chronic disease management. “We will continue to offer home visits to those clients who are truly bed-bound or too frail or compromised to leave their homes safely,” says Nellie Hariri, Director, Primary, Home and Community Care. “For everyone else who is capable of getting out-and-about, we feel coming to the clinic optimizes independence, reduces social isolation, and promotes mobility.”

The clinic is phasing in expanded hours, and will eventually be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow for as many patients as possible to be seen in the ambulatory setting. The weekend hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vancouver Coastal Health is responsible for the delivery of $3.4 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

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HEALTHY LIVING BREAKS THE LANGUAGE BARRIER

By Ian Jacques

Contributing Writer

SHAPEDOWN PROGRAM A BIG SUCCESS IN RICHMOND

M

ore Lower Mainland families are eating healthier and getting the vital support and information they need to lead active lives in the languages they need thanks to the Shapedown BC program.

The Shapedown program helps children, teens and their families achieve healthy weights through healthy living.

The free program has been offered at BC Children’s Hospital since 2006, but a year and a half ago, the program started in Richmond and is being offered in Cantonese and Mandarin.

“This program is specifically for the Chinese community here in Richmond, but we have families coming from all over the Lower Mainland,” said Stephanie Lau, acting coordinator/dietitian for VCHBC’s Shapedown Program in Chinese. “We have been very successful.

“In terms of the feedback we have received from

the families they have said they find the sessions very helpful and have learned so much from us and having to be able to share and discuss with other families — sharing recipes, sharing concerns and a lot of them told us or our exercise specialist that they have seen so many changes in their lives. This includes increasing physical activity, eating healthier, having better family relationships.

“We have seen children who were not physically active prior to joining the program and they are now in school teams, and city teams and enjoying playing a sport and being active, so that’s a very big success story for us.”

When the program started at BC Children’s Hospital it was designed to help children and teens aged six 17 years old with weight management issues and their families recognize and overcome challenges to active living and healthy eating.

Through a no-diet, holistic approach, the multidisciplinary team supports families on their journey to create a healthier lifestyle. Families learn to set goals that target positive changes and to facet the issues that may create barriers. continued on page 14

12 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

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The program is referralbased and held twice a week for 10 weeks.

A doctor, counsellor, registered dietician and physical activity specialist support each family.

ABOVE: Stephanie Lau, acting coordinator/ The team helps families dietitian for VCH-BC’s identify and problemShapedown Program solve around their own in Chinese. unique healthy eating and active living challenges.

Each week families learn about different topics including communication, parenting, label reading, improving children’s self “We have seen esteem, family children who were meals and menu not physically active planning.

prior to joining the “We get referrals program and they from family doctors, but a lot are now in of participants first school teams.” call us about the program and then – Stephanie Lau bring their doctor referrals with them, which allows us to learn more about them, their family history, family medical history etc,” said Lau. “Then we invite them to an initial assessment. We spend a morning together getting to know them and they get to know us. We then have a team discussion about how best we can help this family and then give them feedback about three weeks later.

“The next part of the program is the 10-week intervention program. They have a chance to learn from us — the health care professionals — as well as other families who have the same challenges and are experiencing the same health issues.”

Lau said in a community like Richmond where there are many different cultures and lifestyles presented it can be difficult getting the proper health care and feel comfortable dealing with health care professionals.

“Being able to offer this program without a language barrier — in a language that they can understand and be comfortable with is a huge thing,” she said. “I think we are a very good link for the families to help them get the information they need and that it is common to their language, their culture and what they are normally eating.

We also provide them with other services they may benefit from because we have that community connection. I think we are a good start to getting people more connected to their community.”

Besides focusing on food and recipes, culture and cooking methods, the sessions also link the Canadian Food Guide to the Chinese diet and feature an emphasis on physical activity, encouraging parents to join their children in being active and getting exercise.

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Sunglasses at night?

By Dr. Paul Martiquet

Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Seato-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

Worsening eyesight can be dangerous on the road As we age our eyesight worsens – especially at night Does it sometimes feel like you are wearing sunglasses when driving at low light or in the night time? Do you find yourself humming the Corey Hart song from 1984, “Sunglasses at Night?” Though presented as ultra-cool in some movies and music videos, as some people’s eyesight begins to degrade, they might well be living the song title.

Vision problems can be gradual Problems with night vision are linked to a higher likelihood of traffic accidents and fatalities; both driver and pedestrian can be contributing with poor vision. And good daytime vision does not automatically translate to good low-light eyesight. Indeed, because some vision problems develop so slowly, many people will not realize their vision is declining until it has seriously degraded.

Eyesight can be degraded in several ways Problems with low-light vision are part of the aging process. As we get older our pupils get smaller and let less light into the retina. We also experience a reduction in the number of rods in the retina meaning a decrease in the ability to see contrast: objects are less distinct or blend into their background. This could mean not seeing a pedestrian or obstacle on the road. Aging retinas start to lose the ability to quickly recover from bright to dark, for example after facing an oncoming vehicle.

Aging corneas and lenses can also be less clear (cataracts) thus causing light to scatter inside the eye and increasing glare. Aging is not the only culprit for declining night vision. Problems may also arise for people with diabetes or dry eye syndrome, and after LASIK or similar eye surgery.

Infrastructure changes can help One way to improve our safety on the roads at night is to make infrastructure changes: better road lighting, more and better reflectors and paint on the roads (have you seen how brightly those new reflectors are?!) and adding rumble strips on the shoulder. Vehicles are also getting improvements including new headlights which produce much more, cleaner light.

16 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

And on some luxury vehicles we are seeing ‘nightvision systems’ which can ‘see’ pedestrians and animals using infrared cameras.

Be proactive and visit an eye care professional It may be hard to know if your night vision is becoming less effective. Indeed, since most eye exams take place under daylight conditions, even an eye test might not be enough. If you have any concerns about declining night vision, talk to your eye care professional who can test for it. You may be offered night driving glasses if there is a problem, even if you don’t wear glasses during the day.

There are steps to take which can improve your safety and that of others on the road with you. These suggestions work even if you still have good night vision.

Start by making sure windows, headlights and mirrors are clean and that windshield wipers work well. When driving, slow down and maintain extra space margins; don’t overdrive your headlights. As a pedestrian or cyclist, wear light clothing, or better yet, reflective gear and walk facing oncoming traffic.

Because eye problems can decline so gradually, you might not realize that you have become visually impaired.

If you have any doubt about your night vision, limit yourself to daytime driving and arrange for an eye exam.

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FINDING HEALTHY FOOD FOR ALL

BC Association of Farmers Markets offers coupon program to help those in need

By Ian Jacques

Contributing Writer

E

veryone should have access to healthy foods in their communities. But due to economic factors, or travel constraints, many in our communities struggle to get the proper fruits, vegetables and other staple food items for their dietary needs.

The BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) is helping to break down those barriers to healthy eating and access to healthy, home grown food in our communities.

The FMNCP supports farmers’ markets and strengthens food security across the province.

Community partner organizations hand out coupons to lower-income families and seniors participating in their food literacy programs. These coupons can then be spent at all B.C. farmers’ markets that participate in the FMNCP to purchase fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, nuts, fish and meat.

PHOTO COURTESY BC FARMERS MARKETS:

Farmers Markets like the one in Powell River (above) offer coupons to give more people access to healthy, homegrown food in their communities.

continued on page 21 8

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SUMMER 2016

Healthier You

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Each household that is enrolled in the program is eligible to receive a minimum of $15 per week in coupons.

The program began in 2007 as a pilot project operating in each of the five health regions of B.C. and began receiving funding from the Ministry of Health in 2012. Since then, the program has continued to flourish, and will serve 53 different communities across the province – up from 48 in 2015 – when the program starts up on June 6.

PHOTO COURTESY BC FARMERS MARKETS:

The Farm Gate Market at the Roberts Creek Hall on the Sunshine Coast is one of the farmers markets accepting coupons through the FMNCP program this summer.

“Since 2012 we have been able to find some efficiencies and roll over some surpluses from year to year and felt confident we could offer the program in more communities,” said Peter Leblanc program manager for FMNCP, on this year’s program expansion.

“On top of that, we have a number of our communities who when they receive an allocation from us, they can then go into their communities and solicit more support to be in the program because in many instances when we are in a community the amount of families we could support could be greater, but our program funds are at capacity.”

Leblanc said they measure the success of the program in a number of ways. “Is it something that operationally works? Can this work across the province whereby thousands and thousands of families are getting access to these coupons and going to the farmers’ markets and the farmers’ markets gets them and we reimburse them. The whole circle works, so that’s good,” he said. “The participants are finding immense satisfaction in the program.

They like what they can get at the farmers’ market. They like having better access to healthy, nutritional food for their families and when we look at how many of the coupons we give out over a course of the season and see that 93 per cent of the coupons are ending up back in the farmers’ market, that is a pretty good indicator that the program is popular and useful for the participants.”

Leblanc said the farmers themselves are also pleased with the program’s success.

“The farmers’ market is there to serve the local community, so when the coupon program is present the farmers’ market represents an even wider spectrum of the community in terms of who it supports and who shops there,” Leblanc said. “Our farmers in B.C. are very passionate about feeding the local community, so this program really ties in well with doing that because they are helping to support low-income families in need.”

Community funding partners have also been key. “We have a program that works. It’s something that can be expanded and it makes it easy for our community partners to invest in because we have everything in place to get more coupons into the hands of people in their community,” Leblanc said.

“It really is something that we have a deep appreciation for because it really shines a light on how key a player a farmers’ market is to a community.

PARTICIPATING FARMERS’ MARKETS In the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region, the FMNCP will be offered at: 

G ibsons Public Market in Gibsons Landing on Fridays from 1:30 to 6 p.m.



Farm Gate Market at the Roberts Creek Hall on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m.



Sechelt Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market in downtown Sechelt on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.



Squamish Farmers’ Market in downtown Squamish on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.



Whistler Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.



Pemberton Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m.



Powell River Open Air Farmers’ Market Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.



Lonsdale Quay Farmers’ Market (North Vancouver) Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“On our side the farmers’ markets end up being these small, but powerful agricultural economic engines in the community. We are able to keep agricultural land in production, support families that are growing at a larger scale and this just continues the investment in that and makes the markets an even more vibrant place every week.”

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healthylifestyle

Breaking the cycle of addiction Ian Jacques

Contributing Writer

Sunshine Coast Health Centre a leader in addiction treatment

S

unshine Coast Health Center in Powell River is committed to reducing the impact of addiction in coastal communities.

The Centre began its operation in 2004 started by the Jordan family who have a history of mental health work with the provincial government.

According to marketing manager Casey Jordan, her family saw a need for greater treatment help in the area.

“We started this facility and throughout the years we have changed the program, specifically in 2008 we went from a 12-step program to a meaning-centred therapy model and every year we have expanded the facility. We now have 36 beds,” explained Jordan.

“We offer a primary addictions program. Not everyone takes the same program, so depending on the client you might also be in our trauma program, so you will have other services designed for you. We have a program for clients who are returning, so that is slightly different. We also have the detox program only and that also allows us to assess our clients to see if they would like to expand their stay and their program to help them deal with other issues.”

Sunshine Coast Health Center is Canada’s leader in men’s residential addiction treatment. They have served men from coast to coast, including many from the United States and overseas.

The Center is one of only a handful of private residential treatment centers in Canada. Their approach to treatment is not only distinct from government programs but also positions itself as a clear alternative to traditional 12-step programs that dominate private treatment in Canada and the United States.

Unlike government residential programs, clients don’t have to wait be “clean and sober” before being admitted because of the on-site medical detox staff with nurses, a physician, and psychiatrist. While most government residential stays are a maximum of 30 days, clients at Sunshine Coast Health Center have the option of 30, 42, 60 or 90 day stays.

Another distinguishing feature is their 7.5-acre waterfront campus designed to enhance the treatment experience. Amenities include massage therapy, off-site recreation, an exercise pool and a fully equipped fitness centre.

PHOTO: Courtesy Sunshine

Coast Health Centre

Sunshine Coast Health Center offers one of the few non-traditional programs in North America that goes beyond the biological, disease concept of addiction. While the debate on what causes addiction continues, Sunshine Coast Health Center believes that embracing multiple perspectives (the psychological, the social, the spiritual, and the biological) with an approach to the client based upon unconditional, positive regard will eventually become the standard in private treatment.

“A number of our competitors are co-ed while we are single gender. We are a leader in our programs for our men-only facility,” said Jordan. “We offer programs that take into account leading edge medical studies and treatments. Being a men’s-only facility, our clients can be more authentic in terms of their participation, they can share more openly and they feel comfortable sharing with their own gender that are sharing possibly the same experiences and the same challenges. I think singlegender facilities are the best option be it our men’s-only clinic or a female-only clinic.”

Alcohol is the most common abused drug that the Center sees, followed by cocaine (particularly crack cocaine). Frequently, clients take both alcohol and cocaine.

Opiates are the third most common class of drugs, with Oxycontin and other prescription painkillers growing in use – and abuse.

According to Jordan, the Centre measures its success on an individual-by-individual basis.

“We don’t follow a quantifiable success rate, but we know our program works,” she said. “We keep in very close contact with our clients — as much as they want us to — and the feedback we get is tremendous. We also have a very strong after-treatment care that is specifically geared as well to families. When someone is struggling with addition and first come to us it is just not on the individual to get the necessary treatment and care, but it is also up to the family members to understand what the addiction is, why it is happening and how it can be treated.

“We know for sure that our model makes a difference.

We have had clients that have gone elsewhere, but they have come to us and said our program just makes so much more sense.”

For more information on the Sunshine Coast Health Centre call them toll free at 1-866-487-9010 or see: www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca.

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SUMMER 2016

Healthier You

23

Story courtesy of Vancouver Coastal Health

Mountain biking safety: avoiding injuries

By Dr. Paul Martiquet

Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

Types of injuries The types of injuries showed numerous consistencies: most of the less severe were fractures in the upper extremities such as wrists, arms and shoulders, sprains and concussions. Injuries were usually caused when riders lost control and flew off their bikes, usually over the handlebars. The majority of injuries occurred in the afternoon. This could be from late starts, but just as likely occurred when riders were more fatigued or more adventurous.

Strategies to avoid injury The best way to mitigate injuries, aside from slowing down is to have the skills to match the challenge and to ride in control. Wearing protective gear such as body armour is another good idea. Taking steps to protect yourself, and others on the trails, means your chances of cutting the season short with an injury drop dramatically.

Improve skills

A

sk any real enthusiast about their love of riding our local trails and you will hear all about the rush they get from being on their bikes, the great terrain, the speed, the wind in the face and even of being on that edge of control which fires up the adrenaline. Some will describe a difficult section of trail that demands slow, controlled effort, but all will have stories to share.

Whistler study results are alarming

There are resources in all our communities to help mountain bikers. These include skills courses at recreation centers, bike shops or cycling clubs. Get to know others you see on the trails and share experiences and knowledge. Good riders work on their skills. They ride smart by starting small, working their way up to the stunts and obstacles they really want to take on. And there is no shame in walking the areas of the trail that you don’t feel comfortable in riding.

Use protective gear Investing in good quality pads or body armour will certainly make a difference the next time you take a header over the handlebars.

Unfortunately, with the excitement and speed of the sport come injuries. Indeed, mountain biking is one of the most common sources of summer injuries, and some of the most severe. Dr. Annie Gareau from the Whistler Health Care Centre (who co-authored the Whistler study below) says that “one in 1000 skiers are injured; one in 100 snowboarders; and one in 10 downhill cyclists!”

Be in control

Safety gear matters

Ask anyone and they will tell you our region is chock full of great trails and terrain mountain bikers to enjoy.

Just do it safely.

The study, published in 2011, analyzed injuries at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. It was one of the few such studies and it told us a lot about injuries in the sport. Of some 900 individuals who were injured enough to look for medical assistance, 95% used only the (mandatory) helmet as safety gear. About two dozen used more gear including a range of knee and elbow pads, neck guards and a full body protective suit.

24 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

Riding in control of your bike is an essential step in your safety. Riding out of control means losing the ability to adjust to the terrain as you ride over it. Control will not only prevent crashes, but could well mean avoiding injury to yourself, or others. Riding around blind corners? Slow down — who know what’s there or who’s coming at you?

Learn more For more information about injury prevention check out Parachute Canada www.parachutecanada.org. Parachute Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives.

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healthylifestyle

LIFE IN ‘PARTY TOWN’ IS ABOUT FINDING BALANCE

By Alison Taylor

Contributing Writer

Whistler tops in province for binge drinking

W

hen it comes to being the best ski resort in North America, it’s not all about the vertical feet, the fresh snow and the world-

class terrain.

There’s something else altogether that helps Whistler take the top spot year after year— its legendary après and nightlife scene.

There’s a reason why the town is sometimes dubbed the “Vegas of the North,” a label that fuels the multi-million-dollar nightlife industry in Whistler.

“We have always sold the resort on the auspices of coming to party,” said Greg McDonnell of McDonnell Counselling.

Whistler is a place where people come to live big and celebrate life — biking and skiing hard, pushing their limits, living a little less ordinary.

“I hate to say it, but it’s play hard and party hard,” said Paul Martiquet, Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health, which includes the Sea to Sky corridor.

26 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

PHOTO: David Buzzard Photography

This life philosophy is part of the very DNA of the town. But beneath that fun-loving, young, live-on-the-edge persona, there is a very real and down-to-earth community, grappling with fallout of life in a party town.

Communities That Care

“We have to look at the fact that we are a resort community,” said Cathy Jewett, chair of Communities That Care (CTC) Whistler.

“We feel the young adult population has a significant effect on our community from everything to the influences on the parents to the influences on the kids,” said Jewett.

“How do we strike that balance between making sure the tourists have a great time here and making sure that the people who live here have a healthy lifestyle?”

Beyond the image Unlike the glossy images of fun in the mountains, Whistler’s statistics tell another story.

The results of the largest community health survey in B.C., released last summer, found that Whistler was tops in the province for binge drinking, physical activity and sense of community, an interesting and related trio of community indicators.

Forty-three per cent of local respondents in the My Community, My Health survey reported binge drinking one or more times a month, nearly double the rate for Metro Vancouver respondents. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in a sitting for men or at least four for women.

It’s data that does not surprise, given the makeup of the town as transient workers rotate through every season.

The 2011 census shows that of the 9,824 people living in Whistler, more than a third of that population is between 20 to 35 years old. This is a young, vibrant town.

“It’s great fun because of course it goes straight to our reward centres and makes many people find it easier to connect and talk to each other and enjoy socializing,” said Dr. Tim Stockwell, director of the Centre for Addictions Research of BC at the University of Victoria.

“I can see culturally how it fits and how also it’s something we prefer not to look at… in terms of the potential for harm,” added Stockwell.

Among the health problems associated with binge drinking are sexually transmitted diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease and neurological disease, not to mention the unintentional and intentional injuries.

The Whistler Health Care Centre does not track stats on alcohol-related visits because they are not entered with a singular diagnosis.

But what does this behaviour mean for the wider community, for the parents raising young kids in Whistler and the teenagers coming of age here?

Communities That Care Whistler has been surveying youth and the younger population to understand these behaviours and what they mean.

“That’s why we do the survey(s) — to look at the lifestyles and the potential effects on our community,” she added.

The latest survey, the results of which will be released in the fall, had more than 800 respondents of young adults 18 to 30 years old.

Jewett shared some of the early data.

More than half (51 per cent) said alcohol affects their physical health and almost threequarters (71 per cent) said alcohol effects their finances.

“We have to look at the When asked if they were comfortable fact that we accessing health and are a resort community services in community,” Whistler, 49 per cent said they weren’t familiar with – Cathy Jewett the programs. Similarly, respondents did not have a high awareness of LUNA events — healthy and alcohol-free alternatives for Whistler’s young population.

And so the issues persist for the resort community.

“The issue of livability here, particularly for the transient young workers, that’s something that we really have to understand,” said Jewett.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has drafted a Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP) to manage alcohol use at municipally-owned facilities. The policy, which council has not yet seen or approved, is designed to encourage moderate use of alcohol at these facilities.

Martiquet added: “I’m encouraging them (the RMOW) to follow through with it and make Whistler have a world-class alcohol strategy to promote responsible drinking.”

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SUMMER 2016

Healthier You

27

eventcalendar

SUMMER 2016

GET OUT AND GET ACTIVE The dog days of summer are here, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop being active. There are lots of ways to get outside and get active in July and August.

Whether you are the weekend warrior to the every day fitness fanatic or just want to get out with your family and friends, there are many running events in the Lower Mainland, North Shore and Sea to Sky Corridor that everyone can take part in.

JULY July 1: Run Canada Day 10k/5k Get in the spirit of Canada Day and Canada’s birthday with a 5 km, 10 km, or 1km kids fun run along the beautiful trails of Pacific Spirit Park in Vancouver. www.runcanadaday.com July 9: Knee Knacker The Knee Knacker is a challenging 30-mile foot race along North Vancouver North Shore trails. www.kneeknacker.com/race-info/welcome-to-kneeknacker-2016/ July 10: Rocky Mountain Soap Women’s Run & Walk The Vancouver Rocky Mountain Soap Women’s Run & Walk is the sister race to the popular Camnore version of this run. It promises a fun-filled day for women and girls of all ages with 5km and 10km distances for all abilities. www.rmswomensrun.com July 16: Summerfast 10k A scenic and fast, flat course through Vancouver’s Stanley Park and around the famous seawall. vfac.ca/club-events/summerfast-10k/ July 16: 5 Peaks British Columbia Race Four This 5 Peaks event taking place at Cypress Mountain features a variety of races including a children’s challenge, a timed kids race, a shorter sports course and a slightly longer enduro course. The event will see a combination of single-track, cross-country ski trails and hiking trails. This is a true trail run from start to finish.

Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers in each age category in all distances, as well as top three male and female finishers overall. www.5peaks.com/britishcolumbia/

28 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

July 23: Buckin Hell This course starts and finishes in beautiful Deep Cove.

There are two distance options: a 15km short course and a 50km course that can either be run solo or as a relay team.

The 15km course has just 900 meters of climbing and descent, while the 50km course features more challenging and technical terrain. The 50km solo and relay race both have an 11-hour time cap. www.coastmountaintrailseries.com/buckin-hell.html July 23: Sea Cavalcade Mile (Gibsons) The Sea Cavalcade Mile is a fast, straight, net downhill road mile right before the Sea Cavalcade Parade in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. This is a family-friendly event with low entry fees, age group awards, and cash for the top male and female. Come for the run, stay for the fun summer festival! This is an easy day trip from Vancouver. www.seacavalcade.ca/events/mile.htm July 24: Vancouver Pride Run and Walk The annual Vancouver Pride Run, hosted by the Vancouver Frontruners, is a 5km seawall run course that starts and finishes at sunset beach in Vancouver. The Pride Run and walk is for everyone of every ability. Some run competitively and look to get a great time; many people run or walk to meet their own goal which could simply be about taking part. raceroster.com/events/2016/8001/vancouver-priderunwalk?aff=FZ4HS&aff=FZ4HS July 30: Color Me Rad Vancouver A colour-filled, costume-filled fun run in downtown Vancouver. www.colormerad.com

eventcalendar

SUMMER 2016

AUGUST Aug 6: MEC North Vancouver It’s summer half marathon time at the fourth MEC North Vancouver race. This event has a couple of fun distance options. Overall top three finishers in each distance will receive a custom medal, expect the usual great coffee and post race bananas, and, free massages at the finish line! events.mec.ca/event/96101/mec-north-vancouver-racefour-5k10k-trail-race-2016 Aug. 6: City Chase Vancouver Fun Run The GoodLife Fitness City Chase is Canada’s largest urban adventure series where teams of two people race around their city completing an array of different challenges.

Teams are given clue sheets that give them locations around Vancouver dubbed ChasePoints. They have to get to ChasePoints using their own two feet or public transit and complete various challenges. Once teams complete a certain number of ChasePoints they race back to the start line as fast as they can. If your team is lucky enough to be the first one back you go on to the national championships where you compete against championship teams from other Canadian cities for big prizes and all of the glory. goodlifefitnesscitychase.ca/events/vancouver Aug 13: Seawheeze Half Marathon Lululemon bills their Seawheeze half marathon as “more than just a run, it’s an out of this world weekend where you’ll get your yoga on, crush your running goals, and celebrate it all with family and friends at the best outdoor concert of the summer.” The event is a massive race and has recently been attracting fields of around 10,000 runners. It has fast become a destination half marathon, and typically brings in a large number of out of town runners. www.runguides.com/vancouver/event/seawheeze-halfmarathon

Aug. 13: Livewire RED Relay Join the LiveWire Red Relay for a 12km relay fundraiser run to help LiveWire, an after school program in Vancouver.

Gather a team of four. You each run 3km, which will be a lap around Queen Elizabeth Park. Teams of two run 6km each, which will be two laps each around the park. RED (Respect, Engage, Dream) is what LiveWire tries to teach its students. www.eventbrite.com/e/livewire-red-relayregistration-17543104899 Aug. 20 & 21: Squamish 50 The Squamish 50 races are tough, truly unforgettable trail running experiences that happen straight out of the recreation capital of Canada. This event takes place over Saturday and Sunday. This trail race weekend features a number of events that happen over a two-day period.

Trail fanatics can find all sorts of “type 2” fun on the 23k course, 50k, or 50 mile run. squamish50.com Aug. 27: 5 Peaks British Columbia Race 5 This 5 Peaks event taking place at Whistler/Blackcomb features a variety of races including a children’s challenge, a timed kids race, a sports course and a slightly longer enduro course. Whistler is a 5 Peaks racer favourite, with classic scenery! www.5peaks.com/britishcolumbia Aug. 28: MEC Vancouver MEC Vancouver’s fifth race of the season is aimed at laying down some speed before settling in to the autumn routine. In addition to a professional chip time, runners can expect a measured route and a real race atmosphere, plus the standard complimentary coffee, bananas and recovery snacks. events.mec.ca/event/99536/mec-vancouver-race-five5k10k

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SUMMER 2016

Healthier You

29

techhealth

Helping seniors stay healthy at home Tech-savvy Powell River seniors team up for home care website

By Chris Bolster

Powell River Peak, www.prpeak.com

W

ith more and more seniors comfortable using computers it should come as no surprise that there is also an increasing number who are going beyond just surfing the net, checking email or catching up on Facebook.

Dr. William Mitchell Banks, 85, is one such senior.

“I’ve become enamoured,” says William. “As Bill Gates said, ‘computers are cool.’”

For the past two decades William has been creating websites for companies and individuals, but even before then he had been using computers to organize his work with Rotary clubs.

His first computer, which he “inherited” from his son who was upgrading his work computer, was one of the first PC computers from the early 1980s.

coast. She is currently working on a book about her trip to Antarctica to commemorate Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1908/09 expedition to be the first to reach the South Pole.

When she is not working on her passion projects she helps pay the bills by working as a copywriter for websites.

Heather and William were brought together by Michelle McIntosh, owner of Powell River Home Care Services, Ltd., who knew both seniors and needed some help herself.

Michelle, a registered nurse with more than two decades’ experience working with seniors, says a few months ago she decided to start her own business that would provide health care services in people’s homes, but she needed some help to put together the company’s marketing.

“We just want to publicize this a little better than what she is doing right now,” Heather says. “I did a brochure for her which was aimed for people in the community and might need the service.”

Michelle has known both Heather and William for several years as they have been her clients and she knew that they understood what she wanted to do with her company.

CHRIS BOLSTER PHOTO: Dr. William Mitchell Banks and Heather Harbord are working together to create an Internet presence for a Powell Riverbased seniors’ home care service.

It is a service that can give families some piece of mind that their loved one is getting the help they may need, Heather says. And it helps seniors stay in their home where they want to be, she adds.

“There are a lot of adult children in various parts of Canada and the world who have parents who live in Powell River,” Heather says. “They can’t just pick up and easily get here.”

“It was terrific; it was like lightning,” he says. “I just loved it and I loved to code in DOS [the pre-Windows operating system].”

Michelle understands the local medical situation, says Heather. She has “a good breadth of experience with old people and she likes them.”

More seniors are comfortable with computers and, as William explains, younger people are always surprised by how tech-savvy the octogenarian is. He uses his smartphone calendar app to sync his appointments with his tablet computer to stay on top of his day.

Heather says the website is for the people she is going to be helping and will give them basic information about what kind of services the health care provider can bring.

He has teamed up with Heather Harbord to create a website for a Powell River-based seniors’ home care health service.

“I’m doing the words and he’s doing the computer stuff ,” says Heather, who added that she knows how to make websites too but working together on it will be less frustrating.

Heather, who is in her 70s and still very active, is a celebrated local author and adventurer who has written a variety of local history and sea kayaking travel guides for the Upper Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island’s west 30 Healthier You SUMMER 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

Michelle has the staff and goes out to assess clients’ needs, makes a plan and, upon the plan’s approval, can keep in touch with the people who are far away, Heather says.

“If they know they can email Michelle when they have a feeling that something just is not right, then she can go check on them.”

Michelle is happy to have been able to create the project for Heather and William.

“They’re both exceptional people and both very interesting as individuals,” she says. “In the course of getting to know people in my business and my career I’ve met a lot of very talented people who still have lots to offer.”

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