Patients often report knowing exactly what lifestyle changes they need to make for improved health, but find their good intentions all too often give way to entrenched behaviours and lifelong habits. Physicians, meanwhile, struggle with the time intensity involved in lifestyle counselling, wondering what more they can do to bridge the gap between what’s agreed…
Robyn Couture is improving her life by achieving one small goal at a time. She decided to change the way her life was heading last year after starting a blog called, Edmonton Tourist, and talking to her niece who had bariatric surgery. In December, Robyn asked her physician to refer her to Weight Wise. “I…
Don Kupina isn’t ashamed to admit that he’s an addict. It’s an addiction he’s been struggling with for most of his life. “If I was a drug addict, I would stop taking drugs and that’s it. If I was a smoker, I would stop smoking. If I was a drinker, I would stop drinking. But…
When Gary Krutzfeldt started feeling so empty and helpless, he turned to his family doctor for help.Dr. Don Korzenowski of Millwoods Family Medical Clinic prescribed anti-depressants for Gary but told him this was only half the answer and he needed to see a behavioural health specialist from Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network. “I have to…
Anxiety has plagued Sheila Hilderbrandt for most of her life. She would lie awake all night worrying about her health issues. She wouldn’t leave her home except once a week to get groceries. Her mind wouldn’t shut off and she couldn’t control her thoughts. “It started with my diabetes. I had to go on insulin….
A traumatic medical experience forced Beverley Anne McAmmond to change the way she approached her life.After recovering from five surgeries involving diverticulitis, a severe fungal infection and hernia, Beverley was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. Her family doctor referred her to Crystal Degenhardt, a mental health specialist at Edmonton Southside Primary Care…
Compassionate care is what has helped Dave Lidgett through one of the toughest health challenges in his life.Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network (PCN) clinical staff provided Dave with a listening ear and guided him through the health system. The 52-year-old was in a serious car accident in December 2008 where he went through the window…
Larry and Louise Cousins are armed with more information after attending two Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network workshops aimed at educating seniors. They discovered the Housing for Seniors workshop after seeing a poster for it in their family doctor’s office. The couple, who have been married for 42 years, wanted to ensure they are prepared…
Bill Bedwin is motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle after eliminating severe leg pain and keeping his diabetes in check. He started off 2013 by being rushed to a medical clinic because his sugar levels and blood pressure shot up. Bill began experiencing pain in his legs the following month and was referred to several…
It’s challenging enough to manage your own health care needs. What happens if you are responsible for a parent’s health too? Bill and Carol Matthews, both 69, are caring for Carol’s 95-year-old mother. However, the whole family has benefited from the multigenerational care and workshops offered from Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network (PCN). “We didn’t…