Community
Anxiety? Pain? Sleep Issues? Red Deer Primary Care Network has a program to help you live your best life!


By Mark Weber
With the onset of the busy fall season comes the launch of Red Deer Primary Care Network’s extensive programming. Along with the regular workshops and programs, staff are excited to introduce new educational opportunities including ‘Menopause and Women’s Health’.
“Menopause and Women’s Health is for women who are ‘pre, during and post’ menopause, who are looking for information about what to expect and what
potential treatment options may benefit them,” said Julia Vallance, the PCN’s program manager.
“We are going to be running this via Zoom, and it will be on Wednesdays – our first session will be on Oct. 26 and it will run until Nov. 23.”
Those who would like to register can call the main PCN off ice at 403-343-9100. Dr. Esnielle Brooks will be leading the series.
“We will also have our pharmacist on staff, another nurse and one of our counsellors will also be offering information during those series of classes,” said Vallance. “There hasn’t been a lot of information out there about m enopause. Dr. Brooks has done a lot of extra education to become comfortable and competent with this topic. “She’s really happy to share her knowledge and to give women the opportunity to learn more about their bodies, and what is going to happen over time.”
The series will be offered throughout the upcoming year as well.
In the meantime, the PCN’s popular workshops are up and running as well. “These include Anxiety to Calm, Happiness Basics, Moving on With Persistent Pain, Relationships in Motion, Journey Through Grief and My Way to Health, to the Sleep Program and Strong and Steady. A lot of our workshops are now being offered in-person and not just over Zoom anymore.”
Although, as she pointed out, virtual participation is still an option which has broadened the reach of so many PCN programs.
“There are also opportunities where you can attend the first class in person, and then afterwards if something comes up – you are ill or away travelling or there is a reason you can’t attend – you can still take part via Zoom. We are calling it a hybrid model.”
Alongside the workshops are several helpful individual programs as well from Connecting to Community Resources, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Insulin Management to Memory Testing, the MINT Memory Clinic, Pregnancy and Babies, Tobacco Reduction, Recreation Therapy, and Talk to a Counsellor among others.
For the latest PCN news, check out www.reddeerpcn.com or follow them on Facebook to stay up to date as well.
Community
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Community
Empowered, Happy and Healthy


Michelle lost a kidney to cancer 20 years ago. Her blood pressure has been challenging to keep in a healthy range since. A busy life with little focus on healthy got her in trouble. In late December 2020, she ended up in emergency with extremely high blood pressure in the 200/150 range and a blood sugar of 25. She was very sick. She had a second similar episode in January. At that time, she was let go from her job. This turned out to be the best thing that happened as she now had time to focus on her health.
The RDPCN family nurse recommended she attend Diabetes the Basics as well as providing her with ongoing one-to-one support for several months. She also got connected to a weight management program, supervised exercise and Heartwise.
Fast forward to 18 months, she has decreased her clothing size from 20 to 14. Her blood sugar is now 7 and her blood pressure is in the range of 138/95. Great improvements!
She is back to work. She walks about an hour per day and she feels amazing! She has used the portion control plate to help improve her eating habits. She is eating way better and enjoying it. One thing she could not give up was Pepsi. She used to have at least 3 cans per day. Now she uses Diet Pepsi in much smaller volumes, but she cannot get by without some Pepsi. Long-lasting insulin and using the Libre sensor have been great tools to help her live healthily. She feels very empowered, happy and healthy!!
Learn more about the Red Deer Primary Care Network. Click here.
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