Poverty Costs ALL of Us

United Way of Central Alberta

Published

4 years ago

1 minute read

Did you know that between $7.1 and $9.5 billion is spent every year in Alberta to manage the symptoms of poverty?

PARTNERING TO REDUCE POVERTY

United Way Central Alberta is an active partner in the Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance (CAPRA).

Poverty is a powerful factor affecting many people who access many of the programs we support. We know that to create real change we have to work with the community to address the systemic issues that prevent people from moving out of poverty to improve their lives.

CAPRA works at the strategic level, taking a big-picture, long-term approach to have a collective, permanent impact on poverty. We are involved in the day-to-day coordination of CAPRA’s work, including communications and the development of a poverty reduction strategy. We also recently funded the development of a new, interactive CAPRA website through a Collective Impact Grant, which is part of our Legacy Investment Fund initiative. For more information visit capovertyreduction.ca.

To learn more about the amazing work that the United Way supports through funding many organizations in our community, CLICK HERE

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United Way of Central Alberta

www.caunitedway.ca

Our Vision: To be recognized as a trusted leader and partner in building strong resilient communities. Our Mission: To improve lives and build community through engagement and mobilized collective action.

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On My Journey to Health

Published on September 21, 2021

Primary Care Network

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in October 2020. I worked with the RDPCN family nurse to adopted a completely new lifestyle. I decreased my caloric intake, started carb counting, and started walking daily. At first I would walk for 30 minutes a day and now I am up to one hour per day. At times the winter weather has challenged me but I have persevered. Evenings were always family time but I steal an hour for my walking. Fortunately, my family is supportive and at times my daughter or a friend join me and give me motivation.

I have begun to feel lighter and in better shape. I have lost 30 pounds and I have normal blood glucose and blood pressure now. I am still awaiting results of a liver fibroscan. It has taken me a lot of work and willpower to stay the course and I am not done yet. I really feel that I have dodged the bullet. For me a prospect of serious illness, heart attack, liver failure, losing a limb or my family losing me… was petrifying.

So if I were to give advice to anyone who recently got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it would be this: first, make sure you understand what is going to happen if you don’t do anything and then think about the consequences it will have on you and your family, those you love the most. For me that was the biggest motivation. And second advice, find your support system: family, friends, medical professionals… anyone that will be able to be there for you, give you advice, challenge you and prop you and push you when needed.

I hope someone finds my story inspiring. After all, for years I had used every excuse in the book, not enough time, I cannot give up this or that… until the prospect of getting seriously ill became all too realistic. It is not easy to change one’s ways, but it is more difficult to live with the consequences of the untreated diabetes, or even worse – to not live at all. My only regret is that I did not set on this journey sooner, before any damage was done.

To learn more about the RDPCN programs, visit www.reddeerpcn.com

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Strategies to Manage Persistent Pain, September 16th

Published on September 9, 2021

Primary Care Network

Strategies to Manage Persistent Pain Thursday, September 16, 2021 1:00-2:00 pm
Red Deer Public Library Facebook Live

Come learn more about persistent (chronic) pain from our team at Red Deer PCN. You will learn about different types of pain, medication to manage ongoing pain, the effects and benefits of opioids, and the importance of non-medication strategies to help manage your pain.

Presented by Red Deer PCN’s Dr. Myburgh G.P, Jennifer Howe, Pharmacist & Jennifer Wallin, Psychologist.