For patients enrolled in the IHN by their family physician, the following services support your care as a partner in the Integrated Health Network.
We are delivering a new way of health care services that relies on the patient to be a partner in their own health. The purpose of our sessions is to provide you with information and community resources to support self-management of your chronic conditions.
Your team is you, your physician, family, friends, other health professionals in your community and your community resources.
IHN Session Series
Nanaimo Integrated Fitness Challenge
The focus of the Integrated Health Network Fitness Challenge is to promote healthy lifestyle habits for IHN clients who are having difficulty getting active.
The IHN Fitness Challenge encourages clients to commit to a specific amount of daily physical activity over a 12 week period.
The program does not require any previous athletic training and all levels of fitness are welcome.
Clients will agree on a basic fitness plan with their IHN clinician and will be given a 12 week calendar where they can record the number of minutes of physical activity they do each day.
Over the 12 week period, participants will aim to increas the weekly amount of time they spend being physically active; this could mean walking, swimming, climbing stairs or attending a fitness class or anything else that gets your body moving.
IHN clients may be required to obtain a doctor's permission before beginning a fitness program.
Fitness
Learning to Exercise Again
This is a series of exercise classes lead by Tara McNeil, a Certified Personal Trainer created especially for the beginner with gradual progression of classes to give you the confidence to continue exercising on your own or with a group after you finish the program.
Stretch, Tone, and Strengthen class
This class will include all main muscle groups and will work on your balance, core, flexibility and overall strengthening of muscles. There will be levels given and modifications for those with limitations/health restrictions. As the class progresses we will also work on strengthening/motion based activities to also get our bodies moving. Chair work and resting when you need to is encouraged so all levels of fitness can attend and you may work at your own pace. Attend the sessions once or twice a week and do one session at home.
These classes were created by patients for patients with chronic conditions.
Body Sense
BODYSENSE is a training program aimed at preparing you for a lifetime of weight management, free of continual dieting. Your own BODYSENSE comes from understanding and meeting your needs for food, activity, relaxation and peace of mind. Unlike dieting, BODYSENSE focuses on you as a whole person. And unlike dieting, it is aimed at making you feel better rather than deprived.
Guided practice of appropriate life skills - regular mindful eating, regular exercise and conscious relaxation - is what BODYSENSE is all about.
Nutrition Sessions
Skinny on Fats and Cholesterol
Find hidden sources of fats and salt in foods and how to choose healthy alternatives.
Skinny on Sodium
Find the hidden sodium in foods and how to have a heart friendly diet.
Carbs and Calories
Learn to limit carbohydrates at meals and snacks, and how to lower your glycemic index.
Label Reading
Discover the three types of information on food labels. Bring your questions and any labels you find confusing to this class. Magnifying glasses are provided. Learn to limit carbohydrates at meals and how to lower your glycemic index.
Craving Change
A six week program that is a "How-to guide for Changing Your Relationship with Food." Understand WHY we eat the way we do. Learn about the many roles that food plays in our lives. Learn practical strategies to deal with cravings and change our thinking about eating and eating behaviour. Group discussion is a significant component of this group. There is homework to do each week. Workbook is supplied. 6 weeks - 2 hours each week.
Dietician and Nurses lead classes relating to nutrition lab work.
Nanaimo Family Life
Free and confidential access to individual, couple and family counselling (approximately six sessions) with a registered Clinical Counsellor to support clients in overcoming barriers to personal health goal achievement. Social Worker referral needed to access the program.
Smoking Cessation
The CISIC treatment program includeds 7 weekly counselling sessions. In week 1, a medical history is taken to identify the reasons why you smoke and why you want to quit. In weeks 2 and 3, you will learn more about the chemical and psychological aspects of nicotine addiction. You will identify your triggers and learn new and healthier alternatives. In week 4 you will be ready to break free from nicotine addiction for good.
Stress Management
Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques
This 5 week course is designed to teach you stress management techniques through education and practice. The course is divided into five 90-minute sessions. We will learn the following:
- STRESS - Overview of reaction to stress and how we can learn to cope
- PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
- VISUALIZATION
- BIOFEEDBACK
- MEDITATION
- LIVING A LIFE OF INTENTION
This class is suited to everyone who has stress in their personal and working lives, and it's all about you. The classes are "fun" and "very relaxing." We will practice all the above techniques as a group in a warm, comfortable and safe setting.