Taking care of ourselves

CYNTHIA RAMSAY

There is nothing that beats one-on-one, personal attention from a trained professional and, arguably, such specialized care is most essential in matters of health. All of the health providers supporting the Jewish Independent in this Health & Fitness issue – as well as those who advertise regularly in the newspaper – embrace this philosophy.

Pam Atnikov, a member of Or Shalom Synagogue, has been practising counseling and psychotherapy since 1994. She explained to the Independent that “counseling can provide clients with the insight, clarity and encouragement to move forward in very positive ways.”

She said, “Many people seek counseling during the course of a lifetime. I can help when: you feel that your life is not all you’d hoped it to be, you keep running into obstacles, a painful past is getting in the way, relationships with others are troubled, you are in crisis or are experiencing unexpected change, you need to talk.”

Atnikov has specialized training in complex trauma treatment, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, conflict resolution and anger management, journal and artwork, and solution-focused therapy. Her website is pamatnikov.com and she can be reached for a free and confidential telephone consultation at 604-873-8743.

“At Body & Soul, we believe that physical fitness is the mainstay of a healthy lifestyle and that personal training – and the guidance, education and motivation that it provides – is the most efficient and effective way to improve physical fitness,” Angela Longstaffe, chief executive officer and co-owner of Body & Soul (bodysoul.ca, 604-224-2639) told the Independent. “We have been one of Vancouver’s leading providers of personal fitness since 1995, providing one-on-one personal training to clients of different ages, with differing health concerns and with very different fitness levels – everyone is welcome at our eco-friendly studio! We also offer additional health-related services – chiropractic, nutrition counseling and registered massage therapy – to assist our clients in achieving their optimal health.”

Not only does Body & Soul focus on each individual who comes through its doors, it supports many local athletes and charitable organizations, its list including Face the World Foundation and Hillel Vancouver. Bodysoul.ca is currently promoting the second annual walk-a-thon for Special Olympics B.C., which takes place on Saturday, June 11.

Personal attention is also key when choosing a home-care professional.

“Drake Medox Private Care Division consists of dedicated health-care professionals that specialize in providing home health care tailored to your needs,” explained client service manager Sherry Ghuman. “We cover the whole range of patient care, from assisted living situations to palliative clients. We can help with a wide range of services including companionship, respite, housekeeping, bathing, personal care and meal preparation. We can provide around-the-clock care or visits as brief as a one-hour house call – all depending on your needs! Ensuring the right match of client and caregiver is paramount in our commitment, as we believe mutual respect is the foundation of great care.” On its website, Drake Medox (drakemedoxprivatecare.com, 604-682-2801) underscores the importance of providing “safe and healthy work environments for all employees and clients,” as well as “exemplary service to our staff and clients at all times.”

The mission of Kerrisdale Pharmacy (kerrisdalepharmacy.com, 604-261-0333) is “to be the leading community pharmacy providing professional prescription services alongside traditional and non-traditional health-care products and services. We endeavor to inspire wellness and vitality through customized care and health solutions.”

The pharmacy carries a wide selection of products, from acetaminophen to walkers and adrenal supplements to zinc, and its technicians can prepare custom medication compounds for adults and children in a variety of flavors and dosage forms, whether for pain management, dermatological issues or hormone replacement therapy. It also supports the community at large and endeavors to be environmentally friendly.

Established in 1926, Macdonald’s Prescriptions and Medical Supplies (macdonaldsrx.com, 604-872-2662) is one of the longest-serving pharmacies in the Greater Vancouver area. It also caters to specific health needs, such as lymphedema and diabetes.

“We are an established community pharmacy that has never lost sight of the original pharmaceutical practices – private consultations, compounding and, most importantly, the formation of relationships with our customers in order to meet their unique health-care needs,” states its website, which has an extensive home health-care catalogue (electric beds, walkers, reclining bath lifts, etc.). There is also a library, containing articles on a range of topics, including choosing a breast pump, depression, asthma management and calcium.

Shylo Nursing and Home Healthcare (shylonursing.ca, 604-985-6881) has been recognized as a leader in home health-care and nursing services since it was founded in 1980.

“We are a well-established and reputable home health-care agency; our caregiver and nursing services are available to private clients in the community, as well as clients in acute care hospitals, assisted living and complex care facilities. If you are looking for a caregiver in Vancouver, we are your company; we can bring our care services to you, whether you require home care in the community or you want us to bring our care to your nursing home,” Margot Ware, director/owner of Shylo Nursing and Home Healthcare, told the Independent.

According to the company’s website, Ware was impressed by the care given by Shylo to her terminally ill mother and, later, her aged grandfather, and started working towards her registered nursing degree – she also has a bachelor of science in nursing – while working as a home health-care aide at Shylo. When the owners were ready to retire, Ware “took over the company that she’d grown to love.”

Shylo’s goal continues to be “to match the ideal caregiver to ... individual client needs.” On the website, visitors can find out more about arranging a free initial assessment.

We Care (wecare.ca, 604-264-9003) has some 50 locations employing 3,000 home-care staff and providing care to more than 15,000 clients in 800 communities across Canada. “At We Care, we carefully match clients with caregivers who will best meet their needs – from a service perspective and in terms of good personality matches,” states the website.

Being both locally based and nationally networked allows We Care to understand the nature of the community – “Our own families are growing up here and, in many instances, our parents and grandparents have helped shape the community’s history” – as well as “share successful practices, provide exclusive services and [be] there when you need us.” The website has much useful information, including on how to determine when it is time to consider home care for someone you love and access to a free guide, Get Going to Keep Going, “designed to help you or your loved one live active, healthy lives.”

Of course, one part of living healthily is to eat well and, according to various reviews, Weigh to Go Bulk Foods (604-266-6206) on 41st makes it easy – and affordable – to grocery shop. One review at FoodPages.ca noted, “Absolutely great place. They have everything you could possibly want in bulk and a friendly knowledgeable staff.” And the Georgia Straight has ranked it the “best place to bulk up.”

Established in 1956, the nonprofit Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (widhh.ca, 604-736-7391) provides “programs and services in audiology, employment counseling, Sign Language interpreting and communication devices for the deaf and hard of hearing community.”

According to the institute, hearing loss “is the fastest-growing disability in North America and it currently affects over 10 percent of the population, with that number rising to over 30 percent of those over 65 and to over 50 percent of those over 75.” If you suspect hearing loss, the institute recommends that you get tested by an audiologist: “Left untreated, hearing loss can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression.... The negative effects of untreated hearing loss far outweigh the stigma of wearing a hearing aid.”

Hearing aids typically cost between $1,000 and $4,000 per hearing aid, and are not covered by the B.C. Medical Services Plan. However, WIDHH has “a new hearing aid dispensing program that offers the latest in digital technology and a unique Lend an Ear hearing aid loan program. For a small fee, Lend an Ear provides refurbished hearing aids to those who cannot afford a new one.”

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