Did you know that March is Dietitians Month in Canada? Dietitians can give you personalized nutrition advice to help you #FindYourHealthy!
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A dietitian can help you to make the best food choices and take care of your health. They will give you support, knowledge, skills and advice. You don’t have to have a health issue to work with a dietitian, here are 5 reasons on why you should see a dietitian.  Many dietitians offer services virtually and most employee benefit plans cover dietitian services. You should check  your plan today but first here are some tips from our staff which you can read below and implement into your daily lives.  

Prior to implementing dieting changes, there are a few questions you need to be mindful of your eating habits and creating a healthy eating environment.

Create a healthy eating environment
Your eating environment changes depending on where you live, learn, work and play. Regardless of where you are, try to make changes to your surroundings so that the healthy choice is the easy choice.
 
Use your senses
Being mindful of the foods you eat encourages you to pay attention to the aromas, textures, flavors and taste of food. Pay attention to your likes and dislikes using these senses.
 
Consider your eating habits
Think about the last meal or snack that you had. Can you describe:

• How you ate?
  • Did you eat slowly? Were you distracted? Did you eat with others?
• Why you ate?
  • Were you hungry? Was it offered to you?
• What you ate?
  • What did you have to eat and drink?
• When you ate?
  • What time was it? How long had it been since the last time you ate?
• Where you ate?
  • Were you in a space meant for eating?
• How much you ate?
  • How much food and drink did you have?

 
Being able to recall and describe answers to these questions means you were likely being mindful of your eating habits. However, in life different events can occur unexpectedly, and stress will arise. If your eating habits change when you feel stressed, you are not alone! Everybody reacts differently to stress, but there are healthy habits you can develop to help cope.

•         Enjoy movement. Get outside for a walk, stretch or do some yoga, play an active game with your family.
•         Get enough sleep. It’s recommended to get 7-8 hours a night. Start to develop a calming bedtime routine and limit screen time an hour before bed.
•         Engage in activities you enjoy. Call a friend or family member, cook or bake, spend time with your kids, listen to your favourite music.
•         Reach for brain nourishing foods. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats such as nuts and seeds, avocado, and fish all support brain health to cope better with stress.

To help implement this while also fueling your body, you can start by eating healthy snacks throughout the day to help maintain stable blood sugar levels and lead to more consistent energy throughout the day. Snacks can also curb your appetite and prevent overeating at meals.
 
Here are 8 great ideas!
 
1.   Carrots and peppers with hummus
2.   Almonds butter on banana slices
3.   Greek yogurt topped with berries
4.   Whole grain toast with peanut butter
5.   Cheddar cheese and apple slices
6.   Small handful of trail mix made with nuts, seeds and raisins
7.   Whole grain toast with avocado and sesame seeds
8.   Whole grain cereals with milk 

Of course you still need to have your main meals, which starts with breakfast. However, do  you struggle to make time for breakfast? Preparing it the night before can help save time the next morning and start your day off great! For example, a great way to enjoy this is having overnight oats: ½ cup oats mixed with ½ cup milk topped with your favourite fruit, nuts and cinnamon! Allow to sit in the fridge overnight for the oats to soak up and “cook” in the liquid.
Another great breakfast idea is a Pear Raspberry Yogurt Muesli. ​

Something else you probably heard about when it comes to dieting and nutrition is your sodium intake and cholesterol level. Fortunately for you, we have some tips to help you! 

That's just some of our tips from our SCHC staff but if you need to make an appointment to speak with one of our dietitians you can definitely contact us by calling 416-642-9445! 

Can you tell me how you first got involved in with SCHC?
Swetha: We first got involved with SCHC a few years ago when we were doing a tour of an interactive (Forum Theatre) production called OLD AGE AIN’T FOR SISSIES. SCHC hosted the presentation which addressed the many challenges faced by seniors and the realities of aging in a fast paced, culturally diverse city. We were amazed to see the energy, the sense of initiative and curiosity that the audience brought to the dialogue that ensued. We have been friends with SCHC ever since!
 
Can you tell me how this program project started, and why you wanted to collaborate with SCHC?
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Swetha: This project was started in response to the ongoing pandemic and how it has been impacting the senior community. It was also initiated in order to address an increased sense of isolation and loneliness among seniors, risk factors for the development of depression and cognitive impairment.
Mixed Company Theatre’s community projects use fun, interactive, and relaxed theatre games, exercises, and performance to help communities address challenges they may be experiencing in their everyday lives. In 2020, we developed an interactive digital model for our community-engaged theatre programming and we discovered that community participants found that it was helping them to develop personal connections with others, and share stories about their unique experiences and challenges during the pandemic. So we connected with SCHC and other partners working with seniors to determine if a virtual theatre-based project addressing mental health among seniors in the context of the pandemic would be of value to the community. We were so glad to hear that seniors at SCHC were interested in stepping forward to talk about these complex topics and stories. Thanks to funding from the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility through their Senior Community Grant program, we were able to realize this project, and were welcomed into your community once again.
 
How was your overall experience with this program, was there any challenges for getting others on board? Was there any stand out memories from either team members or program participants?
 
Luciano: We're about two-thirds of the way through - having just gathered and created a great deal of material which we will turn into a first draft of our script for the next workshop session. Though we started with a smaller group than hoped for, the core group of five members have been so imaginative, committed to the project, and supportive of the issue from the start.  I am impressed by the way they all wish to share and contribute to improving their community through the use of Forum Theatre.
 
I will always remember how excited they became when they realized how well they can write a poem or verse when 'forced' into a five-minute time frame!  I think they never fully believed or appreciated what good artists they are or could be. This project is allowing them to see themselves in a new light.
 
What do you want people to know about this program?
Swetha: We want people to know that this project celebrates seniors’ voices. And therefore, the final theatre presentation will be performed for the public on March 25th and March 31st from 10 am to 11:30 am!
 
The senior participants are presenting an interactive, Forum Theatre play they created about the increased anxiety, frustration, and depression that seniors have been experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Details: March 25 & 31, 2021 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM (ET)
Online via Zoom | Tickets are Free
 
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/covid-concerns-registration-145558404105
 
We hope you can join us in the audience! In the first half of this play, you will see how the senior characters in the story become overwhelmed by technology, fears of contracting COVID-19, and finding the support they need.
 
Then, the story will be presented again - only this second time, you will have the opportunity to intervene in the action! You will be invited to step on to the virtual stage (Zoom!) to try out strategies for positive change, thereby catalyzing discussion, dialogue and action!
 
The performance is being created by, for, and about the seniors – and we welcome all seniors and staff who are curious about conversations around mental wellbeing to attend!
 
What do you wish other people knew about SCHC?
Swetha: We have had such a wonderful time working with SCHC and we want people to know the immense commitment, dedication, and professionalism that SCHC staff and community offer to support the projects they take on.
 
Was there anything you would like to add?
Swetha: If you would like to read more about the interactive style of theatre called Forum Theatre we use, go to https://mixedcompanytheatre.com/forum-theatre/. And we hope to see you at the final event later this March!

March marks the beginning of Social Work Month in Ontario, and it also happens to coincide with the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

How Can Social Workers Support Clients Experiencing COVID-19 Isolation?
Many of us are feeling more isolated from others, and may experience changes in our mood, feelings of anxiety, and worsening mental health overall. These experiences have been reflected in a recent study by the Canadian Mental Health Association. Research has shown that reaching out to others during periods of isolation can boost your mood, whether it be talking to a mental health professional or a friend. Luckily, there are lots of ways that social workers can provide support during this time.

Social workers providing clinical therapy can support clients through feelings of isolation, grief and bereavement, anxiety, and more. They do so by listening and providing emotional support, through education and teaching their clients skills to manage their feelings, and by exploring healthier ways to cope. Social workers have knowledge on relevant community supports, and can help to connect clients to these services. Some examples may include: Food, housing, transportation, personal and medical care, and financial assistance, to name a few.

Most services have gone virtual in the past year and many groups have continued through the use of Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other web-based video platforms. Social workers can lead different kinds of groups, including therapy skills, emotional or grief support, educational, and mindfulness meditation. These virtual groups allow us to remain connected to others while staying safe at home.

What was your life like before you came to SCHC?
I was a single parent, raising a daughter on my own and I lived in Hamilton. Previously I had worked as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) but then I injured my back so that was no longer an option. I had been a stay at home mom for 10 years and I decided to move back to Scarborough. I had family and friends here. While it was stressful at times before the move, I was doing fine but I wanted a support network of people who I knew cared for me. When I moved back, I had no skills and had been out of the job market for 10 years. My lack of employment was the biggest challenge I faced at that time.

How did you first hear about SCHC?
I had been taking employment classes RNC Employment Services. I had been referred to them by my Ontario Works case worker. Just as the classes were finishing, I knew it was time to start looking for employment. Staff at RNC recommended looking for volunteer opportunities. If it was not for them, I would have never found SCHC.
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They helped me reach out and I connected with Lori, the Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement. I began to volunteer as Administration Support at the Diabetes Clinic early in 2020. Shortly after, the pandemic hit and all SCHC volunteers were told to stay home, to stay safe. Lori reached out to me in July, asking if I could come into head office to provide some administrative assistance in the finance department. While I was helping in that position, another staff member suggested I look into the Client Intake Assistant position that was being advertised. I applied for it, and a week after I sent in my resume, I was granted an interview. Two days after my interview, I was told the job was mine! I had been told I was one of five people they interviewed. I was beyond excited and words cannot express how happy I was.

Now that you’ve been working at SCHC, how do you feel about your future?
 
I feel great! I’m optimistic about my future for sure and I have skills I didn’t have before. It’s a contract position and I hope it gets extended. If it doesn’t, I still feel optimistic that I can get another job with the experience I now possess. The difference between a year ago and now is so big. I just feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I have new abilities, a new network of people and looking at my life from a year ago, my life feels so much better. I have HOPE.
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Last March, I felt so uneasy about being sent home. Even then though, I just had a feeling that something good could come out of this. At the time, my friends said to me “What are you saying!?” I just had to believe in myself and hang onto that feeling. Now look at me, I came back to volunteer and a few month later, I ended up with a wonderful position that I am getting paid for. 

How has this experience changed you?
This experience changed me for the better. Everything that has happened has made me a happier and more confident person and those are really good changes. I don’t know what else to say except that it’s better.

What inspires you in your life?
My daughter inspires me in my life for sure. She goes to Ryerson University and she is studying Community & Health Studies and is majoring in Child and Youth Care. She has aspirations to become a Social Worker, focusing on children and youth. She is so excited, happy and supportive of me in this new role.

Any advice would you give to your former self?
I wish I had taken the chances that I am taking now earlier in my life. I wish I had joined the program employment centres, listened to my case worker more and used her and her resources more to my advantage.  My advice to my former self and anyone else, would be to go out there and look for what you want. If you don’t have the skills you need right now, find out how to get them and go get them. Believe in yourself and have the confidence to go get it. 

If you would like to learn more about volunteering at SCHC, please visit our Volunteers page here. 

If you would like to learn more about the Diabetes program please visit here, if you would like to see their past webinars visit here. 

Below is an interview between Madiha and one of our clients from our Diabetes education program. Read from her point of view the impact SCHC's diabetes education has had on her, and how she won't let type 2 diabetes bring down her positive spirits! 

I have been with Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities since 2014, engaging in every workshop and gathering that I heard about. In August 2014, my results detected that I have Type 2 diabetes— displaying borderline health conditions for me at that point. My family physician sent me to Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) to consult with Mariella Fortugno, my dietitian/social worker, to guide me through a routine to achieve my blood sugar and blood pressure targets. Mariella was the main root of teaching me everything about diabetes, and the lifestyle changes, the portioning, and all that came along with it since the beginning of my time with her. My experience at the Markham and Lawrence location and Mariella’s engaging programs and workshops where she gathered people as we learned about vitamins were very informative. At the hub location (Brimley and Eglinton), I was under the care of my nurse, Sharmini, and dietitian, Arshad, who is very accommodating to me with their assistance.

​When it comes to my dietary restrictions, I am very conversant with my new lifestyle. As a diabetes patient, I understand what to consume and how to consume it. It was a significant change from my previous diet. My current diet consists of lots of vegetables, and I made sure to have protein in every meal; consuming very less amount of carbs (rice, potatoes, chickpeas) and meat (pork and beef, due to religious dietary restrictions). Consumption of more protein was essential for me as it helped with slow digestion and post-meal blood sugar spikes, increasing the feeling of fullness, keeping blood sugar level intact.

​To discuss the strictness of my diet, I consume my fruits numerically to balance the serving, which includes 11 grapes and 11 cherries in a day, and limited consumption of rich fruits such as bananas (only half of a banana a day) and no mangoes.

Attending the workshops with Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) has helped me understand even the type of oil that I should buy for consumption and how to monitor my blood sugar level every two hours. My overall experience with Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) has been very informative and beneficial for myself and my health. It was hard work to change my diet and lifestyle but it was worth it!

In the past three decades the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has risen dramatically in countries of all income levels. About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, the majority living in low-and middle-income countries, and 1.6 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year. Both the number of cases and the prevalence of diabetes have been steadily increasing over the past few decades.” (World Health Organization, 2020 Diabetes Report)  Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is dedicated to meeting the diverse, holistic health needs of the communities of Scarborough by addressing the physical, mental, social, financial and environmental aspects of their health.

​In January 2014, The Scarborough Hospital partnered up with Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC). The key stakeholders stated that since partnering with SCHC, The Scarborough Hospital has seen “more greater efficiency in having the right care provided at the right place in a timely manner.” The beneficial aspect of this collaboration has given opportunities to patients with diabetes who come to The Scarborough Hospital and are assessed and then either admitted to the hospital based diabetes program or referred to the SCHC’s Community Diabetes Education Program, depending on their care needs. When patients with diabetes are referred to SCHC, an initial needs assessment is performed by a nurse and a social worker who provides care and connects them with community resources, some of which can be offered on site.

In August 2014, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities' (SCHC) Diabetes Education Program was granted recognition by the Canadian Diabetes Association's Standards Recognition Review Committee for successfully meeting the Standards for Diabetes Education in Canada (2015), which allowed the community health centre to continue assisting and treating individuals with Type 1 and Type 1 Diabetes and offered numerous workshops to educate patients who are keen to learn more in a community-based setting.

To learn more about the Diabetes program please visit here and to watch some of their webinars please visit here. 
 
​Sources:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes 
http://www.centraleastlhin.on.ca/newsandevents/TellaStory_f/CollaborationenhancingdiabetescareinCentralEastLHIN.aspx 
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/scarborough-centre-for-healthy-communities-diabetes-education-program-receives-formal-recognition-591172811.html

We had the opportunity to sit down with Jane Rumleskie, a volunteer board member of SCHC and we discuss her journey into SCHC and how this experience has helped her learn more about the community she resides in. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hello all, my name is Jane Rumleskie and I am in my third year as a Board member with SCHC. I reside in Scarborough with my husband and my pets. I have been a public servant, working with the provincial government for the past 19 years in the field of criminal justice. Though I am working corporately now, most of my career was spent as a Probation and Parole Officer in Toronto. I also volunteer with a local bulldog rescue organization coordinating their social media accounts and as a foster. Though I love city living, I am originally from a very small town in Northern Ontario with a population of 1200 people! I think growing up in a small town has made me appreciate the importance of community which likely drew me to volunteering at SCHC!

What brought you to SCHC? Why did you decide to volunteer?
I had been living in Scarborough for several years after a move from downtown Toronto and wanted to make more connections to my local community. I saw an ad in a local newspaper looking for new SCHC Board members and decided to apply. Early in my career I was employed as a housing worker at another CHC which had opened my eyes to the amazing work that happens at community health centres.

Tell us 2 or 3 things that work really well in your volunteer experience at SCHC?
Joining a Board after not having done so for many years was certainly going to be a learning experience for me. I really appreciated the excellent care taken by the Centre in recruitment, including extensive reference checks, to ensure appropriate candidates are chosen. This told me immediately that SCHC is committed to connecting the right people to the right roles within their organization. Also, the orientation process was very thorough and made me feel very valued in my new volunteer role.

I met Kerrin Churchill two years ago at an art workshop at Agincourt Library. Since then, a friendship and collaboration has formed between us. Kerrin had an idea to create a project in which seniors in the Scarborough community can come together to explore cultural spaces and to express their creativity through visits in artistic activities led by a professional artist.

Kerrin and her friend Susan MacDonald  (both volunteers on this project), along with Navia Harry of the Active Living Centre at Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. 

A successful grant application was made to the New Horizons program and the first event of Creative Space was held on September 16. It was a beautiful sunny day, at the dreamy Guild Park and Gardens, a park known for its beautiful historical sculptures scattered all around the park. 

 John Mason of Friends of the Guild provided a tour for a group of 12 seniors so they can learn more about the history and stories about the park and pieces within.

Artist Tara Dorey facilitated a drawing workshop for participants. Everyone gathered around the outdoor amphitheatre in the park where Tara talked about drawing, lines, and contour drawing. Everyone got tote bags prior the workshop with all the needed supplies for the session.

Each person then proceeded to explore the park and choose a sculpture to practice their contour drawing. After an hour and half and a few attempts, participants gathered once more at the amphitheatre to share their sketches and their experience of it with the group and received feedback from the artist. 

Everyone was inspired and energized by the event and were keen to participate in future events by Creative Space. A few people in the park inquired if they could register as well. Despite the current challenges that we are facing, with following the health guidelines, organizers are determined to continue to bring joy, creativity and connectivity to the life of seniors in Scarborough through these unique visits and artist led workshops.

The next meeting for this group will be held on October 14th, 2020 at Scarborough Arts. There is currently a waiting list, but please contact srayati@schcontario.ca if you are interested.

Written by Tagan Mani, Marketing and Communications Assistant

The month of September marks Alzheimer's Awareness Month and that’s why, if you have been following us on social media, you would have noticed we have been posting about Alzheimer's awareness to help reach more people about the cause and why brain health is so important.
 
Truth is, Alzheimer's can or does impact us all. Alzheimer's Society Canada stated that 1.1 million Canadians are affected directly or indirectly by the disease. If that stat is not alarming enough, Alzheimer's Association reports that there will be a projected amount of 13.8 million people age 65 and older to have Alzheimer's dementia by 2050. To learn more about Alzheimer's signs, stages and tips for caregivers, read our previous blog post here.
 
Dementia does not discriminate based on the colour of your skin, your profession, or any other factor beyond your control. That is why, when loved ones with dementia are receiving care, it is imperative that the activities you do are truly meaningful to them, since the more personalized it is, the more beneficial it will be.
 
If you are uncertain on what meaningful activities/engagement are, the Alzheimer's Society of Canada defines it as a person-centred approach which encourages and invites people with
dementia to purposefully participate in the work of an organization to which they belong. When participating, the activities should involve them contributing ideas, skills, and abilities while being mindful that their participation would vary, depending on what their current abilities are along with the personal history they have. This is important because Alzheimer's has a critical impact on one's behaviour, memory, and senses. Which is why, at times, activities that people living with dementia used to enjoy they can now find overwhelming. It is also important to ensure that the staff who provides care are also knowledgeable, attentive, and encouraging.

Alzheimers.net notes that meaningful and stimulating activities can encourage self-expression, lessen anxiety and irritability, assist with emotional connections and memories while making your loved one feel more engaged. Stimulating activities can include baking, arts and crafts, puzzles, playing music and gardening. In later stages, simple and familiar activities like folding laundry, caring for a baby doll by dressing and changing diapers, or even washing dishes can give individuals with dementia a sense of purpose and belonging.
 
At SCHC, we offer different programs that provide help to those impacted with dementia or may be experiencing some early signs. Our two programs that focuses on this are the Adult Day Centre and the Active Minds Social Club (in partnership with Alzheimer Society of Toronto), respectively. In our Adult Day Centre, we serve individuals, over the age of 65 who have been diagnosed with dementia, with full days of meaningful activities such as music and art therapy and chair yoga, plus events to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Our Active Minds Social Club also provides stimulating activities but caters to those who have been diagnosed before the age of 65, living with young onset dementia. Both programs also give respite for their caregivers.  See our website for more details on these programs.
 
The statistics and impact Alzheimer's has can be scary, but that is why it is crucial that we and our loved ones should become more educated about Alzheimer's and what preventative actions we can take. See our recent Instagram post below for highlights from a recent study that states 12 things that one can do to lower the risk of dementia. To learn more about Alzheimer's prevention read a prior blog post written by Joanne, our Community Caregiver Wellness Coordinator, and a former educator for Alzheimer's Society of Toronto.

 
We hope that reading this post helped you become more informed about Alzheimer's, what you can do to help prevent it, and what SCHC does for our community who have been impacted by it. Despite not having a cure yet for Alzheimer's, there are many options we can take to help the united fight against Alzheimer's.
 
To learn more about our programs related to Alzheimer's please feel free to contact us via Email: cssintake@schcontario.ca or Phone: (416)-847-4134
 
Sources
 
https://beta-ctvnews-ca.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/beta.ctvnews.ca/national/health/2020/8/1/1_5048612.html
 
https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-03-06-stimulating-activities-for-alzheimers-patients
 
https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/files/national/meaningful-engagement/meaningful-engagement-of-people-with-dementia.pdf
 
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures#:~:text=More%20than%205%20million%20Americans%20of%20all%20ages%20have%20Alzheimer's,10%25)%20has%20Alzheimer's%20dementia. 
 
https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-dementia/What-is-dementia/Dementia-numbers?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIutWKgcvr6wIVu_DjBx2bbAIrEAAYASAAEgJH_vD_BwE
 
https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-dementia/Alzheimers-disease?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4MyWgNLr6wIVBJJbCh2I8gZgEAAYAiAAEgIjc_D_BwE

Today, September 10th, marks World Suicide Prevention day. Above is only a few of the statistics pulled from a very resourceful infographic created by Public Health Agency of Canada which you can view here.

Suicide Prevention is crucial to discuss and effects so many people. We need to become more informed, educated, and empathetic. If you or anyone you know may be experiencing suicial thoughts, we do have staff catering to mental health. If you want to learn more about Suicide Prevention feel free to read our blog post from last year about it here. 

​Maureen Pollard, a social worker, collaborated with Murray Foster and Ellen Torrie to create a song entitled "I Hope You Stay"  in the hopes it will be shared widely to raise awareness about suicide prevention and for the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention. You can listen to the song below. 

If you are interested in learning more about our mental health services please feel free to contact us at info@schcontario.ca or call us at 416-642-9445 for more information.