 Horizon’s Albert County Community Health Centre wishes to introduce and welcome Amy O’Keefe, SW, as the new Community Developer for Albert County, Petitcodiac and Salisbury areas.
Amy graduated from St. Thomas University’s School of Social Work in 2009, after which she spent time working in Newfoundland with the province’s Child, Youth & Family Services, followed by a short stint with Social Development in Moncton. After that, she worked in the non-profit sector for several years with a focus on supporting people with disabilities. She has developed a passion for inclusion and accessibility from this work. When she’s not advocating, she can be found enjoying local music, or spending time by the ocean with her dog, Biscuit! Amy will be working from the Albert County Community Health Centre on Thursdays. She is looking forward to getting to know our communities and encourages you to pop in to say hello or contact her to arrange a meeting (506-229-2244 or Amy.O'Keefe@HorizonNB.ca). For the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic and answers to common questions, visit www.gnb.ca/coronavirus. You can register for a test online by clicking “Get Tested” on the webpage above or by calling Tele-Care (just dial 811).
COVID-19 tests are performed at the Albert County Community Health Centre, but the initial contact must be made through either the GNB webpage or 811. If you use the website, select Riverside-Albert as your location if you want the test to be done at the Albert County Community Health Centre. Your request will then be forwarded to the location of your choice. Staff will phone and schedule an appointment. You will receive a code to register for MyHealthNB, where you can access your test results online. This is the fastest way to access your COVID-19 test results. For more information, visit the MyHealthNB website at myhealth.gnb.ca or call for tech support at 1-844-462-8387. If you require assistance, please call the Albert County Community Health Centre at 882-3100. Contributed by the Albert County Community Health Centre. By Jennifer Shelby
If you, or a young person you care about, is struggling with drug addiction, the free Drug Intervention Program (DIP) can help. Specifically tailored for youth aged 15-24, DIP is an outreach program from Youth Impact Jeunesse, which recently extended into Albert County with funding from the Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation. Program Manager Jonathan Thibodeau explains that “there is a rise in addiction in most regions of the province and some of this seems to be correlated to the pandemic.” Some clients contact DIP on their own, while others are referred to the program. “We offer help with alcohol, marijuana, and, of course, all the harder substances.” DIP can be reached by calling 506-856-2633 or by visiting youthimpact.org. For young adults struggling with drug addiction, it may be hard to know where to go or who to ask for help. Fortunately, there is an option that is free and convenient: Youth Impact offers one-on-one addiction counselling. With the support of the Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation, the program has expanded into rural Albert County.
The Drug Intervention Program is available for anyone from 15-24 years of age. There is no cost for the program and no waiting list. It is completely confidential and voluntary. It’s up to the person with the addiction to sign up. If you know of someone who might benefit from this program or want to join yourself, call Program Manager Jonathan Thibodeau at 506-856-2633 or see youthimpact.org. The vision of the Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation is “to have a positive impact on health and wellness for the people served by the Albert County Health and Wellness Centre with the support of our community.” You can learn more and donate at www.bachfoundation.com. By Kimberly McKinley
My last article for Connecting Albert County was written in May of 2018. At that time, I thanked our volunteers for their continued support and dedication to our residents here at Forest Dale Home (FDH). My article contained much praise and appreciation for their contributions -- many programs are only possible with the help of our volunteers.  By Shannon Gaythorpe
Byron Cook has always had an interest in people and music. In 2018, Byron moved from Moncton back to his hometown of Hillsborough and joined the residents of Fundy Royal Manor, a special care home for seniors. Once settled, he realized there were not many afternoon activities for the residents so he set about sharing his collection of DVDs and music with his new neighbours.  Attention Albert County!
Vaccination clinics will be happening locally this Friday April 16th for the populations below and there are still spots available! To book, visit www.gnb.ca/bookavaccine or call 1-833-437-1424 The NB Cancer Network (NBCN) wants to increase participation among NB underscreened population in its cancer screening programs; particularly the Colon (Bowel) Cancer Screening Program. Your area is one of the regions participating the least in the Colon Cancer Screening Program. Colon cancer is the 2nd cause of cancer death in the province! From January 2015 until November 2020, the Program has found 370 early colon cancers in people who had no signs or symptoms – that is more than one early cancer found per week. Screening does save lives! The Colon Cancer Screening Program is using a simple, at-home test mailed directly to all eligible population in NB. In the coming weeks, in collaboration with your local Community Health Center, a survey will be distributed to better understand why people are not getting tested and what can be done to improve participation. This survey should take about 5 minutes of your time. Participation in this survey is completely voluntary, and all information provided will remain anonymous and confidential. No identifying information will be used in any report or publication resulting from this survey. For more information, please contact your local Community Health Center. Phone 882-3100 and ask for Beverly.  Appointments are required for all visits to Horizon’s Albert County Community Health Centre (ACCHC) and Hillsborough Satellite Office (HSO). Call 506-882-3100 for all appointments.
All visitors and support persons must monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms before each visit. Stay at home if you feel unwell. Active screening of visitors and support persons will take place before entering the facility. A screener will greet patients and ask a series of questions related to COVID-19, including questions about COVID-19 symptoms and recent travel. Forest Dale Home held a COVID vaccination clinic on March 9, 2021 for residents, staff and volunteers. In total, 103 vaccine doses were administered with 50 residents vaccinated and the remaining 53 doses provided to staff, volunteers and community members. Forest Dale Home staff would like to thank everyone who helped them organize and host this clinic. Forest Dale Home staff state they are “grateful that we could provide this service to the communities we serve.”  Several masked and vaccinated Forest Dale staff Two new online guides offer older adults and caregivers information and tips to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Older Adults’ Wellness During COVID-19: A Guide and Caregiving to Older Adults During COVID-19: A Guide have all the essential information in one place. www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2021.03.0158.html
The guides contain information on various topics that relate to daily life during the pandemic, including vaccines, nutrition, and financial assistance. They present information on ways to stay active, positive, and connected. Excerpt from NB Social Dev't News Release, Mar. 3, '21.  Michael Hewey
Great news! The COVID-19 vaccines are finally here in New Brunswick! But can you get it? And if you can, which ones are available? There are currently four COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada. The first two are the Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna vaccines, which are available to those above the age of 16 (Pfizer) or 18 (Moderna). Both these vaccines use a messenger RNA platform. What does that mean? Well, basically the RNA vaccine is a blueprint copy with instructions of how to build the COVID-19 antibodies to prevent infection. The good news is that since these are not live vaccines, they come with additional benefits and can be administered to immunocompromised people. Remember to complete both doses with the same vaccine to optimize protection. By Alicia O’Hara
“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.” I read that recently, and it is fitting for this past year as we all adjusted to a new world of unknowns, Public Health measures, and varying levels of isolation. The steps necessary to protect our physical wellness have had an impact on our mental health. Over the last year, you may have found yourself feeling more irritable, anxious, lonely or depressed. You aren’t alone. I think it would be hard to find someone whose mental wellness hasn’t been affected by the pandemic. It's been a difficult season in life, a long "winter" if you will, but as the quote says, “Spring is sure to follow.”  By Michael Hewey
Great news! The COVID-19 vaccines are finally here in New Brunswick! But can you get it? And if you can, which ones are available? There are currently four COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada. The first two are the Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna vaccines, which are available to those above the age of 16 (Pfizer) or 18 (Moderna). Both these vaccines use a messenger RNA platform. What does that mean?  The Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick is offering both online webinars and in-person group programs. Here are a few of the choices, continue reading for this Springs list.
 Cleats similar to the ones above are available at the Albert County Pharmacy in Riverside-Albert and Jean Coutu in Riverview. (Image: JW) By Sarah Lord
1. Buy a good pair of ice cleats that fit your outdoor boots well, something with teeth rather than pegs or coils. (See image) Try ice cleats on the boots you'll be wearing before buying. 2. Don't take short cuts: take the long way around if safer. 3. Use hiking poles. 4. Make sure your path is well illuminated with a good headlamp. 5. If descending, lower your center of gravity to the ground and, if necessary, slide on your bum. 6. Take your time. Don't be in a hurry. Want to connect with the Women of the Wilderness? We welcome women of Southeastern NB who love to hike, camp, and spend time in nature. Look up Women of the Wilderness (WOW) on Facebook, answer a few questions, and we hope to see you soon. By Ben Cummings At the Fundy Biosphere Reserve, we encourage people to get active! Plenty of trails and activities are still open and we've issued a challenge to our followers that we'd love to extend to Connecting Albert County: the "Fundy Biosphere Reserve Winter Activities Checklist" (or Winter Challenge!). See our list of 24 activities that almost anyone can do! Some may be more challenging than others (watch our Polar dip video if you want a good laugh!). Everyone has a chance to participate and we're excited to see people sharing their experiences of getting out and getting active.  Discover more at www.fundy-biosphere.ca
 By Janet Wallace
For young adults struggling with drug addiction, it may be hard to know where to go or who to ask for help. Fortunately, there is an option that is free and convenient: Youth Impact offers one-on-one addiction counselling. With the support of the Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation, the program is now expanding into rural Albert County. The Drug Intervention Program is available for anyone from 15-24 years of age. There is no cost for the program and no waiting list. It is completely confidential and voluntary. It’s up to the person with the addiction to sign up. By Donna Glenen-Cruickshank, a founding member of WOW What do you get when you cross a beautiful starry night in Fundy National Park with twelve fun and creative women? You get so much more than you could have ever imagined! Women of the Wilderness (WOW!) was born out of fun, friendship, laughter, and the need for connection with nature and each other. And it was born right here in Albert County just two years ago.   Contributed by: Courtni Soucy, MScKin
The Zoomers on the Go is a falls prevention program and is designed for anyone over the age of 50 years old, who passes a "pre-screening questionnaire". This FREE exercise program will be offered twice a week for 12-weeks. It is a peer-led exercise program, which means that the exercise leader is someone of similar age as the participants. They have undergone extensive fitness training by Fitness New Brunswick.  Article and Images provided by James Wilson.
One thing that has occurred as the pandemic drags on is the transition from utilitarian surgical masks to a dizzying variety of custom masks. Masks with simple colours, geometric patterns and flowers have all become common as people settle in for the long haul.  By Brittany Butland
Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy eating pattern will help you feel good, maintain your weight and meet your nutrient needs. Here are five tips to support your health through good nutrition: By Alicia O'Hara
I like to think of social workers as jacks-of-all-trades. There are so many different places you can bump into us. We are in hospitals, correctional facilities, schools, non-profit organizations and other places, where you can find us working in mental health and addictions, advocacy, child welfare, seniors’ services, policy creation and the list goes on! My role at Horizon’s Albert County Community Health Centre is to assist with overall well-being. My goal is to help patients and clients develop a sense of safety, self-worth and mastery over their future. My focus is to empower people through building skills to achieve personal fulfilment, meaningful social roles and relationships in the community. Here are answers to frequently asked questions:  By Nadine Chiasson-Peters
Walking is the perfect exercise for good physical and mental health. Almost anyone can do it and at any skill level–from grandparents to children. It’s easy, convenient and inexpensive–all you need is a good pair of shoes. |
Wellness
Connecting Albert County would like to thank the following supporters & advertisers: Platinum supporters - Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation - Albert County Pharmacy - CR Yardworks & Equipment - Hon. Rob Moore, MP for Fundy Royal Gold supporters - CBDC Westmorland Albert - Albert County Funeral Home - Grass Roots Community Economic Development Cooperative Silver supporters - Albert County Chamber of Commerce - Crooked Creek Convenience - East Coast Kids Child Care & Learning Centre - Fireside Home Heating - Foods of the Fundy Valley - The Garden Guy (Micheal McBurnie) - Hon. Mike Holland, Minister, MLA-Albert - The Old Church Farmers' Market - Village of Hillsborough - Village of Riverside-Albert Bronze supporters - Broadleaf Ranch - Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee (CCRC) - Cape Enrage Fundy Log Cabin - Falcon Ridge Inn B&B - Friends of Fundy - Fundy Highlands Motel and Chalets - Fundy Mud Pottery - Jeff MacDougall, SouthEastern Mutual Insurance - Village of Alma If you would like to support Connecting Albert County, visit our Advertising page or Donation page. With your support, we can continue to share the news of rural Albert County. Comments We welcome comments to our blog postings. Please provide your email address and name with your comment, and respect our content guidelines.
Archives
August 2021
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed