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Programs & Services


Alberta Healthy Living Program - Calgary Zone

The Alberta Healthy Living Program (AHLP) offers health education classes, self-management workshops, nutrition counselling, and supervised exercise for adults living in the community with a chronic health condition.

The Alberta Healthy Living Program services are offered by Zoom, phone, in-person, and include:

  • general and condition-specific health education classes
  • supervised group exercise classes and health coaching
  • self-management workshops (Better Choices, Better Health®)
  • nutrition classes and counseling

Health Education:

Our Education Guide lists classes hosted by Calgary Zone. Search our Find Workshops and Classes table for classes hosted by other Zones.

 

Class topics include:

  • diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, obesity, chronic pain, COPD, celiac disease, osteoporosis, fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and weight management
  • sleep habits, meal planning, breathing techniques, and emotional wellness (stress, grief)
  • managing long-COVID symptoms

Self-Management Workshops:

Better Choices, Better Health® (BCBH®) - Chronic Pain and Chronic Disease are six-week interactive workshops to help them learn to effectively manage health condition(s) in a supportive environment. Workshops available in English, Cantonese, and Tagalog. Topics include:

  • healthy eating, safe exercise practices, medication usage, sleep hygiene, dealing with difficult emotions, action planning, decision-making, and problem-solving
  • making pain diaries, communicating about pain, and basic pain neuroscience education (Chronic Pain only), fall prevention, breathing techniques, and self-talk (Chronic Disease only)

Visit our website for more information.

Supervised Exercise Program:

The Supervised Group Exercise Program is for patients who need guidance and support to increase physical activity and exercise. Participants learn how exercise can manage their health conditions and how to start or modify an exercise program based on their symptoms and abilities. Healthcare professionals help participants develop strategies to overcome physical activity barriers and create an activity action plan to continue exercising in the community. Participants can access AHLP programs and services to help them achieve their goals. Services that may be available to your patient include:

  • group exercise classes (hosted in-person or virtually) - additional exclusion criteria apply
  • one-on-one health coaching
  • referral to appropriate health education classes and/or self-management workshops

See eligibility criteria below to see if your patient is appropriate for exercise. Medical clearance may be required for exercise participants with known history or signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or renal disease.

AHLP Nutrition Counselling

  • Offered by phone, Zoom, or in-person
  • Patients will be registered into a relevant group education class to attend before being scheduled in for a one-on-one appointment.
  • Appointments are available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, and Punjabi. Interpreters are available if your patient speaks a language not listed.
  • Nutrition counselling is available for the conditions listed on the referral form.
  • Nutrition counseling is available at the follow locations: South Health Campus, South Calgary Health Centre, Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, Genesis Centre, East Calgary Health Centre, Cochrane Community Centre.
  • Patients are required by the College of Dietitians of Alberta to be in Alberta at the time of the appointment.

Contact Details

South Calgary Health Centre

Address
31 Sunpark Plaza SE
Calgary, Alberta
T2X 3W5
Telephone
1-844-527-1160 (Registration)
Fax
403-955-6868
Accessibility

This facility is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator on site.

Getting There

Parking: 5 hours free.

Surface Parking Lot.

Hours of Operation
Days of the Week

Monday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Tuesday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Wednesday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thursday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Access
Service Providers May Include
dietitians, kinesiologists, occupational therapists (OTs), physiotherapists (PTs), respiratory therapists (RTs), social workers
Eligibility

Adults (18+) referred to Supervised Exercise must have a chronic condition, reside in the Calgary Zone, be attached to a family physician or nurse practitioner, are able to manage their health condition independently and able to actively participate in sessions. We offer both group exercise classes and health coaching. Those interested in group exercise must be able to communicate in English, be able to apply the principles shared in class, be able to transfer out of a chair and walk independently (with or without a walking aid) and able to attend most sessions. All patients referred to exercise must be evaluated for risk of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease and be medically stable.

Service Access

Healthcare providers should consult the Alberta Referral Directory for service referral information.

Please consult the Alberta Referral Directory for more detailed Eligibility Requirements.

Call 1-844-527-1160 for more information or to register for all program types.

Register online for health education classes and self-management workshops by visiting our website at www.ahs.ca/ahlp

Physician or health care provider and self-referral accepted.


Wait Times

An estimated wait time will be provided at the time of appointment booking.

Service Languages
Interpreter/Translation services
Service Locations
Also Known As
Acronym
AHLP
Previous
Living Well with a Chronic Condition
Other
AHLP Calgary, Better Choice, Better Health(R), Health Coaching, Health Education, Self Management, Supervised Exercise Program, ahlp calgary