Whitecourt residents live well

Healthy Living Program celebrates 5 year milestone

Story by Lisa Peters

Ron Sutherland first heard about the Whitecourt Healthy Living Program through some friends at the Royal Canadian Legion. Having had both of his hips replaced in 2011/2012 and being newly retired, he thought it would a good place to help get him get back on track to being active.

“I had some pain in one leg from the second operation, and after speaking with my doctor about this he agreed that I should look into the Healthy Living Program,” says Sutherland, 67.

After an assessment with an AHS physiotherapist, Ron began the program in 2013.

“I haven’t had pain in that leg since,” says Sutherland.

This is one of the many success stories of the Whitecourt Healthy Living Program, which celebrated its five year anniversary in February. Targeted towards residents who are living with or at are at risk of developing a chronic disease, such as diabetes, cancer, or asthma, the program is unique to Whitecourt and continues to grow, helping more people every year live a healthier, more positive lifestyle.

The Whitecourt Health Living Program is offered in three different levels. All participants are assessed before they begin level one, which is offered twice a week for eight weeks. Each session is two hours. The first hour features an education session from different health experts, including a dietician, pharmacist, tobacco reduction counselor, nurse educator or respiratory therapist.

“Throughout the eight weeks, we feature 16 different education topics,” says Lyndsay Perkins, AHS physiotherapy assistant. “After the education piece is complete we spend an hour doing different exercises, which vary from spending time in the swimming pool, the field house, or attending different fitness classes such as zumba, TRX, or chair yoga.”

Sessions are held at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre. Levels two and three of the program are more independent, but still offer support and exercise regimes to participants.

“The first year the program was held, in 2009, we had about 20 people go through the eight-week program. Now, we have about 20 people per class, for a total of about 70 people a year,” says Perkins. “Part of the reason why this program is so successful is because of the support we receive from the community groups and organizations.”

Community supporters include the Whitecourt Primary Care Network, the Town of Whitecourt, Woodlands County, Whitecourt IGA, Capstone Infrastructure and the Whitecourt Cancer Support Group.

“We try to provide a community atmosphere,” says Jessica Hein, physical therapist.

Sutherland agrees.

“I not only enjoy the physical benefits, but the social aspect of it too,” says Sutherland. “It’s a very informative and welcoming program. I feel comfortable asking questions throughout it, and enjoy spending my time doing it. The people are there to help you, and they are very knowledgeable. Everyone I talk to says the same thing about it: they all like it.”

Judy Danks is a local resident and participated in the program in 2010. She says the experience enriched her life.

“It was very helpful to work with professionals and be introduced to the Allan & Jean Millar Centre through them,” says Danks. “I’m not really a gym person, so being shown how to use all of the different fitness options available helped me feel more comfortable and confident in going to the facility, and because of this, I’ve been going ever since.”

Danks is also a member of the Whitecourt Healthy Living Committee, where community members, partners, and staff meet throughout the year to review the program and collect feedback.

“It’s a wonderful program. It focuses not only on exercise but a person’s overall wellbeing,” says Danks. “I’m very thankful for it and think it’s important to our community.”

Hein says the success of the program has exceeded their expectations.

“The increase in participants and ongoing healthy lifestyle changes that we see in people proves how important this service is in our community,” says Hein.

A five year anniversary celebration was held at the end of February to celebrate the program and the people who are a part of it. About 70 people attended and enjoyed a mini trade-show from local health services, some cake, and each other’s company.

“It was great to see past and present participants of the program along, with educators and the staff, celebrating their efforts to better themselves and the community,” says Heins.

To learn more about the Whitecourt Healthy Living Program call the Physiotherapy Department at the Whitecourt Healthcare Centre at 780-778-5540 ext. 241.