Marche vers le futur (French program)

Over the past few decades, an increase in the aging of the population has been observed. Seniors are growing in number and are living longer. However, they are more likely to have limitations, falls and require care.

To meet this need, the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) will be offering, as of January 2023, a new telehealth program MARCHE VERS LE FUTUR (MVF). MVF is a unique falls prevention initiative designed for sedentary French-speaking older adults 55 +. Two free groups will be offered – a hybrid group in Cornwall (indoor participants) and a second virtual group (at-home participants).

HYBRID GROUP IN CORNWALL (INDOOR PARTICIPANTS):
Thursday from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
January 12 to March 23, 2023
Health Promoter: Tania Sveistrup ([email protected])

or

ONLINE VIRTUAL GROUP (AT-HOME PARTICIPANTS): 
Tuesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
January 10 to March 21, 2023
Health Promoter: Sylvain Thibault ([email protected])

MVF is a 12-week program that aims to reduce the risk factors responsible for falls in the elderly and to improve access to health services.

The main objectives are:

• to improve knowledge of the risk factors for falls;
• to improve static and dynamic balance;
• to increase the muscular strength of the lower extremities;
• to counter isolation while encouraging healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical activity.

The MVF program includes:

• information capsules on preventing falls and ways to act on modifiable risk factors;
• exercise sessions (once a week for 12 weeks);
• an exercise program to be done independently at home.

For more information, contact Sylvie Thauvette Legros at [email protected] or 613 557-2210 #6224.

Education to protect tomorrow is the theme of World Diabetes Day 2022, the second year of the 2021–23 focus on access to diabetes care. This year’s campaign focuses on the need for better access to quality diabetes education for health professionals and people living with diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels, which can damage organs, blood vessels and nerves. The body needs insulin to use sugar as an energy source.

At this time, researchers do not yet know how to prevent type 1 diabetes. However, type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented. If you have risk factors for type 2 diabetes, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Better food choices, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight will help.

November 14^th

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) started World Diabetes Day in 1991 in response to the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. It has since grown to become a globally celebrated event and an official United Nations (UN) awareness day. It is now the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign.

Diabetes: education to protect tomorrow #EducationToProtect

One in 10 adults around the world now live with diabetes, an estimated 537 million people. Almost half do not know they have it. This is putting added strain on healthcare systems.

Healthcare professionals must know how to detect and diagnose the condition early and provide the best possible care.

People living with diabetes need access to ongoing education to understand their condition and carry out the daily self-care essential to staying healthy and avoiding complications.

IDF is committed to facilitating learning opportunities for all people impacted by diabetes. The Understanding Diabetes platform provides free online and interactive courses to help people with diabetes and their carers to understand and manage their condition.

Diabetes facts and figures

• 537 million adults (1-in-10) have diabetes
• The number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030
• 1-in-2 people with diabetes remain undiagnosed
• 4 out of 5 people with diabetes live in low and middle income countries
• Diabetes caused 6.7 million deaths in 2021
• Diabetes caused at least $966 billion in health expenditure in 2021

CSCE Diabetes Education Program

The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie’s (CSCE) Diabetes Education Program allows all people with diabetes or prediabetes to learn the skills they need to take an active role in managing their condition daily. The Diabetes Education Program team is made up of a dietitian and a nurse whose mandate is to teach people with diabetes to take charge of their health and manage their disease. To do this, one group session along with personalized follow-ups are offered on topics. The program is available at our Alexandria, Bourget, Cornwall and Embrun locations.

To know more about Diabetes, visit www.worlddiabetesday.org or www.diabetes.ca.

Community Health and Wellbeing Week celebrates CSCE’s work to confront inequity in support of health and wellbeing

Cornwall, October 17, 2022 – From October 17 to 23, the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is celebrating its continued work along with partners in Eastern Ontario to confront inequity in support of equitable health for everyone living here. We have some activities planned for the week, and you can learn about them here: www.facebook.com/cscestrie.

Confronting Inequity and Celebrating Community is the dual focus of Community Health and Wellbeing Week this year all across Ontario

This week, we pause to celebrate innovative and relentless work in Eastern Ontario, alongside other community-based organizations, grassroots teams, local leaders and community health champions across the province. Health inequities made apparent to many and worsened by the pandemic, particularly for people already marginalized in society, demand strong, locally-driven and led responses. When we confront inequity locally together, that’s what makes it possible to celebrate community.

“It’s only by confronting inequity, in our everyday work, at our organization and in its policies, and in advocating for system change, that we can truly meet the needs of everyone in our community,” says Marc Bisson, Executive Director. “Real change for marginalized people and communities takes shape when we start to examine, shift and replace policies, procedures, and other forms of the status quo of oppression that perpetuate and reproduce vulnerable conditions, instead of blaming the people who endure inequities. Here at the CSCE, we celebrate our community’s efforts to achieve real change.”

In Eastern Ontario, confronting inequity is shown in changing needs of Francophone and vulnerable communities, including seniors and youth. We’re also always focused on increasing access to the highest quality comprehensive primary health care available. To do that, we’re turning to local leaders to ensure that we get the support required to meet the health needs of everyone in our community who is looking for support.

“We need all local leaders’ support to meet the increasing needs here in Eastern Ontario,” says Bisson. “We need leaders and governments who demonstrate that they will invest in local innovations and leverage the strengths of community voices and leadership needed to support equitable health for everyone.”

Background

Community Health and Wellbeing Week is coordinated by the Alliance for Healthier Communities of which Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie is a member. The Alliance represents more than 100 Community Health Centres, Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Centres and Teams, Community Family Health teams and Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics across Ontario.

The City of Cornwall’s Senior Friendly Community Committee is happy to announce their 2022 Aging Well: Senior Health and Safety Fair. The fair is taking place on Wednesday, September 28th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Benson Center in Cornwall. 

This free event is open to everyone and will showcase services and programs for seniors and their caregivers. With 40 exhibits and 15 workshops focused on aging well, there is certain to be something for everyone.

“Aging well is prolonging our autonomy and guaranteeing the desired quality of life.” Bernard Lamarche, Chair of the Senior Friendly Community Committee.

Opening ceremonies will be held at 1 p.m. in the Automotive room and will be followed by Keynote speaker James Conklin, PhD. Author, educator, scientist, and consultant,  he currently leads a study of how long-term care homes are coping with change during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bilingual workshops are scheduled throughout the day on topics such as movement and nutrition for wellbeing, the power of laughter, brain health, retirement living options and so much more. Exhibitors range from senior clubs, education and volunteer opportunities, municipal services, senior living homes, recreation programs, etc.

Food and monetary donations will be accepted for the Agape Center.

To learn more about exhibitors, workshop schedules and topics please visit www.cornwall.ca/seniorfair/.

This event is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

COVID-19 | NORTH GLENGARRY FRONTLINE WORKERS | On September 9th was held in Maxville the 2022 “Business & Community Awards Gala”, hosted by the Township of North Glengarry.

As a group along with other frontline organizations, the Alexandria’s CSCE team proudly received the “Citizens of the Year” Award.

Thank you so much! 🤩

Cornwall, June 29, 2022 – Last week, at Community Action Network Against Abuse (CANAA-RACCA)‘s Annual General Meeting, Ivan Labelle, Community Health Worker at the Cornwall Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie, was awarded with this year’s Award of Excellence.

The CANAA Award of Excellence

For several years, Ivan has dedicated his career to ending intimate partner violence, combatting gender stereotypes and working diligently to build better outcomes for victims suffering from the aftermath of leaving abusive relationships. Ivan has worked tirelessly to connect with the SDG & A community to provide education opportunities and men’s discussion groups. Ivan is committed to reaching out to the vulnerable of our community to empower them and let them know they are not alone.

Congratulations, Ivan! Thank you for all that you do 👏

Cornwall, June 22, 2022 – Once again this year, the pandemic was at the forefront of Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie’s (CSCE) daily work. With this in mind, we are inviting you to review our online 2021-22 Annual Report. Thanks to the dedication, resilience and commitment of our staff, the CSCE was able to successfully respond to the many challenges that arose by continuing to provide excellent services and supporting our local health system partners.

An Annual Meeting in Virtual Mode

The CSCE held its thirty-second annual meeting in virtual mode on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Ms. Shirley Racine, Chair of the Board, and Mr. Marc Bisson, Executive Director, lead the meeting. They presented the outline of the new 2022-27 CSCE Strategic Plan, the report of the nomination committee and the 2021-22 financial report. They also recognized the work of outgoing Board members and staff who have worked at the CSCE for a number of years.

Here Are Highlights That Illustrate Some of the CSCE’s Achievements in 2021-22: 

• Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic (Vaccination Clinics, Testing Centre, etc.)
• Contribution in the Development of Local Ontario Health Teams (OHTs)
• Bridging Care: a New Program for Vulnerable Clients
• Managing the Growing Demand for Mental Health Services
• Get Moving with the CSCE
• Diabetes Education Program
• Aging at Home: The Value of Group Intervention
• The CSCE Memory Clinic at a Glance
• etc.

Click here to read all the CSCE 2021-22 Annual Report.

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Health in French

In the second part of the meeting, our guest, Ms. Jacinthe Desaulniers, Chief Executive Officer of the Réseau des services de santé en français de l’Est de l’Ontario (RSSFEO), made a presentation on the theme “Health in French”. During her presentation, Ms. Desaulniers first describe the actual situation, then spoke about the impact of the health system transformation on Francophones.

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Excellence, Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration, Engagement and Responsibilisation

The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is the hub of French-language health services in Eastern Ontario. The CSCE knows and understands the needs of the Francophone and vulnerable populations throughout the counties of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and Russell. The CSCE offers the highest quality of primary and community health services, works in partnership to improve access to the continuum of services and acts as a navigator and coordinator through the community. 

Most of the province’s remaining provincial masking requirements will expire as of June 11, 2022. However, health care organizations may implement their own policies.

Therefore, clients who are coming to CSCE for appointments, as well as staff and visitors, will still be asked to wear a mask at all times while at CSCE as of June 11, 2022.

Please be kind and respectful with our staff when coming to CSCE, and remember that we follow more restrictive infection control measures because we provide care to vulnerable clients.

This decision was made in consultation with the CSCE’s Medical Care Team Leader and several other Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Ontario who will also be maintaining this measure in many of their facilities.

More information:
Government of Ontario – Most Masking Requirements to be Lifted on June 11
Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) – Masks (Face Coverings)

Each year June is a great opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ2S+ community and push for continued progress and equality.

Everyone deserves to feel respected, accepted and empowered to be themselves.

Let’s continue to embrace diversity and inclusivity to help make this world a better place!

Every One Matters.

Happy Pride Month!

Cornwall, May 24, 2022 – As front-facing community health organizations, we’ve seen what our community has endured during the pandemic, and the supports needed to get through a crisis. We’re raising our voices for marginalized people here in Eastern Ontario because having leaders and policies that support community health matters. Here are the principles guiding us:

Community Health Matters.

Ontario needs to support community health organizations so they can support their communities. To support community health organizations like ours in Eastern Ontario, we need leaders who will address the health human resources crisis, including through repealing Bill 124, the pay freeze on health care workers, and by ensuring funding levels for operations can meet rapidly rising costs and increasing needs. We also need leaders who are ready to make team-based primary health care more widely available. We know people have specific needs for primary care, mental health, culturally and linguistically specific services. In our region we do not have equitable access to those services. Ontario must act now to address these gaps.

Health Equity Matters.

Ontario needs to support community health organizations’ innovative and transformational local leadership in communities across the province to improve health care experiences and outcomes for marginalized populations. This means finding ways to put Indigenous health in Indigenous hands through systemic change that supports both Indigenous-governed organizations, and cultural safety training so all spaces are safer for Indigenous people. This means supporting Francophone health by ensuring someone’s preferred official language is integrated into the Ontario health card as soon as possible. It means building on innovations to expand and improve care for 2SLGBTQ+ health, including ensuring accessible trans care within primary care. It means greater access and equitable services for rural communities. And it also means collecting socio-demographic and race-based data in health care that’s needed for a clear picture of the health of all populations, and to identify and address disparities.

Digital Equity Matters.

Ontario needs to prioritize equitable and sustainable access to e-health and virtual health services by funding community health organizations to deliver digital equity programs. Whether someone lives in a city, suburban area or rural region, innovations in digital health hold promise to improve the lives and health of people isolated and marginalized in our region while also helping to make our health system more sustainable – if paired thoughtfully and equitably with principles of digital equity. We need leaders who support policies that not only drive a technology revolution in health care, but who understand this important transformation needs to benefit everyone.

Our community health organizations have been especially busy lately with diverse activities, programs, and services to support our communities during those tough times. We’re able to do that work through the support for Ontario’s community health sector. We’re doing that while we continue to offer the wraparound, comprehensive primary health care services you expect from us, as we continue to work to ensure no one is left behind in our region.

The pandemic has taught us many lessons. One important lesson is how interconnected health, and public health, truly are. To ensure a thriving in Eastern Ontario and a thriving Ontario for decades to come, we must invest in community health now. It’s an investment in the future for all of us.

Marc Bisson Executive Director

Erin Killoran Executive Director

Penelope Smith Executive Director