The Shift to Virtual Technology is Highly Appreciated by Diabetic and Pre-Diabetic Clients
Diabetes Education Program
As a result of the pandemic, the year 2020-21 has brought significant changes to the Diabetes Education Program (DEP). Despite the circumstances, when the Ontario government first announced the lockdown, DEP educators went to work to continue to provide diabetes education and management services.
Such a program is essential for diabetic and pre-diabetic clients. It provides comprehensive education on the use of insulin, treatment options, diabetes self-management and prevention of complications, and assists physicians and nurse practitioners in developing a treatment plan tailored to the client’s reality, needs and blood work.
An Essential Service for Diabetic and Pre-Diabetic Clients
Unfortunately, diabetes does not take a break, no matter what the context. Knowing also that stress can have a significant impact on diabetes, one can only imagine the impact of interrupting services during the pandemic. There is no question that this program needed to be maintained.
The DEP team members rallied and changed their working methods to offer services by phone or video conference. This virtual approach has the advantage of ensuring everyone’s protection, both clients, who can thus avail themselves of services in the safety of their own homes, and educators. Of course, educators continue to offer face-to-face appointments when necessary, while ensuring that they wear appropriate protective gear.
Over the past year, we have seen the effectiveness of this approach. Thanks to the sustained efforts of the DEP team, the safety of our clients and staff is maintained, transmission of COVID-19 can be prevented and access to services is facilitated, which is greatly appreciated by the community. This approach will likely continue well beyond the pandemic.
Learn more about the Diabetes Education Program
CSCE Annual Report 2020-2021
The CSCE is proud to be able to count on its volunteers and would like to sincerely thank each of them. Initiatives like exercise groups, immunization clinics, the Green Food Box and Chronic Conditions Self Management workshops, just to name a few, would not exist without the precious support of our volunteers. Clients and staff of the CSCE are most grateful for their talents, time and energy. Thank you for all your help!
We encourage you to apply to become a volunteer! Click here for more information.
“Senior Fitness Instructor”
In particular, we would like to congratulate a group of eight volunteers who have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to become certified as Senior Fitness Instructors.
With this certification, they will be able to lead in-person exercise groups for clients aged 55 and over at various locations throughout our territory.
We look forward to when we can safely gather again and see these amazing volunteers in action!
CSCE Annual Report 2020-2021
Despite changes in clinical appointment scheduling since the beginning of the pandemic, CSCE dietitians are continuing to provide one-on-one appointments with clients, answering their questions and helping them make lifestyle changes and improve their health. While they are continuing to offer appointments by phone and in person as needed, as the months go by, they are finding that their clients are becoming more and more comfortable with virtual delivery. This allows for a secure conversation with clients and involves fewer steps than in the past. Over time, a relationship of trust develops, and the dietitian accompanies and supports the client in their desire to make lifestyle changes.
Groups have also grown over the past year, and as a result of virtual delivery, information workshops on the introduction of solids and toddler nutrition are currently being offered in cooperation with the Rockland Family Centre. Le plaisir de manger [available in French], a culinary workshop for young children, is now also available online. In addition, the nutrition program team continues to adapt and respond to the needs of the community by developing ad hoc presentations for various audiences.
Understanding Why We Eat With the “Craving Change” Program
The “Craving Change” certified program is newly offered online by two CSCE dietitians. Its objective is to help understand “why we eat” and improve our relationship with food. As this pilot project was successful, other sessions are now being developed and will eventually be offered at all CSCE sites.
Professional Dietitians: A Trusted Source for Nutritional Information
Each month, dietitians take turns writing an article for the online magazine Vivre + [available in French] by the Fédération des aînés et des retraités francophones de l’Ontario (FARFO). The CSCE is very proud of this partnership, which highlights various themes related to nutrition.
Because CSCE dietitians operate in a field that is constantly evolving, they have tricks of their own and share reliable information based on scientific data with the community. It should be noted that no referral is required and that you do not need to be a client of the CSCE to refer to the services of a dietitian.
Feel free to contact the CSCE nearest you to book an appointment! Click here for more information.
CSCE Annual Report 2020-2021
On December 2nd, the employees at the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) held their annual auction via an online platform. This fundraising event, which is important to our clients especially during these difficult times, raised a whopping $14,415 helping more than 170 families.
For the past 15 years now, the employees at the CSCE have held this annual auction to raise funds for clients who face financial difficulties. The money raised is used to buy gift cards, which are distributed to many people and families residing within our communities. We are so pleased that this initiative can bring some solace to those in need during the holidays throughout the counties of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and Russell.
Congratulations and thank you to all those who made this event a huge success!
Every One Matters.
Pictures of the event
CSCE Annual Report 2020-2021
November 9, 2020 – The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) in Embrun is pleased to announce its partnership with Dr. Kheïra Jolin-Dahel, Family Physician specializing in obstetrics that also offers maternal care and performs deliveries at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital. She will provide bilingual services at the CSCE in Embrun (649 Notre-Dame Street).
Originally from Montreal, Dr. Jolin-Dahel is passionate about women’s health. She graduated in Medicine from the University of Ottawa in 2013. Starting November 19, 2020, she will provide prenatal care and pregnancy follow-ups every Thursday at the CSCE in Embrun.
Women interested in receiving these services are invited to call 613 443-3888.
Both medical and self-referrals are accepted.
Information:
Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie, Embrun
613 443-3888
The CSCE is accepting quotes to lease seven medium capacity colour multifunction copiers and one smaller capacity multifunction copier to replace its existing units. Click here to obtain detailed information about the Request for Proposals.
Enquiries:
All enquiries and clarifying questions regarding this Request for Proposals must be emailed to the following by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020:
Guy Laflèche
IT Resources Manager
Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie
Email: g.lafleche@cscestrie.on.ca
Expression of Interest:
Respondents must submit their proposals to the following via mail or email, no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020:
Marc Bisson
Executive Director
Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie
841 Sydney Street, Unit 6
Cornwall ON K6H 3J7
Email: m.bisson@cscestrie.on.ca
Website: www.cscestrie.on.ca
The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive primary health care, mental health care and community health care services to the francophone population of Eastern Ontario. Its head office is located in Cornwall, with satellite offices in Alexandria, Bourget, Crysler, Embrun and Limoges.
Community Health and Wellbeing Week celebrates work to support each other during COVID-19 while we plan a recovery that works for everyone
From October 5 to 11, the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) will celebrate our community’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic response to ensure no one is left behind. This year more than ever, we’re inviting everyone in Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and Russell to join us in recognizing the everyday heroes who’ve stepped up to meet the new challenges brought by the coronavirus while also addressing longstanding inequities.
Power in Community: A Healthy Recovery That Works For Everyone
The week is an important opportunity for our staff, volunteers, and community members to recognize and celebrate each other’s work, and also the work and tenacity of other community-based organizations, grassroots teams, local leaders and decision-makers. It’s also a time to look ahead.
“We’ve seen so many people and organizations step up here in Eastern Ontario to ensure people still have access to vital services and supports during the pandemic,” says Marc Bisson, CSCE Executive Director. “Here at the CSCE, our staff and volunteers are striving every day to learn about new and increased needs in our community, and to work hand-in-hand with local partners during recovery to address barriers and inequities in our health and social systems made more glaring by COVID-19.”
Some of the work at CSCE over the last few months includes: social check-in calls, delivery of food and other supplies, starting virtual programs, advocating for equity, etc. But staff and leaders at CSCE also know that the work of recovery is just beginning.
“As we all know, the pandemic is not over yet, and many communities continue to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis,” says Marc Bisson. “At the same time, the post-pandemic recovery is becoming part of the conversation. As we look into the future, we need to re-imagine what a truly healthy recovery looks like and redesign a health system that works for everyone. That will mean building on trusted relationships; investing in community and social services to build a more integrated health and wellbeing system rooted in health equity; and leveraging the strengths of community voices and leadership.”
Community Health and Wellbeing Week is coordinated by the Alliance for Healthier Communities of which the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is a member. The Alliance represents Community Health Centres, Aboriginal Health Access Centres, Community Family Health Teams and Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics across Ontario.
Learn more about Community Health and Wellbeing Week
Not many organizations provide the community with an opportunity to consult a dietitian free of charge, as is the case in community health centres. Thanks to the CSCE, the population of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and Russell can obtain reliable information from trusted sources free of charge on one of today’s most popular topics: nutrition.
An overabundance of information about nutrition from countless sources often leads to many questions. As a result, many clients seek evidence-based answers and nutrition counselling from the dietitians at the CSCE. Our team of dietitians is constantly seeking the most recent research findings so they can give advice that is tailored to the medical conditions and personal goals of their clients. Their objective? To encourage clients in their journey towards optimal health.
Many clients are extremely satisfied with the personalized, results-based advice they received. The approach used by the dietitians at the CSCE allows them to provide services that are responsive, accessible and diverse, in both individual and group formats. In addition, dietitians’ work often complements primary health care or mental health care very well, which is why working collaboratively with physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists and others is strongly emphasized at the CSCE.
A Busy and Challenging Year!
Over the past few months, the CSCE has had to be resourceful and creative in their efforts to provide nutrition services to its clients despite all the changes caused by the pandemic. Although some on-site appointments are gradually resuming, clinical appointments, groups and meetings have been and continue to be conducted by telephone or videoconference. This has allowed the dietitians to maintain a quality client-professional relationship during the pandemic as well as valuable relationships with community partners and collaborators.
Needless to say, dietitians are here to stay! Feel free to contact the CSCE nearest you to book an appointment—a doctor’s referral is not required!
Click here for more information
Low back pain is the most common work-related disorder in North America and the number one cause of disability in the world. It is also a major cause of workplace absenteeism. Around 85% of the population will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime.
The benefits of a multimodal approach
There is no miracle cure for low back pain because there are many factors to consider. A multimodal approach seems to be the most effective way to reduce recovery time and get people back up on their feet as quickly as possible. Moreover, when chiropractors are integrated within community health centres, they can play a crucial role in managing low back pain by providing the best possible treatment to patients which helps them recover more quickly.
When chiropractors work in CHCs, it also affects the decision-making of primary care providers. When faced with complex cases, they can seek advice from the chiropractor, which leads to fewer tests and/or referrals to specialists. It is becoming increasingly clear that combining exercise, education and going back to work as soon as possible (or remaining at work) is the best approach.
Getting people back up on their feet with low back pain program
The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie’s low back pain program is provided throughout the counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. It celebrated its fifth year in April 2020. To date, 919 patients have been seen and 12,291 treatments have been given.
Making a low back pain program available to more people is one way to help get them back on track faster and at a lower cost than the average approach. This means a lot to patients who are unable to maintain their normal activities. It also helps ease financial stress and emotional distress thereby lessening the impact these have on the whole family.
Click here to learn more.
Low back pain information brochure (PDF)
July 7, 2020 – Based on the precautionary principle, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is making the use of face coverings by members of the public mandatory in indoor (ENCLOSED) public spaces accessed by the public.
“Wearing a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces accessed by the public adds another level of protection against the spread of COVID-19” states Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the EOHU. “There is scientific evidence that wearing a mask is an effective way of preventing the spread of COVID-19, and it’s another measure we are adding to our arsenal as we get ready for stage 3 of reopening and back-to-school in the fall.”
The decision to implement a mandatory masking policy made by the 4 health units in Eastern Ontario follows the initiative of other health units across the province and will decrease the odds of having to shut down the economy again due to outbreaks of COVID-19. “Mandatory masks will help support businesses and service providers throughout the region as they resume operations by reducing the risk of an outbreak in their workplace, adding another layer of protection for their employees, and increasing customers’ confidence that they can enjoy a safe return to shopping and other activities,” says Dr. Roumeliotis.
The new Directive is in effect as of July 7th. However, there will be an enforcement grace period of one week until July 14th at 12:00 A.M. The EOHU will use an educational approach focused on signage in premises, the training of staff on masking policies, and notifying customers of the Directive. The masks or face coverings used will have to securely cover the nose, mouth and chin. Exemptions will be made for individuals who cannot wear a mask due to health concerns or other valid reasons. For more information, please consult the highlights of the EOHU’s Directive for Mandatory Masking in Indoor Public Spaces on the EOHU’s website.
Mask Wearing to Complement Other Measures to Limit Spread of COVID-19
The EOHU reminds residents that while wearing a mask or face covering can help prevent the spread of infectious respiratory droplets, it’s not a substitute for physical distancing and handwashing. “In addition to wearing a mask, it’s also very important to continue practising good hand hygiene and, when possible, to keep a distance of at least 2 metres from other people when you’re out in public,” says Dr. Roumeliotis. He adds that information on proper mask use as well as other tips for protecting yourself against COVID-19 are available on the EOHU’s website at www.EOHU.ca/coronavirus or the Government of Ontario’s website at covid-19.ontario.ca.
Source: Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU)