Pulmonary Rehab in Canada

[maryaz]

First off, I don't live in Canada. I don't relate well to the locations. I also do not know if anything about this has been already posted.

This article tells of a Pulmonary Rehab in Canada. It is also interesting read for someone with COPD. It is inspiring.
tinyurl.com/2849tu

Jackie; You may want to start a list of Pulmonary Rehabs that are available and also any COPD Support Groups. There is big shortage on all of them. I cannot help with that but it would be a benefit to new people to know. Just a thought.

[muffin]

Maryaz this thread is dead. oh my
Blessings

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Mary; thank you for thinking of this; you're always so thoughtful; one of the things I love about you.

I'd love to re: Pulmo list and Support Groups etc. (BTW; the link's not workingthat you posted) though I think I'm familiar with the article you mentioned. BUT there's a few problems.

The best thing I can suggest for folks is to contact their Individual Lung Ass's (of their area). Chances are they'd have a list (or should have) of local support groups.

We DON"T have enough rehab facilities (in Canada, only 1 in 80 COPDer's of those who NEED it can actually get in). Additionally; you have to "qualify" and be "referred" like everywhere else and that's assuming there's one available somewhere in your neck of the woods. We have 1 facility I beleive in our entire province; we also serve a couple of other provinces. I could list them; rehab facilities (and there IS a list) but it's redundant.

As for support groups....that one's hard to track since the Lung Ass. of a couple of provinces have a few; and; some have sprung up independantly (due to frustration) by individuals since the issues aren't being addressed. I.E. I have a COPD acquaintance in B.C. who started a support group about 1 1/2 yrs ago. Recently he'd been in talks with that province's (area's ) Health Board about a less concentrated and more local form of Rehab. (The cost would be minimal) Even though the statistics, provincially and nationally, by the Govt's SHOW the desperate need, he was placated with them saying basically; well, "We'll have to do our own studies" I guess the Govt studies aren't good enough.

Currently several of us HOUND the government NATIONALLY and provincially. More COPD funding, more rehab, medicines for those who can't afford; what they need to breathe....and I don't mean the "old generation" meds they allow; but the newer ones like Spiriva and Symbicort. We contact newspapers, magazines; heck just recently it was the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons of every province. (requesting they urge their membership to do more and sooner spiro testing since that's one of the few things that IS available to the Dr.'s If you go to my website www.copdcanada.ca ,
check out the stats provincially and nationally. You'd be
amazed.

BTW; many COPDer's as you know suffers from Sleep Apnea and related problems. Our sleep lab here in Halifax is backed up by 2 years.

Next we'll be hitting the Universities that have Medical Schools ( For earlier testing etc - spirometry for ehen the "new Dr's graduate)...AWARENESS.

Currently we've been trying to compile a list of "what is" and "Isn't" paid for when a regular person has a lung transplant by province. We have 4 or 5 facilities in all of Canada that does transplants. For us here in Nova Scotia, we'd have to go to Ontario or Quebec for instance. We're trying to find out 1) who pays for the travel there and the stay 2) the rehab and follow up after surgery 3) does it include a companion 4) the meds needed on-going thereafter (i.e. anti rejection)...well; you get the idea.

I also have a MAJOR undertaking planned for the fall (just don't know how to implement and pay for it yet ) But; I'll/we'll find a way. ....I hope.

Oops; I'm sorry; didn't mean to get on a soapbox here, but don't get me started...especially when it comes to our "elected or appointed" officials or even the provincial Lung Ass's.

Great thought you had though....keep 'em coming!

[maryaz]

Nowhere has enough Pulmonary Rehabs. Part has to do with reimbursement. Here in the States there are bills being presented to Congress. Our lung Assn., unfortunately, is not always up on the Better Breathers Clubs or the Rehabs.

We have been discussing this on a local level too. I was trying to pursue it and then got too many other things going. That is my problem. Rather than one thing in particular I am always doing too many and then don't get it completed.

Try the link again it worked for me tonight. I will put another one here just in case.
www.hospitalnews.com/modules/magazines/mag.asp?ID=3&IID=92&AID=1220

Pulmonary Rehab, just like COPD, itself, is another Big Awareness project. So many people dx'd have no clue about rehab. You could see that by new people coming on the forums and not knowing about rehab.

There is supposedly concern about the baby boomers coming of age and creating many more COPD patients. Yet, no one wants to consider providing what is needed to help.

Sleep labs seem to be a big thing. I understand they make more money.

Jackie; you said 'Yeah, keep em coming'. I don't know if you have enough time to do another reply. Whoa girl. Slow down.

These two pages are older but our countries are not all that much different when it comes to money and what makes money. You might want to look at this. It enlightened me somewhat.

www.rtmagazine.com/issues/articles/2005-03_13.asp

www.rtmagazine.com/issues/articles/2005-06_11.asp

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Your link worked Mary; and yes it was one that I'd seen (matter of fact it's on my website on the COPD in the News area.)

The 2 links you supplied re: the clinics; this idea might not be such a bad one....they'e filling a gap or void.

[LindaNY]

Those are excellent articles, Mary.

Pulmonary rehab is very important. Unfortunately this area doesn't have any.
The doctors around here say "just walk".

[cocojax]

Hi Everyone..I am not sure if everyone knows, but I did attend the pulmonary rehab in my area, I then went on to the maintenance program for awhile. I have posted the stretches and weight exercises that they do there. They have what they call a schwinn


then a regular tension exercise bike, and finally the dreaded treadmill. The class training that you get is tremendous, one of the ladies that worked there is Carol she left the Clinic to go to the Canadian Lung Association. If people are having such a hard time finding clinics we can at least help somewhat on this site. I have all the information saved in my book, and maybe if I ask her with Jackie's permission of course, she may be able to pop in here and help us out... Phil's gym is already set up people just have to use it..Walking is the next best thing if you have not got equipment.

What do you think Jackie?

[kygal]

Hi everyone,

I can also identify another excellent rehab program at St. Joe's Hospital in Hamilton (ON). The doctor that's treating my husband right now started this program and it's definitely his baby. The classes they provide are excellent and all the support people and physiotherapists are wonderful as well. My husband has had nothing but good things to say about the program since he started 3 weeks ago. And, I can attest for the doctor, he's a keeper! If anyone would need information about it, feel free to email me privately or better yet, at my home address.

Mary

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Go for it Ellen! We can all use the extra knowledge and advice from a professional....

[maryaz]

I love hearing about good rehabs anywhere. That is a tool that is almost a must for living well with COPD.

About 5 years ago I could brag that we had the best in town. Unfortunately, not anymore. It won't happen until such time as someone gets us moved to another location. It is a bad joke where we are located in the building and the parking. It was all about business not COPD and so it probably worked for them. Cut, cut, cut.

If you detect a little hostility here, there is. Tomorrow is another good day.