A pilot project led by a team of cardiac pulmonary health-care professionals will facilitate a wellness program starting in the spring.
The concept for this program started when a health-care team from St. Joseph’s General Hospital focused on the development of accessible and sustainable rehabilitation and exercise programs for people with heart and lung problems.
The program will be held at the Wellness Centre in the Sports Centre at 3001 Vanier Dr. in Courtenay. This facility will provide an environment where individuals can exercise in a safe, structured manner and access required education on their conditions.
The team plans to start the program with four people in 2014 and increase the wellness class size to eight once the pilot project is complete.
The long-term goal is to enable full access to all Comox Valley residents requiring this wellness program through referrals from their family physicians. A minimum of four rehabilitation programs will be held per year.
The team will partner with wellness centre recreation site staff and health-care professionals to provide education, ongoing assessments and supervised exercise training.
Program partners include: First Open Heart Society, Comox Valley Nursing Centre, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, the Wellness Centre and Boehringer Ingelheim.
If you would like more information or would make a donation to support this program, contact Lynn Dashkewytch at 250-890-3046 or visit cvhospitalfoundation.ca.
— St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation