 | Getting the Care You Need |
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FINDING A DOCTOR
- Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons - Doctor Search
- Health Link Alberta - keeps a list of doctors in Calgary and area who are currently accepting new patients. To contact HealthLink Alberta, call toll free: 1-866-408-5465
- Web Registry Program - through an online form people can sign up and are connected to a doctor when one becomes available in one of Calgary's Primary Care Networks
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS
- Make the Most of Your Appointment (MyHealth Alberta) - this information is intended to help you develop a good relationship with your doctor(s) and to make the most of your appointments. Includes some handy forms for organizing your health information in preparation for appointments.
THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP
At one one of the LSA Education Days guest speaker, Dr. Janet Hurley, made the following comments and suggestions about the doctor-patient relationship:
- a common concern is that a patient is expected to raise only one health issue at each visit. This can be quite a challenge if one has lupus. Options include asking for a longer appointment or booking more than one appointment in close sequence.
- patients have responsibilities in building a strong “team relationship” with their doctor(s).
- everyone should maintain a diary that includes medications, allergies, surgeries, health conditions, lab and medical reports if you have them, etc. This is of course only useful if it is current and well maintained.
- your Alberta Health Care Card is an essential part of your “kit” as is any other insurance coverage or disability insurance information.
- yes, "it is possible to get fired by your doctor.” If this happens, Dr. Hurley's very practical advice was to “live with it and move on.” You need a doctor-patient relationship that works.
- in the interest of building a good team relationship, mutual respect and courtesy can and should be developed. Defensiveness and unpleasantness may be tempting when one is frustrated and sick and tired of being sick and tired, however it is in your best interest to keep the relationship as respectful and courteous as possible.
- lupus patients have a critical role in practicing good health self-management. Learn as much as possible about your prescriptions (talk to your pharmacist), follow the advice of your physician and try to understand what triggers your flares and then avoid them.
- make friends with the doctor’s receptionist
SENIORS SUPPORT
- Kerby Centre (Calgary) - resource centre for seniors
- SAGE Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (Edmonton) - resource centre for seniors
- Golden Circle Senior Resource Center (Red Deer) - resource centre for seniors
HEALTH CARE OPTIONS
- Alberta Health Services - The right care in the right place - SENIORS LIVING OPTIONS
- Alberta Health Services - Care Options For Seniors - To get more information on seniors living options, or to request an assessment, contact: HEALTHLink Alberta Toll-Free: 1-866-408-5465.
- Alberta Health Services - Care Options Assessment - Alberta Health Services uses the InterRAI Home Care (RAI-HC) Assessment instrument to measure a client's clinical status. This tool assists health-care professionals to make an objective recommendation, along with input from family, about the type of care required, and where that care is best provided.
- Alberta Health Services - Home Care - Helping clients to remain safe and independent in their own home is a priority for Alberta Health Services. Home care support is available to assess and coordinate the kinds of services needed and anyone can call home care to ask for support.
Alberta Health Services - Adult Day Support Programs - Alberta Health Services - Respite Care - is a care option available to individuals and their families in order to prevent caregiver burnout, provide relief for periods of vacation, provide backup for sudden illness of caregivers and maintain/improve the quality of life for individuals and their caregivers.
- Alberta Health Services - Supportive Living - Enhanced living, designated assisted living, or a personal care home - all these supportive living communities are family-friendly, home-like environments that assist you in living as independently as your abilities will allow, as close to home as possible. Your privacy and lifestyle choices will be respected, and you'll have the security and peace-of-mind that comes from having on-site staff 24 hours a day.
- Alberta Health Services - Long-term Care
- Government of Alberta - Care Standards
- See also:Yellow Pages for "Home Health Care Services", "Nursing Care", etc.
- Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA)
- Canadian Virtual Hospice - Information and Support on Palliative and end-of-life care, loss and grief.
- Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association (AHPCA) - is the voice of hospice palliative care consumers, professionals and volunteers in Alberta. The AHPCA leads in the development of a comprehensive and equitable strategy for end-of-life care in Alberta.
WHEN YOU CAN'T MAKE DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF
- Personal Directive (Living Will) - this Alberta Government website provides you with an overview of Personal Directives, why you might want to create one, what's involved and a form that you can follow to create your own Personal Directive.
- Enduring Power of Attorney - this Alberta Government website provides you with an overview of an Enduring Power of Attorney, why you might want one and what's involved in getting one.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT
- Canadian Caregiver Coalition
- Alberta Caregivers Association (ACGA) - to empower Alberta caregivers and promote their well-being.
To provide education and support on lupus and lupus related issues and enable research to find effective treatment and cures. ©2011 Lupus Society of Alberta