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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 14, 2007 Our Mission The YMCA of Oakville is a charitable association open to all, dedicated to providing life-long opportunities for health enhancement and personal growth. New Space and New Life heartbeat Health-related news, tips and stories from the YMCA of Oakville February 14, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com 2007 Goal is $180,000 Raised to Date: $24,290 In September of 2006, the Y opened its doors to the Halton Healthcare Services Cardiac Rehabilitation Program as part of a unique partnership that brought that program and its participants into the YMCA of Oakville. The green? That's the bright and cheerful colour worn by the caring and dedicated members of the HHS Cardiac team who give the cardiac patients a chance at a new life. Born out of need, the partnership was formed in response to community hospital space limitations and challenges ­ including a location next to the hospital morgue and capacity limitations of 344 patients per year. The move was also prompted by another objective to take the program out into the community and into an environment which would encourage life-long health and exercise habits. "Moving the rehab portion of the program out of the hospital will help make exercise a natural part of the patient's lifestyle. Patients can reap the benefits of both OTMH's clinical expertise and the Y's new facilities," explained Dr. Donald Peat, Cardiac Rehab Medical Director. An estimated 75,000 Canadians have a cardiac incident or `heart attack' each year, and rehabilitation has been shown to dramatically cut the risk of death by up to 30 per cent. Cardiac rehabilitation is recommended for all patients, but only 15 to 30% of patients follow this recommendation. The YMCA of Oakville is a stateof-the-art facility which opened the doors of its new building in 2002 and underwent an expansion in the spring of 2006. The expansion space includes an enlarged wellness area which is shared with the cardiac program. To-date, more than 275 patients have experienced the cardiac rehab program in the new YMCA space, and it is anticipated that the move will allow the program capacity to increase to a stronger A`FIELD OF GREEN' AT THE Y! It's a field of green at the YMCA of Oakville on Tuesdays and Thursdays. New life. New faces. And a whole new way to care for the Oakville community. level of 500 patients per year. A December 2006 cardiac patient survey confirmed a strong, positive response to the bright and cheerful environment at the YMCA of Oakville. 90% of respondents said that they felt comfortable and aware of what to do on the first day in their new surroundings, and 86% felt that the relocation had enhanced the program. Cardiac patients commented on the Oakville Y's indoor track, state-of-the-art exercise equipment, large windows, clean environment and free parking. One patient added: "I feel more integrated into the community with other non-cardiac fitness people." Another said that the Y had `just a great atmosphere'. YMCA staff and volunteers have done more than just stand by and watch the green-shirted HHS staff go through their paces with the patients. Ten YMCA staff members now provide part-time contract assistance and have integrated their wellness knowledge and expertise into the service of the program. YMCA staff has also initiated development of a cardiac rehab maintenance program which is designed to encourage long-term positive behavioural changes and promote on-going health management among cardiac patients. Cardiac Exercise Supervisors Julie Powers, Marilyn Hall and Julie Gibson take blood pressure for rehab patients Deborah Jones, Ann Potter and Leonard Mills. 6 months after they have completed the program. Bruce Ireland, CEO of the YMCA of Oakville, commented, "This is a real win-win situation for the YMCA, for Halton Healthcare Services and, most important, for the cardiac patients themselves. We have enjoyed the life and the vibrant new fac- es that this wonderful program has brought into the YMCA of Oakville and are thankful that we can help the Oakville community in this way." Green for growth and for new life. It's all part of the YMCA mission to make health and wellness a reality for all. HHS Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Coordinator Jane Giliauskas works with rehab patient William Burns on the weights. Anne Tompkins, Coordinator of the Halton Healthcare Services Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, was very positive about the results that she has seen todate from the program. "Exercising in this environment supports the lifestyle change that our patients need to make. It's such a positive atmosphere. The nice thing about having Y staff members participate in the program is that they recognize patients when they come in on non-cardiac days and make them feel so welcome." During their time in the rehabilitation program, a `Passport to Health' membership option is available to cardiac patients which offers a discounted membership option to extend their use of the Y outside the program days of Tuesday and Thursday. Program participants are encouraged to continue to follow a regimen of exercise upon completion of the 6-month program to ensure their long-term health, and patients are able to extend the passport membership for up to There's always a certain excitement in the air at the YMCA of Oakville at this time of year, and it's got a name ­ Y Summer Camp! And if you've seen this year's summer camp brochure, you will already know the face of the person behind that buzz ­ Summer Camp Coordinator, Erica Jefferies. It's hard to imagine Erica without a smile on her face ­ that's just the type of person she is and that's what makes her such a perfect leader for Y Summer Camp. Erica's passion for the outdoors started young ­ she has been a camper since age 7 and is totally committed to outdoor education and the value of camp for kids. "At 16, I did a 36-day canoe trip that really molded my values and respect for the lessons that camp can give you. You live very simply, and going out into the woods for 36 days with a canoe and a pack is a priceless experience." Erica's experience with outdoor education did not end with that long canoe trip ­ it was just the beginning. She did much of Design by Y SUMMER her training at Haliburton's Camp Kandalore, where she learned about whitewater canoeing, wilderness camping, leadership, and `tripping' ­ and has the ORCA certifications to prove it. "The skills you learn outdoors can translate to any setting...you develop a sense of confidence and understanding...you learn to live in each moment and how to adapt to change and be flexible. It makes you a stronger person." Erica has spent many, many hours sharing her enthusiasm and outdoor skills with children ­ her other passion. She joined the YMCA of Oakville Children and Youth team in 2005, and was promoted to Camp Coordinator in 2006. "I want the kids who come to Cardiac Exercise Supervisor Julie Gibson (right) walks the track with rehab patient Dorothy Harrower on her last day in the program. Congratulations Dorothy ­ you're a grad! 410 Rebecca Street | Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 | Telephone: 905-845-3417 | Fax: 905-842-6792 | Email: customerservice@oakville.ymca.ca | www.ymcaofoakville.com Monday to Friday 5:30 am ­ 10:00 pm | Saturday 7:00 am ­ 6:00 pm | Sunday 8:00 am ­ 6:00 pm | | www.gbcom.ca