Blog

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Websites

Zen Habits by Leo Babauta | https://zenhabits.net/about/

Print

Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything by BJ Fogg, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019.

Also available as an online program | https://www.tinyhabits.com/ 

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Websites

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders | https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/assistive-devices-people-hearing-voice-speech-or-language-disorders

- This article by the National Institute on Deafness and other communication disorders describes assistive Devices for People with Hearing, Voice, Speech, or Language Disorders.

MAYO Clinic Hearing aids: How to choose the right one | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/in-depth/hearing-aids/art-20044116

Federal Trade Commission: A place to search for general consumer advice | https://consumer.ftc.gov/

Healthline: Hearing and Speech Impairment Resources | https://www.healthline.com/health/hearing-or-speech-impairment-resources 

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Find resources to help you understand communication and communication disorders | https://www.asha.org/

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): Assistive Devices for People with Hearing or Speech Disorders | https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/assistive-devices-people-hearing-voice-speech-or-language-disorders

European Federation of Hard of Hearing People | https://efhoh.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/EFHOH-Survey-European-Standard-EN-15927-2010-Services-offered-by-hearing-aid-professionals.pdf  

- This link discusses the trial period and follow up on hearing aids in Europe.

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Alzheimer Society of Canada – Find your area’s Alzheimer Society
https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/find-your-areas-alzheimer-society

Brain Injury Canada
https://braininjurycanada.ca/

Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health – Supporting the mental health of older adults by connecting people, ideas & resources
https://ccsmh.ca/


Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
https://cnpea.ca/
- Find help by province and territory: https://cnpea.ca/en/what-is-elder-abuse/get-help


Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence – Support and empower caregivers and care providers by advancing the knowledge and capacity of the caregiving field and advocating visionary social policy 
https://canadiancaregiving.org/

Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence – Caregiver resources by province and territory
https://canadiancaregiving.org/caregivers/caregiver-resources/

Carers Canada – Leading national advocacy and awareness for caregivers
https://www.carerscanada.ca/


Canadian Dental Care Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental.html

Canadian Frailty Network
https://www.cfn-nce.ca/frailty-matters/living-with-frailty/avoiding-falls/

Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health 
https://www.ccsa.ca/canadas-guidance-alcohol-and-health

Canadian Pharmacists Expanded Scope of Practice
https://www.pharmacists.ca/advocacy/scope-of-practice/


Canadian Red Cross – Friendly Calls Program
https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/community-health-services-in-canada/friendly-calls-program

Dial 2-1-1 – To connect to community services (24 hours a day; Canada-wide)
- 211 is Canada’s primary source of information for government and community-based, non-clinical health and social services.
- The free and confidential service can be accessed 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages, by phone, chat, text, and web.
- 211 helps connect people to the right information and services, making their pathway to care and resources a guided and trusted one.
https://211.ca/


Dial 9-8-8 – Canada’s national suicide crisis helpline
https://988.ca/

Families and caregivers - Benefits and services for family, including survivors and caregivers
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/language_selection_page?destination=/node/117

A Friendly Voice – For older adults aged 55 and above living in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces only
https://afriendlyvoice.ca/

Government of Canada Victim Services Directory
https://www.justice.gc.ca/

Government of Canada Employment Insurance (EI) Caregiving Benefits
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.html

Government of Canada - Health Information 
- https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases.html

Government of Canada - Retirement Living - Seniors Housing 
https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/retirement-planning/cost-seniors-housing.html

Health Canada Safe Medication Use
https://safemedicationuse.ca/tools_resources/tips_prescriptionlabel.html

Healthy Eating
- Canada's Food Guide - https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/
- Diabetes Canada - https://diabetes.ca/about-diabetes-(3)/impact-stories/a-new-way-to-look-at-your-plate
- Dietitians of Canada Unlockfood - www.unlockfood.ca

Medical Cannabis - Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Medical-Use-of-Cannabis-and-Cannabinoids-en.pdf

National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE)
https://www.nicenet.ca/

Physical Activity/Exercise
- Active Aging Canada – Resources for Staying Active at Home - https://www.activeagingcanada.ca/participants/get-active/healthy-living/active--aging-at-home.htm
- Senior Adult Fitness Exercises (SAFE) – McGill University Health Centre - https://safe-seniors.com

Public Health Agency of Canada Stop Family Violence
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html


Service Canada – Programs and services for seniors
- List of programs and services
- Toll-free telephone number
- List of resources by province or territory
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/seniors.html

Veterans Affairs Canada
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/families-and-caregivers

Veterans Affairs Canada Care at Home Resource Guide
https://www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca/en/publications/resource-guides-and-information/care-home-resource-guide

Women’s Shelters Canada – If you’re a woman experiencing abuse, there is someone you can reach out to anytime, day or night
A shelter is more than a place to stay. It’s the first step in finding the support and services you need, no matter where you are.
https://sheltersafe.ca/

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Print

Burns, D. D. (1999). Feeling good: The new mood therapy. New York, NY: Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Lewinsohn, P. M. (1992). Control your depression. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

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Websites

American Cancer Society | https://www.cancer.org/

Website features: news, information on types of cancer, patient services, treatment options, sections on children with cancer and living with cancer, and cancer statistics.

• - Treatments and Side Effects https://www.cancer.org/content/cancer/en/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects.html
  
• - Nutrition for People With Cancer
  Learn about nutrition needs during treatment and how to manage treatment side effects that could affect how well you eat https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/6711.00.pdf

Cancer.Net | https://www.cancer.net/

The official website for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with insights, tips, and inspirational posts on cancer, written by cancer physicians.

• - Making Decisions About Cancer Treatment https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/making-decisions-about-cancer-treatment 

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society | https://www.lls.org/

• - Making Treatment Decisions https://www.lls.org/managing-your-cancer/making-treatment-decisions

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Websites

Allergy & Asthma Network | https://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/

The Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, a patient advocacy organization, was started by a mother with children who have asthma. Section for patients includes practical easy-to-understand and medically accurate ways to prevent and control symptoms.

American Lung Association | https://www.lung.org/

Also available in Spanish, The American Lung Association website provides information on asthma, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses, ways to stop smoking as well as in-depth information on ongoing clinical trials. 

- COPD https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology | https://www.aaaai.org/

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is one of the nation's largest professional medical specialty organizations. Their website, though mainly for industry, does include a Find an Allergist / Immunologist service. 

American Thoracic Society | https://www.thoracic.org

International medical association dedicated to advancing clinical and scientific understanding of pulmonary diseases, critical illnesses and sleep-related breathing disorders.

• - Patient Resources https://site.thoracic.org/advocacy-patients/patient-resources

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America | https://www.aafa.org/

A nonprofit organization founded in 1953, works to develop and implement public policies to improve the quality of life for people with asthma and allergies. This website provides information about triggers, symptoms and treatments as well as a blog and community forum.

Asthma Canada | https://asthma.ca/

Asthma Canada provides research, advocacy, education and support. Search Asthma under Get Help for asthma basics, diagnosis, triggers, medication, management and information for parents and caregivers. 

Breathe California

• - Resources https://www.lungsrus.org/resources/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• - COPD https://www.cdc.gov/copd/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/copd/features/copd-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment.html

• - Heart Disease https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/

• - Stroke https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/

Chest Foundation | https://foundation.chestnet.org/

Champions lung health by supporting clinical research, community service, and patient education.

• - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/copd-intro.pdf

COPD Foundation | https://www.copdfoundation.org/

A nonprofit organization providing educational materials including a video series for patients with chronic lung disease

COPD Foundation Educational Materials - https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Downloads.aspx

Kaiser Permanente: Sleep Apnea | https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.sleep-apnea.hw49127

MayoClinic: Emphysema | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/symptoms-causes/syc-20355555 

MedicineNet: Emphysema | https://www.medicinenet.com/emphysema_lung_condition/article.htm 

MedlinePlus

• - Asthma http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html

• - COPD https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000091.htm 

• - Emphysema https://medlineplus.gov/emphysema.html 

• - Sleep Apnea https://medlineplus.gov/sleepapnea.html 

National Emphysema Foundation | http://www.emphysemafoundation.org/

This site is to enable those with emphysema to better cope with and understand the nature of their disease through new research, current treatment initiatives, and innovative ways of coping. 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute | https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute plans, conducts, and supports research, clinical trials, and observational studies related to the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases, and sleep disorders. 

• - The Education and Awareness section of the website Includes various resources and publications for patients https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness

• - Asthma http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/

• - COPD https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/copd 

• - Sleep Apnea https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-apnea 

The Lung Association | https://lung.ca/

The Lung Association is the leading organization in Canada working to promote lung health and prevent and manage lung disease. The website includes many helpful resources including videos on how to use different types of inhalers. 

• - Get Help: https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/get-help

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Asthma | NHLBI, NIH | https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Asthma | http://www.epa.gov/asthma/

WebMD: COPD Health Center | https://www.webmd.com/g00/lung/copd/default.htm?i10c.ua=4&i10c.encReferrer= 

Videos

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Know How To Use Your Asthma Inhaler

https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/caring/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/inhaler_video/default.htm

Mayo Clinic: Dr. Benzo Mindful Breathing Lab | https://www.mayo.edu/research/labs/mindful-breathing/videos 

Print 

Fielding, D. L. (2016). The COPD Solution: A Proven 10-week Program for Living and Breathing Better with Chronic Lung Disease (1st ed.). Philadelphia: Da Capo Lifelong Books.

Mahler, Donald A. Breathe Easy: Relieving the Symptoms of Chronic Lung Disease 1st Edition. University Press of New England, 2017

Martin, Jane M (2012). Live Your Life With COPD- 52 Weeks of Health, Happiness and Hope. Infinity Publishing. 

Olle, D. A. (2018). Asthma. Dulles, VA: Mercury Learning and Information.

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Websites

Arthritis Foundation | https://www.arthritis.org/

Official website of The Arthritis Foundation, also available in Spanish includes a blog, resource finder and helpline. 

- Living with Arthritis https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/ 

- Walk with Ease Program https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/tools-resources/walk-with-ease/ 

National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases | https://www.niams.nih.gov/ 

Government agency. Search arthritis, osteoporosis, and other topics:

- https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis

Programs

Fit & Strong! | https://www.fitandstrong.org

- An exercise program for adults with arthritis

Print

Shlotzhauer, T. L. (2014). Living with rheumatoid arthritis. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

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Websites

e-cigarettes

• - National Insitute on Drug Abuse, Vaping Devices | https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes
• - National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Vaping and Health: What Do We Know about E-Cigarettes? | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4154203/

American Thoracic Society

• - Why do I smoke and why do I keep smoking? https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/why-do-i-smoke.pdf 
• - Outdoor air pollution and your health https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/outdoor-air-pollution.pdf  

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Websites

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Sleep|https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html

Mayo Clinic: Lack of Sleep: Can it make you sick? | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757 

National Sleep Foundation

• - Sleep and Disease https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/sleep-disease 
• - The Link Between Lack of Sleep and Type 2 Diabetes https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/link-between-lack-sleep-and-type-2-diabetes 

WebMD: The Sleep-Diabetes Connection | https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/diabetes-lack-of-sleep

Downloadable PDFs

American Thoracic Society

• - What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/obstructive-sleep-apnea-in-adults.pdf 
• - Women and sleep https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/women-and-sleep.pdf 

Websites

ALS Society of Canada: Sexuality, Intimacy and ALS Fact sheet | https://als.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fact-Sheet-Sexuality-intimacy-and-ALS_FINAL.pdf

American Association for Retired Persons: Sex and Intimacy | https://www.aarp.org/home-family/sex-intimacy/ 

American Diabetes Association | http://www.diabetes.org

• - Sexual Health - https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/sexual-health

American Academy of Family Physicians: Chronic Illness and sexual functioning | https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0115/p347.html 

American Heart Association

• - Sex and heart disease https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/sex-and-heart-disease
• - Sex and Heart Disease Brochure https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/order-american-heart-association-educational-brochures/sex-and-heart-disease-brochure **currently unavailable 
• - How high blood pressure can affect your sex life https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-threats-from-high-blood-pressure/how-high-blood-pressure-can-affect-your-sex-life

Diabetes Canada

• - Let’s talk about sex and diabetes https://diabetes.ca/managing-my-diabetes/webinars/let-s-talk-about-sex-and-diabetes
• - Sex and diabetes - what you need to know https://www.diabetes.ca/managing-my-diabetes/stories/sex---diabetes—what-you-need-to-know#_ga=2.232629535.1204631305.1566506322-1316733931.1566506322 

Heart & Stroke Canada

• - Heart: Relationships: Sexual Intimacy https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart/recovery-and-support/relationships/sex-and-intimacy 
• - Stroke: Sex and intimacy https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/recovery-and-support/relationships/sex-and-intimacy 

Mayo Clinic

• - Erectile dysfunction https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 
• - Erectile dysfunction: A sign of heart disease? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20045141 
• - Erectile dysfunction treatment: How can your partner help https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/expert-answers/erectile-dysfunction-treatment-support/faq-20119076 
• - Female sexual dysfunction https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-sexual-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20372549

National Institute on Aging: Sexuality in later life | https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sexuality-later-life

Psychology Today: A Good Sex Life is Possible Even with Chronic Pain | https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ease-pain/202103/good-sex-life-is-possible-even-chronic-pain

Sexuality after SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) | https://www.sexualitysci.org 

For information and videos on a variety of issues related to sex, love and intimacy for people living with spinal cord injuries. 

WebMD: Pain Management, Maintaining Intimacy | https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-management-maintaining-intimacy