Blog

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Balance programs

http://www.eblcprograms.org/
The Evidence-Based Leadership Council provides information on various evidence-based health promotion programs including falls prevention programs.

Home safety tips

https://www.n4a.org/files/PreventingFalls.pdf
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the Administration on Aging provide checklists to make your home safer. Contact the Elder Locator and Rebuilding Together affiliate to find local community resources including assistance for low-income adults to modify their living space.

Falls prevention tips

https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides fall prevention information and educational materials for patients that can benefit you as well.

https://www.cdc.gov
In the search box in the upper right-hand corner, type “check for safety” to find the link to the Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist PDF. This checklist is easy to use to check if you have any fall hazards at home.

https://medlineplus.gov/
This is a website that offers trustworthy health information. You can find more information about fall prevention by typing “fall prevention” in the search box in the upper right-hand corner.

Managing caregiver emotion supports and safety

https://www.caregiver.va.gov
The VA Caregiver Support website provides caregiver support toolbox to help manage emotion and physical burden.

Medical alert systems

http://www.aarp.org
AARP offers specific tips for choosing the right medical alert system. Search for “Medical Alert” using the search box in the upper right-hand corner on the home page.

Nutrition

https://www.eatright.org/
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/coping/nutrition/benefits.html
American Cancer Society

https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition
American Diabetes Association

https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/eating-healthy
American Diabetes Association Create My Plate

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating
American Heart Association

https://www.cspinet.org
Center for Science in the Public Interest.

https://www.nal.usda.gov/programs/fnic
Food and Nutrition Information Center

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/
Harvard School of Public Health

https://www.foodinsight.org
International Food Information Council Foundation

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/basics/nutrition-basics/hlv-20049477
Mayo Clinic, “Nutrition and Healthy Eating"

https://universityhealthnews.com/health-publications/
University Health News

https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/basic-nutrition/online-tools
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Online nutrition tools

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/cooking.pdf 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Heart Healthy Home Cooking, African American Style.”

https://www.myplate.gov/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

https://www.caregiver.va.gov/
Veterans Administration Caregiver Support 

https://www.nutrition.va.gov/ 
Nutrition and Health information

Getting and Finding Help

AgingCare – https://www.agingcare.com

CaringBridge - http://www.caringbridge.org/

Caring.com - https://www.caring.com

PatientsLikeMe - https://www.patientslikeme.com/

Psych Central - https://www.psychcentral.com/

Veterans Administration Caregiver Support page: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/

Planning for the Future

https://caringcommunity.org/self-help/compendiumsguides/growth-house/
Caring Community

Specific programs

http://www.mainehealth.org/mob
A Matter of Balance addresses fear of falling and emphasizes practical coping strategies to reduce fear of falling in an eight-session program. 

https://www.steppingon.com/
Stepping On is a Seven-week program designed for people who are living at home and have experienced a fall or are concerned about falling.

http://www.sailfitness.org/
Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a strength, balance, and group fitness program taught three times per week on an ongoing basis. Balance education tips are incorporated into the program.

http://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/programs/tai-chi-for-arthritis/
Tai Chi for Arthritis is a 16-session program held once or twice weekly for people with arthritis or pain to reduce fall risk.

https://tjqmbb.org/
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance is a 24-week program held twice weekly. A DVD is available for home practice.

http://www.med.unc.edu/aging/cgec/exercise-program
The Otago Exercise program is an individualized program often taught by a physical therapist that consists of 17 leg muscle strengthening and balance exercises to prevent falls. Walking and flexibility exercises are part of the program.

Videos

A male caregiver with Parkinson's talking about being a caregiver for his Mother. 

• - Dance for PD » Winter Stars: Reading and Conversation

  Dance for PD is proud to share this intimate conversation with Dave Iverson – familiar to many in our extended global family as the writer and director of the documentary Capturing Grace – as he discusses his highly-anticipated new memoir Winter Stars, the intimate story of an elderly mom, an aging son, and life’s final journey. This conversation took place live on January 19, 2021.

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Brochures

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation 

• - Cognitive Aging Explained | https://www.paperturn-view.com/mcknight-brain/mbrf-cognitive-aging-explained-v4-0?pid=MzI329742 (brochure) 
  
  
• - Keeping Your Brain Healthy | https://www.paperturn-view.com/mcknight-brain/keeping-your-brain-healthy?pid=Mjc276527&v=1.2 (brochure)
  
  
• - Healthy Aging Tips | https://mcknightbrain.org/healthy-aging/ (tips sheet)

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Websites

Pursed Lip Breathing (from 0:24-1:33) | https://youtu.be/7kpJ0QlRss4

Belly Breathing (from 0:34-1:22) | https://youtu.be/wai-GIYGMeo

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

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.

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

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/

You can reach participants online or at home with our Self-Management Digital Tool Kits. 

This is the Chronic Disease Self-Management Digital Tool Kit for participants learning online or at home.

A Digital Tool Kit comes with all the same materials as our regular tool kit, but all content is delivered electronically via a code.
 
Chronic Disease Self-Management Digital Tool Kit includes:
 
1. Book: Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, 5th Edition (PDF file)
2. Booklet: Self-Test, Tip Sheets & Exercise Booklet (PDF file)
3. Audio: Relaxation for Mind & Body (stream online or download)
4. Audio: Exercises for Chronic Conditions (stream online or download)

This Digital Tool Kit is priced at $64.95 each -- $51.96 after the 20% discount on our website. Up to 40% discount when ordered in bulk quantities.

We have several Digital Tool Kits available for purchase from the Tool Kit catalog page.
 
If you want the digital option, select the number of Digital Kits and add them to your cart. All content is delivered electronically via a code. 

Our Digital Tool Kits include: 

• - Chronic Disease Self-Management Program 
   
• - Chronic Disease Self-Management Program - Spanish
   
• - Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
   
• - Diabetes Self-Management Program
   
• - Diabetes Self-Management Program - Spanish
   
• - Thriving and Surviving with Cancer Self-Management Program

Frequently asked questions about Self-Management Tool Kits for the Chronic Disease, Diabetes, Pain, and Cancer

Q: What is a Tool Kit?

A: Tool kits can be used by individuals or in conjunction with Self-Management Resource Center programs that are supplemented with small groups (3-5 people) in six weekly phone calls. 

The mailed Chronic Disease Self-Management Tool Kit has been approved by the Administration of Community Living as an Evidence-Based Program. The other tool kits were created as a response to the pandemic and are currently under study.

If you are an organization wishing to use the Toolkits as part of a Self-Management Resource Center Program and have questions write SMRC@selfmanagementresource.com.

Q: What is in a Tool Kit? 

A: Learn more about the parts of the Self Management Tool Kits. 


Q: Are the Tool Kits available in different languages? 

A: The Chronic Disease Self-Management Tool Kit is available in Spanish.

The Diabetes Self-Management Tool Kit is also available in Spanish.


Q: Can you ship a kit to an individual participant? 

A: We can ship everything directly to you or your organization via FedEx Ground. 
 
Or, we can ship complete kits to individual participants. If this is what you require, email us a spreadsheet with names and address. We will send them via US media mail to be delivered in 7-10 business days. Please download our spreadsheet to ensure the names are in a format we can use. 

Unfortunately costs prohibit us shipping to individual participants in Canada.

Q: I already ordered books, can I order materials separately to create tool kits? 

A: If your organization has a supply of some materials, such as books or relaxation CDs, you can purchase the remaining products using this form - https://www.bullpub.com/cdsmp-tool-kit-order-form.html


Q: Are these Tool Kits appropriate for the Diabetes or Pain Self-Management course? 

A: The Tool Kit specifically designed for the Diabetes Self-Management course is now available.

The Tool Kit for the Pain Self-Management course is available.

The new Thriving and Surviving with Cancer Self-Management Program is available on February 14, 2023.

Q: Some participants don't have CD players? 

A: If you are interested in digital (MP3) options for books and CDs, please email emily@bullpub.com with your questions.

Many participants in Self-Management Programs no longer listen to CDs. They want to listen to audio programs on a computer, phone, or handheld device.

We are happy to offer this! We have codes to purchase in bulk. These codes allow participants to listen to our audio programs online or on a device.

How do audio programs work? 

When you purchase bulk codes, you receive a spreadsheet by email containing one code per participant. Discounts of up to 40% off for bulk purchases apply. 

You can then email each participant one code to redeem their audiobook. 

We currently offer codes for the following audio programs:

• - Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, 5th Edition (audiobook
• - Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain, 2nd Edition (audiobook)
• - Relaxation for Mind and Body (relaxation audio program
• - Exercises for Chronic Conditions (exercise audio program)

In Spanish: 

• - Relajación para la mente y el cuerpo (relaxation audio program
• - ¡Hagamos Ejercicio! (exercise audio program)

How do participants listen to audio? 

1. Stream Online

A participant uses a code to log in. The audio program is embedded in the webpage. Select a chapter and press the red arrow to play. 

2. Download for later use 

If a participant wants to download an audio program for later use offline, this option is available. We provide instructions for downloading audio.

If you have other questions that aren't covered, please ask. You can Emily or Claire (sales@bullpub.com) any time.

Developed with the Self-Management Resource Center 

About The Thriving and Surviving with Cancer Self-Management Program

Congratulations! You have taken a big step toward managing your life with cancer. We are here to help.

Managing life with cancer is not easy. Cancer survivors want to have the best quality of life possible before, during, and after treatment. Dealing with physical and emotional problems can be challenging, especially when you are living with the uncertainties brought on by cancer, but you can do it! You can thrive!

This Tool Kit does not provide cures or miracles. Instead, it offers you information and skills that are helping cancer survivors lead fuller lives.

We hope that this Tool Kit contains most of what you need. We will not tell you what to do. Rather, we will give you tips and encourage you to try new things and to make the best choices for you. As with anything that is new, it may feel a bit awkward at first, but take it slow and easy. Try the different tools, then make corrections if necessary, to find what works best for you. Then over time, you will have your own set of tools to become better at managing your life.

So, let’s get started! The Tool Kit includes:

1. - A booklet, which begins with a Self-Test that will help you decide where you want to focus. You might start by taking the Self-Test and then scoring it. Your scores will suggest places to start. It also contains Tip Sheets about specific topics that others have found key in managing their conditions, and illustrations to accompany the exercise audio program.
   
   
2. - The latest edition of Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions written by experts in the field. Even more important—all the authors have chronic conditions.
   
   
3. - A relaxation audio program with four different relaxation exercises. The first is only five minutes, for a quick start, and the others are about 15 minutes each.
   
   
4. - An exercise audio program with three different levels of exercises, all of which can be done at home.
   
   We suggest that you spend a couple of hours a week learning and practicing the new skills. There is no right or wrong, so explore to find what works for you to manage better.

You can order Thriving and Surviving with Cancer Self-Management Program directly from us. We offer discounts of up to 40% on bulk orders.