How to save money on your gym membership, thanks to the Province
By Nelson Daily Staff
A $68.7-million health-promotion program — Healthy Families BC strategy — could help offset the cost of gym memberships for British Columbians.
The first program launched in the strategy, the $24-million Prescription for Health program, will give B.C. doctors additional tools to conduct medical assessments and work with patients to develop a health promotion and illness prevention plan that best suits their medical needs and personal situation.
Patients may identify a lifestyle change goal, which will be documented by the physician on a Prescription for Health.
Prescription for Health is available to patients with one or more of the following risk factors: smoking; unhealthy eating (excess calories, fat or sodium in their diet); physical inactivity (less than 30 minutes of activity several times per week); and medical obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more).
The program was developed in partnership with the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC) — a joint committee of the Ministry of Health and the BC Medical Association.
The patient’s Prescription for Health may refer them to free-of-charge telephone-based lifestyle support services to help patients achieve their individual lifestyle change goals.
As an incentive, 50,000 participating patients will be eligible for a subsidy of up to $50 toward programs such as a gym membership, physical activity-based recreation programs or personal nutritional programs.
Over the coming months, the healthy families strategy will focus on a variety of measures to encourage British Columbians to lead healthier lives where they live, work and play. Of the $68.7 million allocated for this strategy, the Province is working with health authorities to re-prioritize $45 million of health authority spending to focus on prevention initiatives that align with this strategy.
For more information on Healthy Families BC or Prescription for Health, please visit, www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca.
Healthy living supports for B.C. families
As part of Prescription for Health, participating patients may be referred to free-of-charge telephone-based lifestyle support services designed to support patients in achieving their individual lifestyle change goal.
Resources included in the program are:
Physical Activity Line
- Toll free: 1 877 725-1149
- www.PhysicalActivityLine.com
Staffed by Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology certified exercise physiologists, the Physical Activity Line (PAL) is a free telephone and online resource that offers physical activity and healthy living information to both the public and health professionals.
PAL offers guidance on becoming more physically active, overcoming barriers, and staying motivated.
PAL will provide you with the most up-to-date, trusted physical activity and health information. PAL’s telephone services are available Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
QuitNow Services
- Toll free: 1 877 455-2233
- www.QuitNow.ca
QuitNow, delivered through the BC Lung Association, provides a wide range of free smoking cessation services that are available around the clock for all B.C. residents.
Trained care coaches will help develop a quit plan, deal with cravings and provide on-going support.
QuitNow is available by phone, online or through a new, free 14-week mobile texting service.
Dietitian Services at HealthLink BC
- Call 8-1-1 and ask to speak with a dietitian
- www.HealthLinkBC.ca/dietitian
Dietitian Services at HealthLink BC is a telephone-based service that offers free nutrition information and advice to the residents of B.C. Registered dietitians help callers meet their personal nutrition goals to maintain a healthy lifestyle and/or manage chronic conditions.
If more in-depth or continuing nutrition care is needed, callers are guided to hospital outpatient dietitians, community nutritionists or other local nutrition services. Translation services are available in over 130 languages.
Patient Voices Network Peer Coaching Program
- Toll free: 1 888 742-1772
- www.patientvoices.ca
The Peer Coaching program is a six-session telephone-based program led by trained peer coaches who support and motivate participants to set and reach healthy living goals in the following areas: getting more exercise, eating a healthier diet, losing weight or reducing or stopping smoking.
The Peer Coaching program does not cover mental health issues like anxiety or depression, alcohol or drug use, or employment/career coaching. The Peer Coaching program is led by ImpactBC in collaboration with the Ministry of Health’s Patients as Partner’s program.
Self-Management Programs
- Toll free 1 866 902-3767, Lower Mainland 604 940-1273
- email: selfmanagement@eastlink.ca
- www.selfmanagementbc.ca
Self-management programs, supported by the University of Victoria, are peer-led patient education programs offered in communities across British Columbia.
Several programs are available, including: chronic disease, diabetes, arthritis/fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Trained peer leaders meet with groups of 10 to 16 individuals for two-and-a-half hours once a week for six consecutive weeks.
Other programs include a Matter of Balance, targeted at older adults to reduce fear of falling, and Active Choices, a six-month program to encourage people to exercise.
The program follows an interactive format and is delivered in community settings like senior centres, libraries and recreation centres.
Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health
- Toll free: 1 866 639-0522
- www.bouncebackbc.ca
Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health is a free, skill-building program for adults experiencing low mood or stress, with or without anxiety.
The program offers two forms of self-help: an instructional DVD, with practical tips on recognizing and dealing with depressive symptoms, and a workbook-based program with motivational telephone coaching to teach cognitive-behavioural skills for overcoming difficulties such as inactivity, unhelpful thinking, worry and avoidance.
Bounce Back is accessible by doctor’s referral and is offered throughout B.C. by the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division.
