The Sheep River Health Trust announced a new chair of the board during a recent meeting.
Dr. Robert Haslem stepped down from his position as chair of the health trust and Frances Jackson-Dover, a longtime member of the board was elected to the position on Jan. 28.
In the coming years, Jackson-Dover expects economic restraints to pose a challenge to the board’s fundraising efforts.
Currently, the board is in the midst of improving infrastructure such as new bylaws.
“If there is a way to support the rural needs that often differ from the urban …

Heather Ridsdale found a novel solution to the problem of driving her 13-year-old autistic son to meetings in Calgary each week. She started holding meetings in their hometown of Okotoks.
Ridsdale is a director of the new Foothills chapter of the Autism Asperger’s Friendship Society, a non-profit organization that provides care for families and children with autism. Each Thursday and Saturday the new chapter hosts social activities for youth who have autism or Asperger syndrome.
“Not only does it provide them social skills with their peers, but it’s also learning life skills …

As more foothills residents creep towards retirement age and beyond the strain on Alberta’s health infrastructure will increase said one of the province’s top health officials.
As a result, the Province has been looking at ways of expanding care options to ease the strain on local hospitals such as Oilfields General Hospital in Black Diamond and High River Hospital. Dr. James Silvius, Alberta Health Services’ medical director in charge of senior’s health, spoke at the Foothills Centennial Centre in Okotoks on Feb. 3 about impending changes to the health care system.
“We …

Holistic practitioners in Okotoks are using their healing skills to raise money inhopes of easing some of the suffering in Haiti.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, health practitioners at Sundara Wellness in Okotoks will be donating 80 per cent of the service fees for several different types of healing therapies to the Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.
Five practitioners are involved in the fundraiser, offering sound, colour and vibration therapy, ionic foot therapy, reconnective healing, acupuncture, acupressure and reflexology and massage.
Registered acupuncturist Wendy Powell said the holistic practitioners …

Parents who wish their home life was less chaotic and more peaceful are not alone and they have the power to change the family dynamic, according to a nurse who has been helping moms and dads for 10 years.
Pattie Pilling will be teaching the workshop called From Stress to Success: Five Habits of Successful Moms and Dads at the Okotoks Public Library beginning next week.
Pilling has seen parents achieve a more harmonious family life through using the techniques she teaches in the workshop. The key, she said, is for the …

It seems there is nothing more common in today’s households than little bottles of hand sanitizer.
Due to the H1N1 flu outbreak many Albertans are relying on the alcohol-based sanitizers to stave off cold and flu viruses. However, Dr. Judy MacDonald, deputy medical officer of health for Alberta Health Service (AHS), said soap and water is always the best answer, unless of course there is no access to running water.
“Certainly it’s much easier to have hand sanitizer there then tell everybody to go into the bathroom and wash your hands,” said …

The executive director of the Foothills Country Hospice is not anticipating any change in the level of care despite having to cut administrative staff.
Allan Herchek said two members of the hospice’s administration team were laid off recently after the Province reduced funding for the care facility. The positions will be combined into one and other staff members will pick up any excess workload.
“We are certainly focused on, and optimistic, that our level of care will meet the standards and expectations that have transpired to date,” said Herchek.
The hospice’s clinical team …

A group striving to encourage a healthy community through social interaction, physical activity and wellness has gained the backing of Turner Valley and Black Diamond councils.
The High Country Wellness Coalition earned the support of the councils after representatives from both Towns said the coalition is in line with municipal policies already in place.
Members of the High Country Wellness Coalition, which formed in January, met with the councils earlier this month to ask for their support in an effort to bolster their profile.
The coalition is dedicated to the Healthy Community movement, …

Provincial health authorities have expanded the list of people eligible to receive H1N1 vaccines.
Now included are children over six months but under five years of age and those with chronic health conditions between five and 64. All ages are as of Nov.1, 2009.
Don and Grace Wiebe are residents of the Sandstone Lodge in Okotoks. They are not worried about contracting the H1N1 virus, especially Grace.
“I think it has caused a lot of panic, which I think is too bad. I do think the young ones do need to have the …