India Rainbow launched a ‘Guide to Holistic Self-Care’, a booklet in English and Punjabi
which is an easy to use resource for managing diabetes and other chronic diseases. Funding for this
project was made available through the Public Health Agency of Canada. In phase 1 of the project, a
culturally and linguistically relevant self-management tool to manage diabetes amongst South Asian
seniors in the Peel Region was proposed. The project involved the development of a comprehensive
and user friendly guide with input from the Advisory Committee comprising of experts in the field of
diabetes from William Osler Health Systems and the Trillium Health Centre, as well as seniors
themselves who would be the ultimate end users of this tool.
At the launch, keynote address was given by Dr. Manish Maingi, Chief of Cardiology at the Credit
Valley Hospital. “We are on the verge of an epidemic of diabetes/cardiovascular disease in
Canada”, said Dr. Maingi. “Changing behavior and habits to reduce cardiovascular risk/diabetes
can’t be done effectively if limited to a hospital or clinic, so we need to explore novel ways of
educating patients”, he added. This guide is an excellent example of such an approach. The Guide
to Holistic Self-Care addresses the physical, social, mental, emotional and financial needs of seniors
in a holistic manner, encouraging them to take charge of their health. The guide includes aspects
such as understanding the disease, exercise, proper use of prescription medications and information
on monitoring and managing blood sugar and blood pressure.
The Guide aims to:
• Assist and educate the users to maintain and enhance their physical strength and eating habits
• Be easy to follow and adapt planned activities for self-care on a daily basis
• Improve the quality of life of seniors’ by incorporating newly identified physical activities
• Assist and guide project participants in diabetes management and chronic disease prevention
• Result in better health-care management, early detection and interventions as well as reducing
illness-related risk factors
• Be culturally competent and language specific so it will be user friendly for the target population
Earlier, Executive Director Kitty Chadda welcomed over 80 attendees, and introduced the funders,
board members, members of the advisory committee, networking partners and clients.
Sushil Sharma, Senior Manager, spoke briefly about the ‘journey of the guide’ - the process, the
challenges, and how guidance from the advisory committee helped shape the guide as we see it
today.
President of India Rainbow, Sheela Joshi then released the Guide by presenting copies to Dr. Maingi,
and to Mr. Balbir Singh Gill, who has translated the Guide in Punjabi, to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
Sheela Joshi also distributed copies to members of the advisory committee, clients, and guests.
Manju Panchapakesan, Director- Operations then gave an update on the next phase of the project.
In Phase 2, the Guide will be translated in Tamil and Hindi. India Rainbow will also pilot the guide for
its usefulness and user satisfaction. In addition, healthy cooking demonstrations, implementing self -
care sessions among ‘at risk’ South Asian seniors and training seniors to be leaders to form self-help
groups will be implemented.
In Phase 3 - our current proposal-“Parivartan”- Making a Change in Lifestyles focuses on
promoting pre-screening and early detection of diabetes and related chronic conditions as well as
implementing activities to help South Asians self-manage diabetes. We are recommending culturally
and linguistically friendly tools and developing resource center’s to improve access to reliable
information.
All attendees were given a copy of the Guide, with the hope that they will offer feedback and
comments which will help us plan the next phase of the project.
India Rainbow is thankful to the Public Health Agency of Canada for the support and confidence they
have shown in our ability to reach the community in a novel way to drive home the important
message that making simple life style changes can make disease management easier.
For copies of the guide in English or Punjabi, please contact Preety Gabriel, Project Coordinator, at
905-275-2369 or email her at
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