Patient Resources

A list of useful websites, handouts, and book recommendations. Subjects are listed alphabetically. Use Ctrl-F to search for the relevant topic.

Advanced Care Planning

• AdvanceCarePlanning.ca – Information and workbooks to help make decisions and plan for end-of-life care
• Make a Power of Attorney – Information from the government of Ontario on how to designate a power of attorney for personal care and property

Allergy

• Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan – Form for schools and caregivers of children with anaphylactic allergies
• Living Confidently with Food Allergy – Handbook for parents and families of children with newly diagnosed food allergies
• Peanut Introduction Recipes – Four recipe options for the home feeding of peanut protein to babies at low risk of an allergic reaction 
• Pollen Allergy and Foods – Guide to cross-reactivity between fresh fruits, vegetable, tree nuts and pollen in oral allergy syndrome

Cancer

• Grand River Regional Cancer Centre – Learn more about the services at our regional cancer program

Cardiology

• Blood Pressure Devices – Recommended blood pressure monitors from Hypertension Canada
• Blood Pressure Log – Record your home blood pressure readings

Community Resources

• WWHealthline.ca – Comprehensive list of health services and resources in the Waterloo-Wellington region
• 211Ontario.ca – Or call 2-1-1 for connections to community and social services. Available in over 150 languages, 24/7
• Home & Community Care Waterloo-Wellington – Previously known as LHIN or CCAC, this organization delivers local health care services such as home and community care, access to community services and long-term care home placement.
• Cambridge Memorial Hospital – Cambridge Memorial Hospital offers acute care services such as surgery, emergency care, birthing, women and children’s care, medical care, intensive care, mental health care, full diagnostic services and laboratory services.
• Grand River Hospital – Grand River Hospital provides a comprehensive range of care to patients across two main campuses (KW and Freeport), six partner locations for cancer and kidney care (regional cancer centre and dialysis centre) and three community treatment centres.
• St Mary’s General Hospital – St. Mary’s is the second-largest acute care hospital in the St. Joseph’s Health System, and a Regional Cardiac Care Centre and Level 1 Thoracic Surgery Centre. 
• Labs & Diagnostic Imaging – Local lab locations for bloodwork and imaging centres

Chronic Pain & Fibromyalgia

• Let’s Talk About Pain – Youtube videos by Dr Andrea Furlan, a Toronto physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation physician), discussing causes, prevention, treatment, and management of chronic pain
• Retrain Pain – Short 1-min lessons on understanding pain, the role of your mind and making goals, and medications for pain management

Understanding Pain

• Understanding chronic pain in less than 5 minutes
• What is chronic pain and how is it different from regular pain?

Managing Pain

• Waterloo-Welling Self Management Program – Take Charge workshop for chronic pain self-management
• Self Help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia – Articles on basic information about CFS/fibromyalgia, coping strategies, and pacing
• Pain U Online – Online modules from the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute
• Goal Setting – Learn how to set SMART goals to guide your efforts in a meaningful way
• Pacing: Your Superpower – Youtube videos on how to pace, from a 14-year-old who defeated chronic pain
• Best Advice for People Taking Opioids – Video by Dr Mike Evans
• Are Opioids Doing More To You Than For You?
• Opioid Tapering – What can be expected when reducing opioids

Death & Grieving

• Canadian Virtual Hospice – Information and support on advanced illness, palliative care, and grief
• Dying With Dignity Canada – Human-rights charity committed to improving the quality of dying, protecting end-of-life rights, support in navigating medical assistance in dying
• Kids Grief – Resources on how to speak to kids about death and dying

Dermatology

• ABCDEs of Melanoma – Learn about the symptoms of melanoma

Diabetes

• Blood Sugar Log – Daily blood sugar record
• Diabetes and Your Feet – Information on daily foot care and best advice on preventing complications
• Getting Started with Insulin – A fact sheet and guide on getting started with insulin injections
• Glycemic Index Food Guide – The glycemic index ranks how much carbohydrate a food contains
• Hypoglycemia – Identifying the signs and treatment of low blood sugar
• Sick Day Management – How to prevent dehydration, including medication management

Diet & Nutrition

• Calcium Calculator – Calculate how much calcium is in your diet, from Osteoporosis Canada
• Low Sodium Diet – How to limit salt and high sodium-containing foods in your diet
• Unlock Food – Dieticians of Canada website. Range of articles about nutrition including meal planning for diabetes, nutrition for kids, etc.

Ear, Nose & Throat

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – Information on one of the most common causes of vertigo, how to correct this at home with the Epley maneuver

Exercise & Physical Activity

• 23 1/2 Hours – Video by Dr Mike Evans answers the question “What is the single best thing we can do for our health?”
• YMCA of Three Rivers – Charitable organization with membership available for fitness and aquatics facilities, with fee-assisted membership options available.
• From Soup to Tomatoes – Youtube videos of chair-based exercise program (find out about the name of the program here)
• Living Engaged and Actively with Pain (LEAP) – Youtube videos of gentle chair-based yoga, as well as breathing and meditation exercises

Gastrointestinal

• Canadian Celiac Association – Resources on living gluten-free, including information for those newly diagnosed and deciphering food labels
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – Information on IBS from the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
• IBS Overview & Treatments – Information including Youtube videos about IBS
• Understanding FODMAPs – A low FODMAP diet may help manage some symptoms of IBS

Geriatrics & Senior Services

• Community Support Connections – Non-profit organization providing a wide range of services including for nutrition, physical health, social wellbeing, and home maintenance, with fees on a sliding scale
• Region of Waterloo Dementia Services – Information on programs and services to support the needs of people living with dementia in the community
• Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington – Support programs, educational resources, referral services and more to ease the burden of care and improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• iGeriCare – Online tutorials for relatives and caregivers, covering basics of dementia, treatment options, and behavioural issues which may arise

Joint & Soft Tissue Pain

Only perform exercises as recommended by your physician.

• Cast Care – How to take care of your cast or splint
• OrthoInfo Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises – Therapeutic exercise program for carpal tunnel syndrome
• OrthoInfo Epicondylitis Exercises – Therapeutic exercise program for tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• OrthoInfo Plantar Fasciitis Handout – Description of symptoms and treatment options for plantar fasciitis, including stretching exercises
• RheumInfo.ca – Information on inflammatory arthritis conditions and medications used to treat them

Back Pain

• Understanding Low Back Pain – Video from Dr Mike Evans
• AAOS Spine Conditioning Program – Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Pattern 1 Back Pain Exercises – For low back pain that worsens when sitting or bending forwards
• Pattern 2 Back Pain Exercises – For low back pain that worsens when bending backwards, or when sitting or standing for long periods
• Pattern 3 Back Pain Exercises – For pain that is mostly in the legs, often constant
• Pattern 4 Back Pain Exercises – For pain that is heaviness or aching in the legs, intermittent and worsened by walking

LGBTQIA2S+ Sexual & Gender Diversity

• PFLAG Canada – Peer-to-peer support for parents and families of those wishing to understand and support their LGBT children
• Family in Transitions Guidebook – A resource for families of transgender youth
• Gender Creative Kids – Information for kids, parents and allies
• Youthline – Confidential non-judgemental peer support phone line for LGBT youth
• Spectrum Waterloo – Support groups and social events for LGBTQ individuals in the waterloo region, including transgender services and legal aid clinic
• OK2BME – Support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) kids and teens in the Waterloo Region.

Neurology

• Headache Diary – Record occurrences of your headaches, triggers and medications used
• My Chronic Migraine – Information and tools to understand your symptoms and treatment options

Pediatrics

• AboutKidsHealth.ca – Health education website, from SickKids Hospital
• Rourke Baby Record – Links to various trusted information sources for parents, on common childhood topics and illnesses
• Cambridge Family Early Years Centre – Free programs for children, parents and caregivers in a friendly environment that fosters children learning and development, provides support to parents and caregivers, and connects families to community services
• Family Compass – Find services for children and youth in Waterloo region
• CHEO Constipation Handout – What you need to know about constipation, how to clean out the bowels and retrain them to prevent future episodes
• CHEO Fever Handout – Fever measurement and management, including doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen

Child & Youth Mental Health

• Kids Help Phone – Free, confidential mental health support for young people
• Front Door – Child & youth mental health services
• Bibliotherapy.ca – A list of recommended books on child & youth mental health, including some for children, compiled by a psychiatrist.
• Lutherwood – Range of services to assist children, youth and their families coping with mental health challenges including live-in treatment and assessment services, family crisis and prevention counselling, and community and school-based interventions

Development

• Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre – For children with intellectual disability of autism spectrum disorder, the single point of access for clinical services, service coordination, children’s residential services, children’s respite and service resolution
• KidsAbility – Community-based organization that offers a range of rehabilitation services for children and youth from birth to age 18 and their families.  This includes children and youth with communication, developmental and/or physical delays or disabilities.  
• Let’s Talk – Tips for building your child’s speech & language skills, by age

Pregnancy & Obstetrics

• Cambridge Memorial Hospital Childbirth Program – Information on the obstetrics, labour and delivery program
• OMama – Trusted, evidence-informed pregnancy, birth, and early parenting information. Guides step-by-step through the pregnancy and postpartum timeline.
• Region of Waterloo Pregnancy & Parenting Resources – Guide to local and provincial services available to support you during pregnancy and early parenting

Prenatal Genetic Screening

• A Guide to Understanding Preantal Genetic Screening – A guide to understanding prenatal genetic screening tests from the Genetic Education Canada Knowledge Organization
• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) – Information on NIPT, from the Genetic Education Canada Knowledge Organization
• Prenatal Screening Ontario – Information on prenatal screening options, understanding results and next steps

Breastfeeding & Nutrition

• Two Rivers FHT Newborn Support Program – Ongoing breastfeeding assessment and support from a lactation consultant, in line with the Baby Friendly Initiative
• Breastfeeding Buddies – Local peer support program
• Breastfeeding Supports in Waterloo Region – List of available local professional resources
• Breastfeeding & Your Baby Videos – Youtube videos from Region of Waterloo Public Health on topics including identifying signs of hunger in your baby, latching, burping, hand expression, and cup and spoon-feeding
• KellyMom – Comprehensive website on common questions and concerns about breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding Matters – A guide for breastfeeding families, by Best Start
• Formula Feeding Your Baby – A guide on how to feed your baby using formula, from Region of Waterloo Public Health
• Feeding Your Infant & Young Child – Information on nutrition for your young child, including transition to solids, and sample meal plans for up to 12 months

Postpartum Mental Health

• Postpartum Community Resources – List of local resources
• Postpartum Support Online Resources – List of resources
• Postpartum Support Private Practitioners – List of local providers in private practice

Public Health

• Public Health Immunizations & Vaccinations – Information on vaccines and immunization services, including school program vaccines

COVID-19

• Region of Waterloo Public Health – Information on assessment, testing, and vaccinations
• COVID Testing Locations & Assessment Centres – Find your closest location to get a COVID‑19 test or clinical assessment.
• COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs – Vaccine FAQs and info sheet on benefits, side effects, ingredients and allergies, as well as vaccinations while pregnant or breastfeeding, with health conditions, or with previous COVID-19 infection
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheets – In multiple languages, from Women’s College Hospital
• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children – FAQs from the Canadian Pediatric Society
• Confused About COVID? – Family doctors answer commonly asked questions
• COVID-19 Attestation Form – This package has forms you can use instead of a doctor’s note when you or your children are ready to return to your normal activities.
• Paxlovid – Information on the oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19

Respirology

• Asthma Medications – Handout from Asthma Canada on inhaler medications, FAQs, and how to use your inhaler devices properly
• Asthma Action Plan – Your Asthma Action Plan is your personalized guide for managing asthma when it gets out of control. It should help you recognize the early warning signs of an asthma exacerbation so you can take the appropriate steps to prevent a full-blown attack.

Smoking

• Two Rivers FHT The Last Cigarette Program – Speak with smoking cessation counselors and receive free nicotine replacement therapy
• Smoker’s Helpline – Free and personalized tools to help you quit successfully

Sexual Health

• SexAndU.ca – Information on sexual and reproductive health for all ages
• It’s A Plan – Helping you make decisions about contraception
• Shore Centre – Waterloo region sexual health resources and education. Also provides medical services including counselling for pregnancy options, abortion options, and support after an abortion.
• Positive Sexuality Resources for Parents – Resources including books and websites for parents to raise sexually healthy kids, collected by Peggy Orenstein

Sleep

• MySleepWell.ca – Information on insomnia and resources on cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi)

Travel

• CDC Traveler’s Health – Check health notices and recommended vaccinations by country of destination
• Travel Advisories – Government of Canada advice and advisories by destination