Overview
Regardless of where you are in your cancer journey, Wellspring will help you select programs that are appropriate for you now, and for each step ahead.
Wellspring’s more than 40 different programs and services are designed to meet your specific needs. Some are designed to help when you’re not feeling well, or if you are dealing with difficult symptoms. Others are intended to help with cancer recovery and restoring your health and wellness. And there are many programs that provide you with the tools, resources and knowledge needed to help you make a transition back into the community and manage your own health on a long-term basis.
The Right Program at the Right Time
The following legend will help you assess the time and energy you will need for each program:
Drop-In Programs: These programs require no ongoing commitment and are especially helpful for those who are not feeling well, are in treatment or are coping with symptoms that make commitment difficult.
Registration or Appointment Required: These programs require a commitment to attend all sessions.
Registered Programs with Home Practice: A commitment to attend all session is required, as is a commitment to home practice.
You will also note that programs are available for both patients and caregivers, for patients only, and for caregivers only.
Support Programs
Support programs provide you with a network
of peers to talk about your circumstances and concerns in a shared way, and in a caring setting.
You might think about joining a support program if you are feeling isolated, want a safe place to acknowledge difficult emotions, or want to meet others and learn how they are dealing with all of the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
Programs for patients and caregivers:
Peer Support (individual meeting); Gay Men’s Support Group; Laryngectomy Support Group; Lesbians’ Cancer Support Group; Taking Charge: Men’s Program
Reiki or Therapeutic Touch
Programs for patients only:
Lymphoma Support Group; Metastatic and Advanced Cancer Support Group; Ovarian Cancer Support Group; You Can Connect (young adults aged 18 to 39)
Breast Cancer Support Group
Programs for caregivers only:
Bereavement Support Group
Coping Skills
Coping skills programs teach proven techniques that reduce feelings of stress, calm emotions, and help you feel more in control of your experience, and how you think and feel.
You might think about joining a coping skills program if you are feeling anxious, tense, stressed or are having trouble sleeping.
Programs for patients and caregivers:
Meditation (Body-Mind); Qi Gong; Relaxation and Visualization; Yoga for Cancer Recovery
Tai Chi, The Healing Journey
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Programs for patients only:
Yoga for Symptom Management
Look Good Feel Better (a program of the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation)
Brain Fog*
*Brain Fog is a program of Maximum Capacity, Inc.
Expressive Arts
Expressive Arts programs offer creative ways of exploring the cancer experience. They provide opportunities to meet with peers for mutual support and conversation, while also gaining personal insight and perspective on the impact of cancer. No previous experience or artistic or musical abilities is required to participate.
You might think about joining an Expressive Arts program if you enjoy creative expression, and want to explore and gain insights into how cancer has impacted your life.
Programs for patients and caregivers:
Drumming
Programs for patients only:
Art Therapy; Music Therapy; Quilting / Knitting for Wellness
Writing for the Health of It
Financial Program: Money Matters
Cancer has a cost, especially for patients who have to take a leave of absence from work for treatment and recovery. Money Matters is a program that helps individuals navigate the complex maze of income replacement and drug reimbursement programs. In addition, it provides access to various professionals through specialized Money Matters “clinics”.
Money Matters is available on a by-appointment basis.
You might think about the Money Matters program if you have taken a leave of absence from work, have questions about income replacement options, or need advice about returning to work.
Money Matters Case Management
Long Term Disability and Employment Law Legal Clinic
Financial Advice Clinic
HR/Career Coach Clinic
Please note: Money Matters and its clinics are focused on the financial circumstances of patients whose income or finances have been affected by cancer. Caregivers are welcome to attend with, or on behalf of, the patient for whom financial needs are being addressed.
Workplace Programming
Most cancer patients who are working at the time of diagnosis take a leave of absence for some of their cancer journey. Whether still planning on a workplace return, or after the return has happened, Wellspring has programs to help patients achieve a successful and sustained work experience after cancer.
You might think about Wellspring’s Cancer and the Workplace programs if you are concerned about the impact of cancer on your career choices, your ability or desire to do your job, or if you may require accommodation in the workplace.
Programs for patients only:
Back at Work
Returning to Work
Nutrition
Nutrition is important at any stage of the cancer journey. Wellspring’s Nourish program provides many different sessions on cancer and nutrition using the latest research to teach the fundamentals of good nutritional practices for cancer patients and, in many instances, includes cooking demonstrations, food sampling and take home recipes.
You might think about a Nourish program if you are experiencing side-effects of treatment that make eating difficult, have trouble managing weight gain or weight loss, or want to know more about how healthy eating can aid in cancer recovery and reduce the risk of cancer coming back.
Programs for patients and caregivers:
Beans, Peas, Lentils and Grains (two sessions)
Breast Cancer and Healthy Eating (two sessions)
Colorectal Cancer – Managing Nutrition During Treatment (one session)
Colorectal Cancer – Healthy Eating After Treatment (one session)
Eating Well During Treatment (one session)
Healthy Eating After Treatment (two sessions)
Healthy Eating the Vegetarian Way (two sessions)
Herbs and Spices (two sessions)
Super Healthy Foods (one session)
Nutrition Myths and Controversies (one session)
Nourish Cooking Series*
Programs for caregivers only:
Nutrition and the Caregiver (one session)
* The Nourish Cooking Series is offered year-round. It demonstrates the use and proper cooking of foods and ingredients taught in the other Nourish sessions.
Health Restoring
Health restoring programs have a rehab focus. They aim to help patients restore their health and recover from the various physical, cognitive (thinking) or lifestyle impacts of cancer.
You might think about a health restoring program if you are experiencing fatigue, physical and/or mobility limitations, or want to improve lifestyle choices to achieve wellness and reduce the risk of cancer coming back.
Programs for patients only:
From Health Care to Self Care
Cancer Exercise
Please notes: Health recovery requires time and energy. Some members choose to take these programs after their treatment is over and they have more time and energy available, while others choose to participate during their treatment. It is never too early to enhance health, but time and energy to attend these programs are required to realize full benefit.
Members with metastatic illness may also find that these programs support their well-being.
Some coping skills programs, such as Gentle Yoga and Tai Chi, and some Nourish programs, are also health restoring. It is recommended that these programs also be considered by those seeking to repair unwanted effects from cancer or its treatment and achieve restoration of health and wellness.
Programs for Parents and Children
A diagnosis of cancer can create special concerns and needs for parents of young children. Wellspring offers special family-focused programs that provide support, information and coping skills to young children and their parents.
You might think about a program for parents and children if you have questions about how best to support your children, wish to learn about age-appropriate communication and coping strategies, or want to connect with other parents who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
When a parent has cancer:
Children’s and Parents’ Support Program
This program is comprised of two separate sessions – one for children (aged 5 to 12) who have a parent with cancer, and the other for the parents.
When a child has cancer: Paediatric Oncology Networking and Education (PONE)
PONE Parents’ Meet and Greet
A monthly drop-in support and networking program for parents of children with cancer. Child minding available by registration.
PONE Special Events
For the whole family, a fun and entertaining series of social events for children with cancer, their parents and siblings.
Information
Each phase of the cancer journey brings a different set of questions. Wellspring’s information programs provide credible, expert-led answers.
You might think about an information program if you have information needs pertaining to any aspect of your cancer experience.
Programs for patients and caregivers:
Lending Library / Resource Centre
Pass It On blog
Professional Speaker Series
Services
At some Wellspring centres, child minding and transportation services are offered to support people in coming to Wellspring and participating in programs.
You might think about Wellspring’s child minding and transportation services if you require either one to participate in a program.
Programs for patients and caregivers:
Child Minding
Available at Wellspring Westerkirk House, Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan House and Wellspring Chinguacousy
Transportation
To and from Wellspring only; available at Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan House and Wellspring Chinguacousy
Over Time
We are delighted that you have chosen Wellspring to help you through your cancer journey.
Although we understand that cancer treatment or recovery can take some time, we hope that a day will come when you have regained your health and no longer require the programs and services that Wellspring offers. At that point, Wellspring has recommendations for long-term health and wellness programs available in your community. These programs can help you stay well and retain the recovery you achieved.
Or, when you are ready, you might also consider offering your wisdom and experience through one of Wellspring’s many volunteer roles, such as Peer Support Volunteer, Front Desk Volunteer, Community Outreach or Fundraising Volunteer. Each role helps Wellspring help others, and full training is provided.
Peer Support Volunteers are available to help you select the programs that will best meet your needs. In selecting programs, we suggest that you think about your particular needs, interests, time and energy.
