OakMed Family Health Team

09/01/2025

**Save the Date**

The Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Hamilton & Halton is back and by popular demand and presenting on the MIND Diet! Join us in learning how to reduce the risk of Dementia through nutrition & how to implement the MIND Diet into your day-to-day life.

We will be hosting the Society on:
Date: Tuesday, November 4th
Time: 5:30-7:00pm
Location: Trafalgar Medical Clinic - Suite 200- 1235 Trafalgar Rd Oakville

Registration is limited! Please call Bina our Registered Social Worker at 1-905-844-3281 at Ext. 232 to secure your spot!

09/01/2025

If you're caring for a loved one with cognitive or physical challenges, set aside some time on September 18 for Caregiver 101 — a free workshop on caregiving!
Organized by Seniors Working Action Working Action Group (SWAG) and the Halton Age Friendly Network (HAFN), this event will feature representatives from the Ontario Caregiver Organization and Acclaim Health, who'll tell you all about peer support, self-care, and practical resources for your caregiving journey.

Date: Thursday, September 18
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: QEPCCC Rehearsal, 2302 Bridge Road
Call 905-815-5960 or visit the Colborne Centre at 1565 Old Lakeshore Road to get tickets!

08/13/2025

International Youth Day is commemorated every year on 12 August to highlight the challenges young people face, celebrate their contributions to society, and promote their meaningful engagement in building a better future.

The theme of International Youth Day 2025 is “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”. Localizing the SDGs refers to the process of adapting and implementing the global goals within specific local contexts, aligning them with community needs while maintaining consistency with national and international commitments. This approach is vital to ensure that development is inclusive, participatory, and sustainable. When young people are empowered to engage in this process, they become catalysts for innovation and resilience in their communities.

This year’s theme focuses on the power of young people in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and turning global commitments into local realities. Young people are not just beneficiaries of development; they are active leaders, innovators, and agents of change within their communities.

https://social.desa.un.org/issues/youth/events/iyd2025

08/10/2025

National Book Lovers Day 📚 is celebrated on August 9th each year, honoring the joy and value of reading. It's the perfect time to spotlight the mental health benefits of reading—something book lovers already know firsthand.

Mental Health Benefits of Reading
1. Reduces Stress
Reading for just six minutes can lower stress levels by up to 68%, according to a University of Sussex study. Immersing yourself in a book allows your mind to relax and detach from daily worries.

2. Improves Sleep Quality
A calming bedtime routine that includes reading (especially physical books) can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply by signaling to your body that it’s time to wind down.

3. Boosts Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Fictional stories—especially character-driven ones—enhance our ability to understand and relate to others' emotions and perspectives, improving empathy and interpersonal relationships.

4. Supports Cognitive Function
Reading regularly keeps the brain engaged, improves memory, and may slow cognitive decline in older adults. It’s mental exercise that keeps your mind sharp.

5. Enhances Focus and Concentration
Unlike social media or multitasking, reading a book demands sustained attention. This can train your brain to focus better and for longer periods.

6. Alleviates Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Reading self-help books or novels that offer hope and perspective can provide comfort, validation, and coping strategies, helping manage depression or anxiety symptoms.

7. Encourages Mindfulness
Reading helps anchor you in the present moment, especially with genres like poetry or nature writing, which can promote mindfulness and a sense of calm.

Celebrate National Book Lovers Day by:
📕Visiting a local library or bookstore
📘Rereading a favorite book
📗Starting a new reading challenge
📙Sharing your favorite reads with friends
📖Donating books to shelters or schools

07/03/2025

Save the Date!

We will be hosting the Alzheimer's Society of Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Hamilton & Halton for a dynamic presentation on Brain Health! Learn about the differences between memory loss that's a normal part of aging. Review the differences between: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Dementia. In addition, we will be reviewing how simple lifestyle choices can enhance brain health and support long-term cognitive wellness.

Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2025
Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Trafalgar Medical Clinic (1235 Trafalgar Rd Suite 200)

Spaces are limited!! If you are interested in attending, please contact Bina our Registered Social Worker directly at: 1-905-844-3281 Ext. 232 or 1-905-901-5111 Ext. 113 to register.

06/30/2025

65+ Struggling with Sleep? 💤😴Save the Date!
Date: Tuesday, July 15th, 2025
Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Trafalgar Medical Clinic (1235 Trafalgar Rd Suite 200)

This Workshop content was written to target Sleep & Aging (65+) using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Insomnia (CBT-i) components: (Sleep Restriction, Stimulus Control, Cognitive Restructuring & Relaxation Exercises). This Workshop is popular 🔥 Spaces are Limited!

If you are interested in attending, please contact Bina our Registered Social Worker directly at: 1-905-844-3281 Ext. 232 or 1-905-901-5111 Ext. 113 To Register.

06/16/2025

Youth, Smartphones & Social Media Use research in Ontario is becoming more available to access and review! 📱 Check out the following up-to-date recommendations:

https://kmb.camh.ca/ggtu/knowledge-translation/youth-smartphones-and-social-media-use

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/C/24/chscy-data-electronic-device-use.pdf?rev=9643ebe39c294d76bad5ae128fb16201&sc_lang=en

06/02/2025

This June, we’re proud to stand with Ontario’s Two-Spirit, le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r or questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) communities.

-2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada are twice as likely to experience mental health challenges.
-77 per cent of trans individuals in a recent survey reported feeling depressed in the past year.
-Compared with their cisgender heterosexual peers, youth who are 2SLGBTQIA+ are at elevated risk for mental health difficulties and suicidality, with 56 per cent of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth meeting criteria for things like anxiety, depression, mania and substance use, compared with 29 per cent of cisgender heterosexual youth.
The social experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, including the impact of minority stress, access to social support and experiences of negative social interactions, may contribute to this disparity.
-Rates of substance use are significantly higher in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities—frequently as a response to trauma and stigma.

Learn about 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences, especially those at the intersection of other marginalized identities. Here are some great resources:
https://egale.ca/
https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me.html
https://www.youthline.ca/
https://pflagcanada.ca/

Check in on your friends, family, coworkers and neighbours. Open conversations save lives.

Support q***r-led organizations and donate if you’re able. Volunteer your time if you can’t.

Speak out against discrimination even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable.

Consider becoming involved during Pride Month 2025 by actively supporting the community. Check local listings for panels, opportunities for learning about 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, parades and festivals. Join marches and be a part of pride.

For more on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and mental health, visit the Rainbow Health Ontario website. https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/

🌈

05/12/2025

It is National Nursing Week from May 12-18, 2025, and this year’s theme is: The Power of Nurses to Transform Health.

This theme highlights the incredible impact nurses have in shaping health care, driving innovation, and advocating for patient-centred care. National Nursing Week serves as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of nurses across Canada and around the world.

We love our Nurses at OakMed Family Health Team! Thank you for your continuous dedication and support to patient care.

05/08/2025

Today, Ontario is introducing the Primary Care Act.
This legislation, if passed, will protect primary care by making Ontario the first Canadian province to establish a framework for its publicly funded primary care system so that people in Ontario know what they can expect when accessing primary care.
As part of the upcoming Budget, Ontario is also investing up to $300 million to build up to 17 new and expanded community-based primary care teaching clinics, allowing approximately 300,000 additional Ontarians to be connected to primary care.

Ontario Taking Next Steps to Protect Primary Care | Ontario Newsroom

04/28/2025

Spending time in nature significantly benefits mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, restoring attention, and promoting social well-being. It can also help with self-regulation, decreasing anxiety and feelings of irritability, and fostering a sense of calm.

Specific Benefits:
Stress Reduction:
Exposure to nature has been shown to lower stress hormones, reduce blood pressure, and improve heart rate variability, leading to feelings of relaxation.

Mood Enhancement:
Nature can improve mood, increase feelings of happiness, and even help alleviate symptoms of depression.

Attention Restoration:
Spending time in nature can help restore attention and improve focus, particularly for those struggling with attention deficits or ADHD.

Self-Regulation:
Nature can promote a sense of calm and reduce irritability, making it easier to control impulses and manage emotions.

Social Connection:
Nature can foster a sense of social connection and encourage generosity and cooperation.

Reduced Risk of Mental Health Conditions:
Studies suggest that regular exposure to nature can be linked to lower risks of depression and anxiety.

Improved Cognitive Function:
Time spent in nature may improve cognitive function, including attention, memory, and creativity.

Spring Challenge- Try 1 of the following:
Forest Bathing:
The Japanese tradition of immersing oneself in a forest environment can reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Walking in Parks:
Simple walks in local parks or green spaces can improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.

Spending Time in Gardens:
Gardening or simply being around plants can provide a sense of connection to nature and promote well-being.

Hiking or Camping:
Outdoor activities like hiking or camping can offer a break from daily stressors and provide a chance to reconnect with nature.

04/20/2025

Canadian Fertility Awareness Week (CFAW) is a nationwide movement dedicated to breaking the silence, raising awareness, and advocating for better fertility care across Canada.

Each year, we come together to share real stories, amplify patient voices, and drive change for the 1 in 6 Canadians struggling with fertility. CFAW is about community, education, and action.

Fertility Matters Canada (FMC) is another national organization that empowers Canadians to help reach their reproductive health goals by providing support, awareness, information and education; and promoting equal access to fertility treatments.

https://fertilitymatters.ca/
https://www.fertilityawarenessweek.ca/

Dedicated to providing exceptional fertility support and education to the 1 in 6 Canadians needing access to fertility care.