🎤 INSPIRE | EDUCATE | EMPOWER

BEFORE & BEYOND THE BEDSIDE

Advocacy. Education. Empowerment.

YOUR EVENT MAY END. THE IMPACT SHOULDN'T.

What if your next event gave your audience more than information, inspiration, or a meaningful conversation?

What if they walked away with practical knowledge, real-world strategies, and tools they could continue using in their homes, workplaces, families, and communities?

That's the value I bring to your event.

I'm Michelle Smith, an award-winning nurse, health and social advocate, speaker, and author of Health Care Shield.

With 24 years of nursing experience across the healthcare continuum, from acute care to end-of-life care, and seven years in disability management, I bring a unique combination of professional expertise, lived experiences, cultural understanding, and practical solutions.

My experience has taught me something important:

Care doesn't begin or end at the bedside. Neither does advocacy.

Our health and well-being are connected to every aspect of our lives, including our families, employment, mental wellness, cultural experiences, access to resources, and the systems we navigate every day.

That's why my mission extends beyond traditional healthcare education.

❤️ I AM COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING HEALTH & SOCIAL LITERACY.

Through engaging conversations, culturally responsive education, and practical strategies, I help individuals, professionals, organizations, and communities:

✅ Turn knowledge into action by understanding information and applying it to everyday decisions.

✅ Strengthen advocacy and communication by developing the confidence to ask questions, express concerns, and make informed choices.

✅ Recognize the importance of cultural competence in creating respectful, inclusive, and responsive services.

✅ Connect health with everyday life, including mental wellness, employment, disability, caregiving, family responsibilities, and community well-being.

✅ Understand available resources and support systems to navigate life's challenges with greater knowledge and confidence.

✅ Carry practical strategies beyond the conversation and apply what they've learned long after the event ends.

📖 KNOWLEDGE THAT GOES BEYOND THE PRESENTATION

As the author of Health Care Shield, I've created a practical workbook that helps individuals and families organize important health information, prepare for healthcare conversations, prioritize mental wellness, and strengthen their ability to advocate for themselves.

The workbook reflects my belief that education should not end when the presentation is over.

🎤 WHY INVITE MICHELLE SMITH TO YOUR NEXT EVENT?

Because your event has a purpose, your organization has a mission, and your audience deserves information they can put into practice.

Whether you're hosting a professional conference, corporate wellness initiative, leadership forum, community program, educational workshop, or panel discussion, I bring a whole-person perspective that connects your event's message with real-life experiences.

I don't simply share information. I help people understand why it matters, how it connects to their lives, and what they can do with it.

My goal is to complement your organization's mission by delivering meaningful education, practical insights, and actionable strategies that extend beyond the event itself.

🌟 FAR BEYOND THE EVENT

Practical Knowledge. Real-World Strategies. Lasting Impact.

Your event creates the opportunity. Let's give your audience the knowledge and tools to carry its impact forward.

🎤 LET'S BRING VALUE TO YOUR NEXT EVENT!

Invite Michelle Smith to inspire meaningful conversations, strengthen health and social literacy, and empower your audience through education, advocacy, and practical solutions.

📩 For speaking engagements, workshops, professional panels, and collaborations:

📧 janursingservices@gmail.com

❤️ Your Health. Your Voice. Your Advocate.

#JANursing #MichelleSmith #HealthAndSocialLiteracy #CommunityEmpowerment

Health Care Shield: A 23-Year Journey to Your Advocate on Paper

Hey, it's your girl, JANURSING 

I've been thinking a lot lately about why I do what I do. And I realized it all comes back to 2002.

That year changed everything for me. I graduated as a nurse, stepping into the greatest joy of my career. But within months, I lost my sister to poor outcomes in the healthcare system I'd just committed my life to. When I asked her doctor how her diagnosis was missed, his response was dismissive. It wasn't good enough. It never is when you're the one left behind.

That loss taught me something early, before the word "advocacy" even existed in nursing curricula: people need someone in their corner. Someone who asks questions. Someone who fights for clarity and dignity when systems fail them.

For 23 years, I've carried that lesson

I've sat in countless healthcare settings and watched what happens when people have no voice. Patients confused across from doctors. Families lost in systems they don't understand. People leaving appointments without clarity, without power, without an advocate.

 

In 1994, I started my journey in healthcare at George Brown College. By 1995, I was in my RN diploma program. But nowhere — nowhere — in my nursing education was I taught the word "advocacy." It wasn't in the curriculum in the 90s. It wasn't there when I graduated in 2002. Our healthcare system was built by professionals who believed they knew it all, and patients were expected to listen, leave, and not question.

For many of us, especially those of us of colour, we didn't have the knowledge or the confidence to say "that doesn't feel right." And we've lost so many good people because of that silence — because fear kept us from standing up for what we knew was true.

Then came 2011

When I founded JA Smith Consulting and Nursing Services, I searched Canada for a model of patient advocacy, and found nothing. So I looked to Florida, where patient advocacy was already thriving because of their large senior population. I modeled my business after what was working there, brought it north, and dubbed myself a "health and social advocate."

 

People spent years asking me, "What does an advocate do?" It wasn't a household term. Neither was "culturally competent healthcare," but that's what I built my entire model around from day one. I was pioneering something Canada didn't even have a name for yet.

In 2015, my need became greater

As my work deepened and the community's needs grew, I founded JA Nursing We Care Inc. — my nonprofit division dedicated to health and social literacy, advocacy, and community empowerment. The for-profit and nonprofit worked together under one mission: to serve vulnerable populations and advance health literacy across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

Then came 2017 — a turning point

I became ill. My own health journey forced me to live what I'd been teaching all along. I navigated my own diagnosis, my own disability, my own system. And through that personal experience, I deepened my understanding of what people really need when they're struggling.

That same year, I pursued my Professional  Designation in Disabilty Management as av Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC). My personal health crisis became my professional catalyst. I wasn't just talking about disability management and workplace navigation anymore — I was living it, learning it, mastering it. That credential completed my toolkit and expanded the populations I could serve: workers facing disability, return-to-work challenges, occupational health — the whole spectrum.

Here's what I want you to understand about advocacy in Canada

In 2011, when I founded my business, I dubbed myself a "health and social advocate." But that word — advocate — wasn't part of our healthcare vocabulary yet. Advocacy wasn't taught in nursing school. The healthcare system was built by professionals who believed they knew it all, and what they said went. You listened. You left. You didn't question.

When I launched my business in 2011, I searched Canada for a model to follow and found nothing. So I looked south to Florida, where patient advocacy was already established and thriving. I modeled my business after what was working there, brought it north through a culturally competent lens, and became Canada's leading resource for culturally competent health care advocacy.

For years, people asked me, "What does an advocate do?" The word wasn't mainstream. The concept didn't exist in Canadian healthcare. But I kept building, kept documenting, kept pioneering.

Fast forward to 2019: Canadian Health Advocates Inc. was founded, eight years after I started. By then, the field was finally recognizing what I'd already been doing.

In 2016, I documented this entire journey on my blog, citing a Vancouver Sun article confirming that healthcare was "behind the times on advocacy." That post became proof — timestamped proof — that I wasn't just talking. I was building, documenting, pioneering before anyone else in Canada was even using the word.

The evidence is clear My nursing education (1995-2002) had zero advocacy training. When I launched in 2011, Canada had no patient advocacy model — so I created one based on Florida's success. My 2016 blog post proves I was documenting this journey years before it became mainstream. And by 2019, the first documented health advocacy organization in Canada was founded — eight years after me.

I say this not to diminish others doing this work now. I say it because it matters. It matters that you know I've been fighting for this for 15 years. It matters that I modeled my business on what works. It matters that I didn't wait for the world to catch up. I built it anyway.

And now, in 2026, here we are

Introducing Health Care Shield Workbook

After 23 years of nursing, after founding a consulting business that pioneered patient advocacy in Canada, after creating a nonprofit, after navigating my own disability and earning my CRTWC credential, after witnessing what happens when people navigate healthcare alone — I've created something I wish existed when my sister was alive.

Health Care Shield is a practical guide to taking control of your health and navigating the healthcare system with confidence. Inside, you'll find:

✔ Family health history tracker

✔ Symptom tracking and pattern monitoring

✔ Medication and supplement log (12+ slots)

✔ Doctor visit preparation and notes pages

✔ Action items and follow-up tracking

✔ Healthcare team contact information

✔ Legal and end-of-life planning sections

✔ Space to document your story

But here's the thing: this workbook isn't just paper. It's your advocate on paper, yes, but I'm a phone call away too. Whether you need clarity on what your doctor said, help preparing for an appointment, or someone to talk through your health journey with, I'm here.

Health Care Shield is the tool. I'm the support. Together, we make sure your voice gets heard.

Whether you want to be proactive about your wellness, support an aging parent, navigate a new diagnosis, or take back control of your health — this workbook is for you.

"Lack of knowledge is the worst disease." That's what I've believed for 23 years. That's what drives everything I do.

Be the first to know when Health Care Shield launches: https://www.janursingservices.com/health-care-shield.html

 

Read more about advocacy in Canadian healthcare: https://janursing.blogspot.com/2016/02/healthcare-advocates-will-be-greatest.html

 

Thank you for following my journey. For believing in the power of advocacy. For letting me be your voice.

Your health. Your voice. Your advocate. ❤️

Michelle Smith 

Founder, JA Smith Consulting and Nursing Services

Founder, JA Nursing We Care Inc.

The Voice of the Community

10 REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT BE AT RISK FOR HAVING A STROKE

With June being Stroke awareness month.  let's go through  some facts  that will help  us change our lifestyle in order to prevent the incidence of stroke. I say we,  because  high blood pressure runs in my family leaving me with no option but to monitor this factor closely. Undiagnosed high blood pressure or high blood pressure that is not monitored appropriately can be your risk for having a stroke.  It is estimated that 1.6 million Canadians are living with heart disease or the effects of a stroke and six million Canadian adults, or one in five, have high blood pressure as cited by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives your brain of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause your brain cells to die.

A stroke may be caused by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may experience only a temporary disruption of blood flow to their brain (transient ischemic attack, or TIA).  Stroke is a leading cause of death and severe, long-term disability. This should be no surprise with the increase of  alternative medicine, wellness,  fitness coaches and products offering the optimal choice of changing your life expectancy.  It is slick marketing, relaxed regulations, and scientific illiteracy,  claiming the failures of  mainstream medicine? The most common narrative  that I hear when individuals are looking for answers is that they turn to alternative medicine  because mainstream medicine has failed them. But  not everyone can afford alternative medicine or personal  trainers, so let’s put you at an advantage by increasing your health care literacy.

As your health care advocate, I can’t explain how important it is to be literate about your health.   If you find yourself with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cholesterol, and  or high blood pressure  your risk for stroke increases as well.  In order to create awareness and make the necessary changes   we can’t ignore the fact that their are some risk factors that we can’t  change  such as  Age,  gender, race, or  family history. So what will you do with this information?  Generally as you  age this puts you at risk for health complications however poor or good  lifestyle options  can change this factor along with the right knowledge.  It  has been stated that women are more likely to suffer from strokes than men. Is this factor true? This is  cited by the heart and stroke foundation. Whether you are a man or a women being, aware of the signs or symptoms that your body is giving you, will be your best defence in seeking professional help. I am a firm believer in utilizing   our free healthcare system to investigate your concerns first before seeking alternative choices.  

It has been cited by the Heart and Stroke Foundation  that their are some risk factors that can be changed treated or controlled:

• High blood pressure — High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. Many people believe the effective treatment of high blood pressure is a key reason for the accelerated decline in the death rates for stroke.

• Cigarette smoking — In recent years, studies have shown cigarette smoking to be an important risk factor for stroke. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damage the cardiovascular system in many ways. The use of oral contraceptives combined with cigarette smoking greatly increases stroke risk.

• Diabetes mellitus — Diabetes is an independent risk factor for stroke.  Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight. This increases their risk even more. While diabetes is treatable, the presence of the disease still increases your risk of stroke.

• Carotid or other artery disease — The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. A carotid artery narrowed by fatty deposits from atherosclerosis (plaque buildups in artery walls) may become blocked by a blood clot. Carotid artery disease is also called carotid artery stenosis.  

• Peripheral artery disease is the narrowing of blood vessels carrying blood to leg and arm muscles. It's caused by fatty buildups of plaque in artery walls. People with peripheral artery disease have a higher risk of carotid artery disease, which raises their risk of stroke.

• Atrial fibrillation — This heart rhythm disorder raises the risk for stroke. The heart's upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively, which can let the blood pool and clot. If a clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, a stroke results.

• Other heart disease — People with coronary heart disease or heart failure have a higher risk of stroke than those with hearts that work normally. Dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), heart valve disease and some types of congenital heart defects also raise the risk of stroke.

• Sickle cell disease (also called sickle cell anemia) — This is a genetic disorder that mainly affects African-American and Hispanic children. "Sickled" red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body's tissues and organs. These cells also tend to stick to blood vessel walls, which can block arteries to the brain and cause a stroke.

• High blood cholesterol — People with high blood cholesterol have an increased risk for stroke. Also, it appears that low HDL (“good”) cholesterol is a risk factor for stroke in men, but more data are needed to verify its effect in women.

• Poor diet — Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels. Diets high in sodium (salt) can contribute to increased blood pressure. Diets with excess calories can contribute to obesity. Also, a diet containing five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day may reduce the risk of stroke (PDF opens in new window).

• Physical inactivity and obesity — Being inactive, obese or both can increase your risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. So go on a brisk walk, take the stairs, and do whatever you can to make your life more active. Try to get a total of at least 30 minutes of activity on most or all days.

If you are not sure about what you should be doing next  as your Healthcare advocate, I am available to help you navigate the health care system with ease.  

With my 15 years of  experience in Nursing, I have found that one’s ethnicity does play a role in their increased incidence of  chronic illness. Afro-Caribbeans and South East Asians and hispanics have been cited to be at  a greater risk than Caucasians for certain chronic illnesses and this is partly because these races  have a  higher risk  of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.  

This information is also to help you be at your best not only for yourself but for your entire family. Knowledge is power, only once applied. If  you have a person in your life that has high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol you should also be aware of the signs of stroke, this is important in helping someone you know receive medical attention sooner which can make a difference in the severity of the complications.

REMINDERS

• Check Blood pressure routinely know your numbers 120/80 is the norm but that may not be your norm

• If you have diabetes, monitor your own blood sugar routinely by having a accurate acucheck machine in your home. This will make you proactive in understanding right away if changes need to be made in your daily routine.

• If you have cholesterol make it a point to have routine blood work taken

Understanding both the medical and or preventative measures that is relevant to keeping you at your best will keep you on top of your healthcare needs. Lack of knowledge is the worst disease of all, let's work together to change this.

The most common health issues faced by employees fall into one of three categories: psycho social, physical environment and health risks, Michelle is also available to speak at your next event LEARN MORE

Sources 

https://www.accu-chek.ca/ca/en_CA/basics/whatisdiabetes.html

http://ontarioseniors.blogspot.ca/2013/06/strokes-are-silent-killer.html

http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/36/2/374.full

http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/UnderstandingRisk/Understanding-Stroke-Risk_UCM_308539_SubHomePage.jsp

"The Disease of a 1000 Faces” May Is Lupus Awareness Month

Original post-Jan 13-2014 

Hello all let's welcome  May with some knowledge. Last year I was asked to write about Lupus. The request came from a friend in Jamaica. Lupus has  become a disease that is affecting  individuals in our  own community more often than you know.  May is  Lupus awareness Month and like all illnesses, I will continue to share information and encourage awareness and support for those living with Lupus and other health issues. 


 No one knows for sure what is the cause of lupus, but  What we do know is that, in lupus, the immune system (the body’s defense against viruses and bacteria) is unable to tell the difference between intruders and the body’s own tissues. Trying to do its job, it attacks parts of the body, causing inflammation and creating the symptoms of lupus.Until science fully understands how the immune system works, the specific cause of lupus remains unknown. As your advocate is is very important for you to understand the necessity surrounding explaining your symptoms properly to your Doctor. Persistence is the key when navigating the health care system. It can change your health care outcomes significantly.  Symptoms are the only signs that Doctors have to work off of when trying to treat you or diagnose you. One of the common issues that I find is people trying to do it on their own.  Often I will hear, " I looked up  the information up on the internet" or "I'm going to see someone in alternative medicine like a naturopath" or even I will often here "oh my Friend told me" let's not forget the ever famous "I'll keep praying" but there is no  greater disesase than lack of Knowledge.   Lupus  symptoms vary from person to person and can include fatigue, joint pain, swelling, rashes, and fever. And since no two cases present exactly alike, lupus is notoriously misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, a virus, or something else. The condition can harm the skin, kidneys, heart, nervous system, blood cells, for this reason it is dubbed  "The Disease of a 1000 Faces.” 

Despite being a disease doctors often miss lupus  this is actually quite common.  According to  Health.com About 1.5 million people in the United States have it and it is estimated  that it affects over 1:1000 Canadians. The use of an  health care advocate can help you through any journey that involves  tackling the health care system. 

With lupus attaching itself to many ethic groups I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.  I myself used to think  that Lupus was  not a "Black Disease"  until I learned, that Rapper Trick Daddy and many other celebrities  suffer from Lupus.

“I went to the doctor like 12 years ago. He took all kinds of tests, because I was trying to get rid of what we call dry skin,” said Trick. “She did biopsies and blood tests and swab tests. She told me I have lupus. I am allergic highly to the sun, that’s my worst enemy. It’s like an AK-47 with a double clip on it. I could jeopardize kidney and liver failure from the treatment and the medication.” Trick daddy

Lupus is not contagious and is not related to AIDS or cancer. It belongs in the family of diseases that includes rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, and scleroderma. The most common type of lupus is SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). It is a complex and baffling condition that can target any tissue or organ of the body.  There are other types of lupus which mainly affect the skin, Discoid lupus typically causes sores on the face and scalp but can affect the skin anywhere on the body. It can also cause hair loss. People with discoid lupus are often sensitive to ultraviolet light.  Discoid lupus erythematosus lesion is seen  on the face of musician Seal.    A few individuals develop drug-induced lupus as a response to some medications used to treat other conditions. These symptoms disappear when the person stops taking the medication.

 Anyone can: women, men, children. Between the ages 15 and 45, eight times more women than men get lupus. In those under 15 and over 45, both sexes are affected equally.

When veteran rapper Snoop Dogg’s then 11-year-old daughter Cori was diagnosed with Lupus nearly 4 years ago, he and his wife, Shante Broadus, had never heard of the fatal disease that affects more than 1.5 million people.

“Shante and I cried 1,000 times” Snoop told People Magazine.

 "She's the toughest little thing I've ever met," the rapper says of his daughter. "She's on the honor roll, playing volleyball and softball, living life. She has all this joy. In the beginning, lupus was winning. But now Cori is."    They say 

Singer  Tony Braxton was diagnosed with Lupus 

Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians. For the treatment to be successful, it is important that the treatment should be started early in the disease. Early diagnosis is essential. 

DID YOU KNOW?

“Hispanics are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with Lupus, Hispanic women tend to develop symptoms at a much earlier age compared to other women. Recently, singer Selena Gomez made headlines when it was rumored she delayed tour events due to a flare-up of the condition.

“Selena has been going full throttle the past few years and her Lupus is really catching up with her right now,” a source told Popdust. “She knows that she needs to take some time to address the disease and look after herself better if she wants to live a full and healthy life.”

Gomez, who is 21-years-old, has been living with lupus since her late teens

Patients with Lupus should eat a diet low in sugars and carbohydrates, low in fat, high in fibre and with moderate amounts of protein. Patients who reduce their intake of red or white meat (including chicken) in favour of fish and plant proteins do better. Abundant Omega-3 supplements are advisable, 3,000mg being the minimum. Smoking is an absolute no. Exercise is encouraged for various reasons. Apart from the beneficial effects on the cardio-vascular system, it also counteracts the insomnia many Lupus patients  often suffer from.

Entertainer and TV personality Nick Cannon announced in 2012 that he has lupus.  Since then, he has chronicled his battle against lupus through his online videos, in the media and at personal appearances.  Nick served as the Grand Marshal for the Lupus Foundation of America's Washington, DC Walk to End Lupus Now event on April 19, 2014, and after participating in the walk, along with 4,000 other people, he sat down for a brief interview to discuss how he is living with lupus.

---

Such power full Words by Jalesa in Pride News Magazine   Find the full interview below
Pride News Magazine: What would you like to see happen? 
Jalesa Martin: In regards to Lupus awareness, I would definitely love to see more people learning about Lupus, not just as a disease, but also about the immense effects that it has on the body. When I tell people that I have lupus, I get one of two answers: “What is that?” or “But you don’t look sick!” One thing I would love for people to be informed about is that, Lupus is an invisible illness that does not always have external effects on the body.
Although we don’t look sick, many things are going on inside our bodies and causing us pain internally. I would also love for new treatments to be developed which have less long-term side effects on people with Lupus.

Marcia Boodie  on Instagram Supporting The Lupus walk for  Tashana last year 

                       Nick Canon says "Lupus Does Not have ME"

 Since lupus has many symptoms that requires  the use of many specialists, As your Health care advocate I  am available to help  support your journey.  Advocacy for your health care needs is the  mission of JA Nursing We Care Inc.  Your Knowledge about your illness, and the literacy needed to understand your symptoms is  vital to receiving the best care.

JA Nursing tip of the week always document your visits, carry an expert patient book (coming soon by JA Nursing Services) but until then get a  notebook and write everything down. All illnesses require you to be the most important member of your health Care Team

www.janursingservices.com

Join the growing number of individuals, communities, media and celebrities that Put on Purple™ for lupus awareness and tell people why. Getting your purple on is an easy way you can help the Lupus Foundation of America raise awareness of lupus and show support for those who are living with the disease.

SAVE THE DATE: Put On Purple on May 20, 2016

 Additional links

http://www.lupuscanada.org/lupus-questions/

 http://www.lupusontario.org/
   
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/14/toni-braxton-lupus-_n_7279258.html

 Find Lupus Ontario  on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lupus-Ontario/421580564611374


 http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/lupus/lupus_ff.asp

HEALTHCARE ADVOCATES WILL BE THE GREATEST SERVICE IN HEALTHCARE SAY'S A VANCOUVER SUN ARTICLE

Hey, it's your girl JA Nursing here,  On the search for more information to share with you I came across an article from the Vancouver Sun, Well, of course, I knew that we have been behind the times on advocacy. This article confirms this. As your Health Care advocate my goal has been to continue to give readers the information needed to make informed decisions about there health.  My  first in counter with the why's of our health care system occurred in 2002 when I lost my Sister to Cancer, she was only 36 with 6 children,  In 2002 I graduated and started my career as a Nurse.  Her death evoked so many questions in my mind that I continued my career on a serious search for answers. Now here we are in  2016, I  am the founder of an organization that focuses on Health Care Advocacy.  My continuous concerns for the health care  outcomes of individuals has increased especially  for individuals that have what we would call Social determinants of health. This concern  caused  me to be the founder JA Nursing We Care Inc.  a NonProfit organization with the mission to help increase the health literacy of individuals especially if they can not pay for my services offered by my Business JA Smith Consulting And Nursing Services.   I have always felt that if individuals had Health Care Advocates not only as a addition to helping out when sick but to work with them prior it would definitely be a asset to our congested health care system. But who am I kidding, That means that individuals would have to realize that  they are at risk for health challenges despite their active efforts to hire a fitness trainer or start a new diet routine. Well it, looks like our friends over in Vancouver have gotten the picture regarding the benefits of having a Patient Navigator. Let me clear up some terminology,  The names for this work may vary (patient advocate, navigator, health care advocate or consultant, medical advocate) but the basic idea is the same. We work with patients and families to help them at many points along the health care continuum: disease research, insurance problems, finding doctors, understanding treatment and care options, accompanying them to visits, serving as coach and quarterback of their health care team, working with family members and caregivers, mobilizing resources, managing medical paperwork and almost anything else you can think of.  My one world of advice, is to follow theses 5 questions when you are seeking to hire a Health Advocate such as myself.  5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU HIRE A ADVOCATE  
 







Patient Navigators: the greatest service in health care you've never heard of – until now  read a article  from the Vancouver Sun. The concept of private patient advocacy has taken on a life of its own. More people are learning that they can hire an advocate or navigator to help them with their medical problems, to overcome obstacles in the healthcare system or to find resources in the same way that people now seek out personal trainers, life coaches, financial advisors or other “guides” whose expertise can help them solve problems and avoid pitfalls."I sized it up as the greatest innovation nobody has heard of" said 

Pamela FayermanVerified account

@MedicineMatters

Canadian journalist cover

Pamela

 Fayerman, Vancouver Sun
for the past couple years my focus has been keeping up with our western counterparts, who have already figured  out the solution to our health care system equally known as The Maze.

In an article written by Pamela Ravermon  it stated that We constantly hear — and witness — a lot about what's WRONG with our health care system. But there ARE people working in health care who are forging ahead with changes like patient navigation that are making a difference to the patient experience. READ MORE ABOUT THIS SERIES


Benefits of Patient Navigation

What the Evidence Shows:

For patients

Better understanding of their disease and treatment plans.

Improved emotional and practical support.

Better able to cope (emotionally, psychologically, physically) with disease.

Improved diagnostic, surgical and other treatment waiting times.

Increased compliance with treatment plan.

Better preparation for medical appointments.

Increased satisfaction with care.

Potential improvement in treatment results.

For navigators and health care providers:

Rewarding work.

Improved collaboration and communication with others on the health care team.

Seeing health care from the perspective of patients.

Spotting problems and gaps in the health care system and then fixing them.

For health care system:

More coordination between health providers, hospitals and clinics.

Less duplication of tests.

Lower hospitalization rates.

Potential cost savings through improved patient care and results.

Retention of health care professionals because of job satisfaction.

Higher levels of patient satisfaction.

 The Vancouver Sun

Thank You, to our friends over at the  Vancouver Sun for looking into this topic. Health care advocacy should be more in the forefront
The benefits to patients, health care providers and the health care system



Imagine struggling with an  aging parent’s changing needs?  Could you use a navigator to help you find caregiver solutions?  One of the primary issues facing our community today. I believe that my coordination services are designed to help individuals and families manage care and communication needs. Working with a navigator will help you master the learning curve, find solutions and become your own best advocate.  
Our friends In Vancouver have gotten the memo 




http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2011/02/24/patient-navigators-the-greatest-service-in-health-care-youve-never-heard-of-until-now/


Are you Ready to get started? Contact us for a complimentary, 10-minute consultation.

This has been watching out for your health with  Michelle Smith your Health and Social Advocate.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA Get The Facts

Hi It's your Girl JA Nursing here,  Hope all is well?   In past weeks, I have had several questions about  Medical Marijuana.  I have always been an advocate for Medical Marijuana not because I smoke it  but, because I have been able to see the  benefits it has had for many.   Do I smoke  weed, The answer is NO but if  I had a condition that I could substitute narcotics for medical marijuana  then I guess I would be a User.  I  have also  discussed this topic  on  CHRY 105.5fm The Wizology show because I know that for most people getting access to medical Marijuana can be difficult. The new or updated policies reflect concerns that have been expressed by some in the medical community including the absence of scientific evidence on the benefits of medical marijuana, and the challenging role being given to physicians and other healthcare providers when a patient requests access to medical marijuana. As your health care  Advocate,  I am  here  to assist you get the right care and to make the right choices.
 
 In recent weeks medical Marijuana has been trending as a big discussion  especially with most recent talks by   Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says it "makes a lot of sense" to use the LCBO to sell marijuana after the federal government legalizes sale of the drug. 
I can't say that I agree with that choice but of course like anything else we will have to see how this plays out.
Especially with the new Liberal Party website that say's
We will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana.
Canada’s current system of marijuana prohibition does not work. It does not prevent young people from using marijuana and too many Canadians end up with criminal records for possessing small amounts of the drug.
Arresting and prosecuting these offenses is expensive for our criminal justice system. It traps too many Canadians in the criminal justice system for minor, non-violent offenses. At the same time, the proceeds from the illegal drug trade support organized crime and greater threats to public safety, like human trafficking and hard drugs.
To ensure that we keep marijuana out of the hands of children, and the profits out of the hands of criminals, we will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana.
We will remove marijuana consumption and incidental possession from the Criminal Code, and create new, stronger laws to punish more severely those who provide it to minors, those who operate a motor vehicle while under its influence, and those who sell it outside of the new regulatory framework.


At this point, marijuana is legal for medical use in Canada.  To legalize or not to legalize that has been the question. The marijuana plant contains chemicals that may help treat a range of illnesses or symptoms. The 2 main  chemicals  in Marijuana , Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) and for medical purposes different percentages of both TCH and CBD will be used. As opposed to street Weed (marijuana) their is no control over what chemicals are used in the marijuana composition, which  for years has  raised concerns.  The debate,  on marijuana is that unlike the Weed (Sess)  grown in  Caribbean countries which for years have been ruled the healer of all ailments this new Marijuana or Hydro Marijuana may have chemicals that can cause undesirable effects for many.  legalizing marijuana vs medial marijuana will always be a debate. Be aware that all cannabinoids (THC, CBD, and beyond) have a medical benefit, and it’s important to research which strains contain which levels of cannabinoids, and what cannabinoids are best suited for the particular conditions you are trying to treat. 
 There has always been the myth regarding Marijuana and mental illness, however what many don't understand is that the use  of any street  drugs can cause a increased occurrence of Mental Illness, for that reason  it’s pretty good advice that if you have risk factors for mental illness, you should be careful about using recreational drugs.

For those of you who have been curious here goes
The law about medical marijuana isn't always so easy and straightforward. We rely on the regulations set by the Government of Canada to guide us. The best and most accurate information can be found in Health Canada's Law Enforcement Issues.
If you are a Canadian citizen, you can legally obtain your medication by registering your medical document with a Licensed Producer that is authorized by Health Canada's Medical for Marijuana Purposes Regulations (MMPR). Thousands of Canadians are Federally licensed to possess and use medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is a proven safe, virtually side effect-free alternative to all pharmaceuticals. The only way to legally protect yourself is through Health Canada’s Marijuana for  Medical Purpose Regulations (MMPR) which came into effect on March 31, 2014.(MMPR). For the steps required to transition to the new MMPR visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/access-acceder-eng.php. . The MMPR treats marijuana as much as possible like any other narcotic used for medical purposes by creating conditions for a new, commercial industry that is responsible for its production and distribution. According to Health Canada, the regulations "will provide access to quality-controlled marijuana for medical purposes, produced under secure and sanitary conditions, to those Canadians who need it, while strengthening the safety of Canadian communities. In addition, the new regulations will also enable more choices of marijuana strains and licensed, commercial suppliers."

 One of the common myths about medical marijuana is  that it has to  be smoked, however vaporization has become recognized as the safest and most effective medical cannabis delivery method currently available. Vaporization is different from smoking as it is achieved by heating the cannabis to a temperature that vaporizes, but does not burn the cannabinoids, virtually eliminating the health risks associated with smoking.   Cannabis indica, cannabis sativa, cannabis americanus, Indian hemp and marijuana (or marihuana) all refer to the same plant.
Cannabis is used throughout the world for diverse purposes and has a long history including  many therapeutic properties that has been known to help many.

Medical marijuana users claim the drug helps relieve pain and suppress nausea — the two main reasons it's often used to relieve the side effects of chemotherapy

 
According to Health Canada, evidence suggests that medical marijuana may be useful in some of the following therapeutic situations: 

• Palliative Care
• Cancer 
• Chronic Pain
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Wasting Syndrome
• Loss of Appetite
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
•  ALS
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia, 
• Arthritis (RA or OA)
• Glaucoma
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and 
• Depression
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• HIV/AIDS 

  

  There is no specific medical requirement for patients to possess marijuana for medical purposes but new guidelines for doctors advises that the patients be over 25 years old. However, in view of the fact that use of marijuana for other than medical purposes is prohibited under Canadian Federal law, all patients who wish to be legal medical users must be able to present documented evidence of a medical condition which warrants use of marijuana.  Under the regulations, the patient must consult with a prescribed healthcare practitioner (i.e., a physician or a qualified nurse practitioner) and obtain a signed "medical document," which is similar to a prescription. The patient can then get the marijuana by submitting the medical document directly to a licensed commercial producer.
This has been watching out for your health With Michelle Smith Your Health and Social Advocate


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Sources
https://www.liberal.ca/realchange/marijuana/ 
 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/wynne-marijuana-lcbo-1.3364158

 http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/access-acceder-eng.php

http://medicalmarijuana.ca/learning-center/marijuana-laws
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marihuana_for_Medical_Purposes_Regulations