A healthier tomorrow starts today

The Yukon Healthy Living Program (YHLP) is a patient-centred, collaborative care team. It offers a variety of programs and services for Yukoners living with chronic health conditions. Choose which programs and services will help you live well and make plans for the future.

All programs and services are free and available by self-referral to Yukoners age 18 and older. We recommend you speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about signing up.

Unsure where to start or want to sign up for a program? Contact us, email [email protected] or phone 867-667-8733 extension. Phone toll free in the Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 873.

Nurse educator support

Work with a chronic conditions nurse educator (CCNE) to better understand your chronic condition, or your risk of developing a chronic condition. They can help you learn how best to manage it. The nurse educator will work with you and your care provider to determine a care plan that helps you achieve your goals and live well.

This service includes:

• health screening to identify clients who are at risk of developing a chronic condition;
• client and caregiver education;
• lifestyle change support and care-planning;
• guideline care support;
• medication reviews;
• vital signs such as
  • blood pressure;
  • oxygen;
  • heart rate;
  • height; and
  • weight.
• reviewing and ordering condition-specific blood work;
• foot checks; and
• referral to additional services.

We'll notify your primary care provider when you self-refer for this service.

Exercise services 

Exercise services are available to all Yukoners living with 1 or more chronic conditions. After an initial assessment, the clinical exercise specialist will:

• recommend which exercise services are available; and
• outline strategies that’ll help improve your fitness and overall health.

This service includes:

• risk screening and activity plan development (summaries are shared with your primary care provider);
• supervised group exercise classes (available at the Canada Games Centre and at the chronic conditions program facility’s gym);
• virtual exercise classes; and
• exercise routine development along with education and recommendations on how to stay safe while being active and exercising.

We'll notify your primary care provider when you self-refer for this service.

Pulmonary rehabilitation 

In pulmonary rehabilitation, you'll learn skills to effectively manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other chronic lung conditions such as:

• bronchitis;
• emphysema;
• asthma; and
• pulmonary fibrosis.

This program includes:

• 1-on-1 assessment with a registered nurse and clinical exercise specialist;
• support of a certified respiratory educator (CRE);
• group education sessions that help you learn how to monitor and manage your condition;
• information on local support resources; and
• group supervised exercise program to help build and maintain physical fitness and long-term independence.

We'll notify your primary care provider when you self-refer for this service.

If you cannot attend sessions in Whitehorse, you can access this support from the comfort of your home. You do not need a computer or internet access.

Home health monitoring

This free service is available in all Yukon communities for Yukoners living with chronic health conditions. This tool is ideal for people interested in improved self-management of their health condition. You’ll be provided with an easy-to-use tablet with health monitoring equipment you can use in your home. 

If you participate, you’ll:

• improve your understanding of your health condition;
• learn how it affects your day-to-day activities; and
• learn how best to manage your symptoms.

This service will:

• provide you with greater confidence and security to live independently;
• give peace of mind to your caregivers; and
• keep your primary care providers updated with your health status.

This service is not:

• intended to replace or replicate primary care services; or
• to be used as an emergency response system.

We'll notify your primary care provider when you self-refer for this service.

Group education and support programs

Program availability may change. Visit the calendar or email [email protected] for current programming.

Getting Started: What Is Pre-Diabetes?

New diagnosis of pre-diabetes? Have you been told you’re at risk of developing diabetes? Join this program with a registered nurse who’ll help you better understand:

• pre-diabetes;
• diabetes;
• risk factors;
• diagnosis; and
• the important management strategies for a healthy life.

Diabetes Wellness Program

Through this 2-part workshop you'll:

• learn from a variety of diabetes specialists such as:
  • dietitians;
  • nurses;
  • pharmacists; and
  • exercise specialists;
• connect with others living with diabetes; and
• take action with practical tips for healthy eating, medication management and physical activity.

Diabetes Management – Insulin 101

Are you using or discussing the use of insulin as part of your diabetes management? Join us for this 2-hour session to better understand the safe and effective use of various types of insulin. By participating you’ll:

• increase your confidence in insulin use;
• connect with peers; and
• get answers from a diabetes specialist.

We recommend that participants already have basic diabetes knowledge or have participated in the Diabetes Wellness Program.

Next Level 'Carb Counting' for Diabetes Management

Our registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator can show you how to identify and balance your carbohydrate intake to improve your blood sugar control in this 2 to 3 hour workshop.

We recommend that participants already have basic diabetes knowledge or have participated in the Diabetes Wellness Program.

Movement Matters

A clinical exercise specialist will highlight the benefits and importance of physical activity when you're living with a chronic condition. This session will help you:

• identify your barriers to physical activity; and
• develop an achievable action plan that can further your health goals.

Your Health Your Way

This 6-week, online program partnered with self-management B.C., will help people who have ongoing or are at risk of developing chronic condition:

• better manage your symptoms;
• learn self-management skills; and  
• reach goals by taking small steps and discover tips to manage day-to-day activities.

You’ll also receive support from others with long-term health concerns and be able to share your experiences. 

Living Well With Heart Failure

Are you living with heart failure or supporting someone who is? Join a registered nurse, dietitian and pharmacist for this 2 to 3 hours group education session on heart failure management. The presenters will outline what heart failure is and how you can manage it through:

• self-monitoring;
• medications;
• healthy eating; and
• other healthy lifestyle practices.

Making Sense of Pain

A self-management program developed with PainBC designed for people living with chronic pain. This 10-week workshop will provide participants opportunities to learn about pain through:

• the various factors that can cause or make pain worse; and
• simple strategies that can help participants better manage pain in everyday life. 

Get access to training opportunities to learn more about chronic disease management. Email [email protected] for more information, to share your ideas or to be added to our care provider distribution list.

Enhance how you work with primary care and allied health care providers to help your patients access the best care possible.

• Learn about the home care program
• Find information about long-term care in the Yukon
• Get help to quit smoking
• TrueNorth Respiratory
• Clinical Nutrition Services
• Get help with costs if you have a chronic disease or disability

Resources for health care providers

• Canadian Thoracic Society guidelines
• Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice guidelines
• Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines
• Obesity Canada guidelines

Related referral forms and downloads

• Yukon Healthy Living Program referral form
• Home health monitoring referral form
• Diabetes medication booklet, 3rd edition
• Spirometry referral form – TrueNorth Respiratory
• Home oxygen referral form – TrueNorth Respiratory
• Sleep Study referral form – Sleep Therapeutics 

Contact

For more information, email [email protected] or phone 867-667-8733, toll-free in Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 8733.