The Good Life with Arthritis program (GLAD) is an evidence-based program for the treatment and management of symptoms related to hip and knee osteoarthritis. It is designed to provide you with the tools and resources you need to manage your arthritis and improve your overall quality of life.

The program begins with two education sessions led by a trained facilitator. These sessions cover topics such as:

• A review of arthritis
• Pain management strategies
• Discussion of treatment options to manage arthritis
• Strategies to help you manage your day to day activities

The program includes 12 in-person group based exercise classes over 6 weeks led by trained and experienced clinicians. Participants also have the chance to connect with other individuals with arthritis and share their experiences and tips for managing their condition.

The Good Life with Arthritis (GLAD) program can help you by providing strategies for managing arthritis pain and improving overall quality of life. It includes information on safe and effective exercise for individuals with arthritis, including stretching and strengthening exercises, which can help to reduce pain, improve joint function, and increase overall physical health and fitness.

The GLAD program runs twice a week for six weeks. The first week of the program begins with two education classes led by a trained clinician.

The first treatment session will include an assessment of your hip or knee by a GLAD certified therapist. After your assessment the therapist will instruct you on specific exercises that can be performed safely.

Each session is 60 minutes in duration and conducted in a group format. Each session will involve a gentle and gradual exercise program where the therapist will monitor your technique, provide individualized feedback and progress your activity depending on your symptoms.

GLAD sessions are designed to be interactive, engaging, and empowering. By participating in the program, you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to effectively manage your arthritis and improve overall quality of life.

If you have recovered from your initial COVID infection but continue to experience ongoing symptoms you may benefit from rehabilitation for symptoms related to a long COVID-19 diagnosis. A COVID infection can cause a wide range of symptoms which may persist for weeks or months following the initial infection and may impact your daily activities. Therapy can include a combination of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and or mental health services to help you recover from the effects of the illness. The team will work together to develop a personalized rehabilitation plan to meet your unique needs and goals.

Therapy for long COVID can help you to improve your function and to teach you strategies to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. The team will work with you determine a safe level of activity.

Therapy for long COVID may include:

• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Cardiovascular exercise to improve energy and endurance
• Breathing exercises to improve chest mobility
• Mobilization to improve stiffness
• Planning and pacing strategies to improve activity tolerance
• Education to assist with improving activity tolerance, managing fatigue, sleep, breathing, improving brain fog, attention and concentration
• Strategies for managing emotional regulation.

Each person’s experience is unique and the team will work with you to address your unique goals.

The treatment for long COVID can involve a multidisciplinary approach leveraging a team of healthcare professionals working together to address wide-ranging symptoms. A multidisciplinary team may include a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and/or a mental health clinician.

Physiotherapy can help with physical symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and decreased mobility. Prior to starting any treatment, the physiotherapist will conduct a detailed assessment to ensure your safety and carefully monitor your response to activity.  Physiotherapists can guide you in determining a safe level of activity, teach you strategies to help with breathing, use manual therapy to help with any joint stiffness, and use other techniques to help improve strength, endurance, and mobility, to reduce persistent symptoms.

Occupational therapy can help you recover their ability to perform daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and cooking and suggest adaptive equipment if needed. The team can work with you to develop strategies for improving memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills to help you manage cognitive symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.

A mental health clinician can support you to manage the emotional and psychological effects of long COVID-19, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Our therapists can provide tools and strategies to successfully manage your symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

A pain program is a comprehensive approach to treating ongoing pain that lasts for longer than 12 weeks. Ongoing or chronic pain can impact physical function, emotional well-being, and quality of life. The goal of a pain program is to help you learn to manage your pain and improve your overall health and quality of life by learning how to manage your symptoms while gradually increasing your activity.

Participating in a pain program can help you manage your pain in several ways. The program can help identify and manage pain triggers and develop coping strategies to reduce pain intensity and frequency.  Treatment includes a graduated program designed to gently improve your physical function and activity tolerance to increase independence in daily activities.  In addition to physical management, it is helpful to work with a mental health clinician to manage the emotional and psychological impact of chronic pain, such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

Participating in a pain program can help you develop the tools and strategies needed to manage your painful condition and improve your quality of life.

Trillium Health Partners, Insight Health Solutions Wellness and Rehabilitation (IHSWR) has partnered with Peel Region Paramedic Services (PRPS) to offer expedited access to psychological assessment and treatment services to staff employed by Peel Region Paramedic Services. Assessment and treatment services are being offered by a team of psychologists and mental health clinicians with experience working with first responders.