News Archive

First Health Care has developed a product known as “Eldercare Select” which IBAO believes to be an invaluable addition to any employee group health benefits program, particularly in the current climate of an aging population.   Eldercare is the new fact of life for Canadians and their families. Today, employees with demanding careers, find themselves balancing work, family and eldercare responsibilities. Eldercare Select is available to corporations across Canada and provides employees with meaningful services to help balance work and family life in times of need. To learn more about this new program and how it can be incorporated into your group insurance benefits plan, call Lisa Nudelman, Director of Sales and Marketing at 1-877-305-9551 ext. 228 or Rosanna Keys, Manager, Human Resources at ext. 231.

Featured on June 15, 2011

On behalf of First Health Care and the Board of Directors, I would like to convey my congratulations and best wishes to all of our great nursing staff during Nursing Week 2011 – May 9-15.This year, National Nursing Week recognizes nurses and their dedication to patient care and the health-care system.  Everyday a First Health Care nurse makes a difference in someone’s life. From direct client care, to support, and education, our nurses are there to assist our many clients and staff.  You are truly the heart and soul of health care.I would like to personally thank all of our Nurses for making First Health Care the caring organization we are today. Gail Giordani, VP Health Care

Featured on May 13, 2011

First Health Care is proud to work with the Toronto Public Health and looks forward to collaboratively working towards a vision of "a healthy city where all people enjoy the highest level of health and well being".

Featured on September 9, 2010

At First Health Care we are proud of your hard work, dedication and professionalism you provide to individuals, families and communities every day.                  

Thank you for making us the caring organization we are. We wish you all the very best for Nurses Week.

Gail Giordani

VP Health Care Services

Featured on May 10, 2010

To learn more about our Eldercare Solutions and how we can help bring peace of mind to your employees, call Lisa Nudelman, Director of Sales and Marketing at (905) 305-9551 ext. 228.

Featured on April 13, 2010

Through the Canadian Red Cross we can provide the Haitian people with clean water, food and medical supplies. To find out more about our initiatives and to see how you can support our donations call (905) 305-9551. You can also make individual donations to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Fund by visiting www.redcross.ca/helpnow or by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111. Cheques should be earmarked Haiti Earthquake.

Featured on April 12, 2010

We will be providing information on our home care services and introducing FIRSTWatch, a personal medical monitoring system.

Click here to visit the Zoomer Show website.

Click here to print your FREE admission to the Zoomer Show now, courtesy of First Health Care.

Featured on October 27, 2009

We have been encouraged by E-Health Ontario to plan for a second wave of pH1N1, in addition to the annual impacts of seasonal influenza.  To find out more information please contact us at care@firsthealthcare.ca or 905-305-9551/1-877-305-9551 to book your fall/winter immunization clinic.

Featured on August 20, 2009

As a member of our First Health Advantage Network, Canadian Home Care Providers can receive referrals directly from First Health Care for clients in their service areas. To become a network member call Rosanna Keys, CHRP, Manager, Human Resources at 1-877-305-9551 ext. 231. To access Home and Health Care Services for loved ones across Canada or to launch an Employer Sponsored Service for your employees, call Lisa Nudelman, Director of Sales and Marketing at 1-877-305-9551 ext. 228.

Featured on May 25, 2009

The theme of this year's National Nursing Week - Nursing: You Can't Live Without It! - reflects the value of the profession to the health system and to our clients at First Health Care.   

I am pleased to recognize the achievements and contributions that our nurses have made throughout the organization. From client care, support, education and friendship, our nurses are there to assist our many clients in their homes, facilities, and corporations throughout Ontario.

I would like to personally thank all of our Nurses for making First Health Care the caring organization that we are today.

Gail GiordaniVP Health Care Services 

Featured on May 15, 2009

FIRST Health Care has an emergency and disaster planning protocol that is in accordance with the criteria set out by Accreditation Canada and The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at any time.  If you are experiencing any of the flu-like symptoms and have recently traveled to Mexico or have been in contact with anyone who has been to Mexico recently, please contact your physician or TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.  If you are a client or staff member of FIRST Health Care, please notify our office immediately so that we can take the proper precautions.  For more information on H1N1and infection control, please visit www.health.gov.on.ca 

Featured on May 13, 2009

You’re invited to an Exclusive Elder Care Event Hosted by Kids & Company and First Health Care

Tuesday, September 18, 2007  11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (luncheon)The Toronto Board of Trade1 First Canadian Place, Adelaide Street Entrance West Ballroom (4^th Floor)

 Hear renowned Elder Care Specialist: Maureen Osis.

Find out how to balance the competing demands of children, work and your aging parents. Our guest speaker, Maureen Osis has 30 years of Gerontological Nursing and is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist who counsels older adults and their families. Co-author of: Your Aging Parent: Arriving at Shared Solutions for Housing, Health & Relationships, Maureen is also the co-founder of ElderWise Inc. – Canada's  "go to" place for mid-life adults and their aging parents. A renowned Elder Care Specialist, she is a regular guest on television and radio programs that discuss aging and family dynamics. 

Learn about a NEW Elder Care program for employees

Come learn about Kids & Company’s new Elder Care Program – in partnership with First Health Care – designed to support employees to better juggle the demands of work and caring for their aging parents. Whether you’re caring for a parent who is dealing with a terminal illness, recovering from an operation or simply needs assistance to live at home independently, you’ll find out how to access flexible, high-quality health care services to meet your loved ones’ specific needs – all at an exclusive discounted rate exclusive to Kids & Company members.

Get answers to your Elder Care questions.

Take advantage of the opportunity to speak with professionals from Heart & Stroke, Alzheimer’s Society, Falls & Mobility Network and Parkinson’s Society. These organizations will be on hand to provide you with valuable information about Elder Care issues and to tell you what resources are available to you and your aging parents.

 For more information or to RSVP: smyers@firsthealthcare.ca, or call (416) 42 FIRST, ext 18.

Featured on March 31, 2009

When we become ill, the sickness dominates our thoughts. We think: Oh no, what will I do now? Taking some time to plan how you want to be cared for when you are sick, recovering from surgery or waiting for long term care placement is where First Health Care can make a big difference. If you currently need support, it's not too late. We will customize a care plan based on your timelines, on your requests and to meet your unique needs. Call today and plan it FIRST! 

Featured on March 31, 2009

The Medicine Shoppe format is focused completely on helping people care for their health. We provide our customers with a personal touch in terms of service;providing them with the high level of care, compassion, and attention they require and deserve.

Because this focus is strictly on pharmacy, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacists are able to empower their customers to take charge of their health as well as the health of their families. Our philosophy is simple: Medicine Shoppe Pharmacists are accessible, and take the time to talk to customers—to truly understand their health history and goals. Knowing our customers allows tailoring recommendations to ensure they obtain the maximum benefit from their medication and other health regimens.

In Ontario, Medicine Shoppe Canada Inc. has begun a preferred providership with First Health Care Services of Canada Inc., as a tangible example of our total health focus. Medicine Shoppe has a long history of working with nurses to provide health education, now First Health Care brings a unique attribute. The goal is to merge the expertise in marketing and corporate wellness programming of First Health Care, an accredited home health care organization with the Medicine Shoppe pharmacies to create a more powerful brand awareness and customer loyalty. A variety of health screenings and information days will be provided. Topics for these events will include: skin cancer awareness, colorectal screening, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, body mass, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and many others. The events are open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend as they will be educated on a variety of common – and not so common - health concerns.

In addition to health screenings, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacists offer a number of valuable Medicine Shoppe programs, including the Rexall brand private label products, the Shoppe Rewards loyalty program, the Accu-Pak service for people on three or more medications, and the LifeSafe medical information program.

Featured on March 24, 2009

One Mail Partnered offers a host of email services and features designed to specifically allow Ontario's health care professionals to exchange personal health information. As a First Health Care client, your health care related information is being securely accessed and shared as required through the system. In the age of health care privacy and information sharing, First Health Care is among the leaders. For more information on this program, visit www.ehealthontario.on.ca.

Featured on February 24, 2009

Beginning March 2009, First Health Care will be working with pharmacies across Ontario, providing Health and Wellness education to the adult population on skin cancer awareness, colorectal screening, blood pressure and glucose monitoring to name a few areas of interest. The Medicine Shoppe currently has 39 stores across the province and is in the process of adding more. First Health Care is recruiting Corporate Health & Wellness Nurses to join our Health Care Teams!

Featured on February 13, 2009

The Career Directory is the guide to Canada's best employers for new graduates. We have been featured as an employer who offers attractive benefits and great advancement opportunities for younger workers.

Featured on December 4, 2008

First Health Care offers training to all its nurses through our partnership with Bloorview MacMillan Centre in Toronto.  We are a longstanding member of the ABI Association and work with Workplace Safety & Insurance Board on their cases.  We would like to thank all those who attended the conferences and came to visit us at our booth. 

Featured on November 20, 2008

Visit First Health Care in the Health & Wellness Lounge for a free blood pressure check through our partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation or talk to one of our skilled nurses about home care options for you and your loved ones. Also, just in time for the cold season, flu shots will be provided to all attendees. First Health Care nurses will be providing the flu shots for free through our exclusive Agreement with Toronto Public Health. The ASPIRIN® 81mg ZoomerShow is Toronto’s First Consumer Show & Lifestyle Expo for men and women 45plus. Sample, learn, discover and play as over 150 Exhibitors provide information, products, services, advice, lots of great giveaways, and scintillating free entertainment.

Experience the ASPIRIN® 81mg Zoomer Fashion show with Canada’s leading designers – free with your ticket.

See, hear and meet cast members from The Sound Of Music, Dirty Dancing, A Chorus Line and We Will Rock You – free with your ticket

Relax in the Zoomer Lounge. 

We look forward to seeing you at the show! Sincerely, Lisa NudelmanDirector of Sales and Marketing  

Featured on October 29, 2008

We are located on the North East Corner of Woodbine and Steeles, just minutes off HWY 401, 407, 7 and 404.

Our Address is:

7030 Woodbine Avenue, Unit #1, Markham, Ontario, L3R 6G2

We look forward to meeting you!

Featured on July 3, 2008

Our new address is 7030 Woodbine Avenue, Suite #102, Markham, Ontario, L3R 6G1. We are located just minutes off Hwy 404, Hwy 407 and Hwy 7, on the North West corner of Woodbine and Steeles.

Featured on May 29, 2008

A message to our nurses: 

May 12, 2008

National Nursing week, from May 12-16, offers us an opportunity to celebrate and thank our many nurses who are committed to providing Excellence in Nursing.

I am pleased to recognize the achievements and contributions that our nurses have made throughout the organization. From client care, support, education and friendship, our nurses are there to assist our many clients in their homes, facilities, and corporations throughout Ontario.

I would like to personally thank all of our Nurses for making First Health Care the caring organization that we are.

Gail GiordaniVP Health Care Services 

Featured on May 13, 2008

This new system is based on telephone technology which will link  your home care worker directly to our office. Call Client Services at ext. 0 for more details.

Featured on April 22, 2008

First Health Care Services of Canada Inc.

Carlton University Campus - CTTC Bldg #29, 2nd Level

1125 Colonel By Drive, Suite 2900

Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5R1

Featured on March 31, 2008

For more infomation call Client Services at extension 0 or Human Resources at ext. 10.

Featured on February 19, 2008

Greg Penney brings to First Health Care over 17 years of health care experience. His extensive experience in marketing, operations, planning, budgeting, business development, financial management, human resources and team leadership is a recognized and valuable asset to First Health Care and to our clients.

Welcome Greg!

Featured on January 9, 2008

First Health Care awarded contract by the City of Toronto!

First Health Care is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a contract by the City of Toronto to assist the City of Toronto Public Health in their Fall Influenza Program, Grade 7 Hepatitis B and Meningitis C Vaccination Program and the new Grade 8 HPV Program.  Our Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses will administer and set-up clinics in various school locations as well as shopping malls and Homes for the Aged.

                                                                                                                                       Toronto Public Health is the largest health unit in Canada and works to promote, protect and enhance the health of all communities and individuals that live, work or play in the City of Toronto.  First Health Care is proud to be the chosen provider for the City of  Toronto Public Health programs.

Featured on September 20, 2007

Sunday, June 3rd marked the 20th anniversary of the Toronto Ride for Heart & Stroke.  It was a great day, a wonderful event and a huge fundraiser. 

However, for my family and me, the day meant so much more.  Our inspiration came from the courage and determination of Kevin Duffy – my older brother and a stroke survivor.  It’s hard to describe the pride and emotion our family felt as we cheered Kevin on at the finish line. 

Kevin is a hero for me – in a day and age where heroes are hard to find.   

Most importantly, Kevin’s team raised close to $130,000 for stroke recovery – thanks to your generous donation.   

Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and for your support.   

Sincerely,  

Paul Duffy, President

Featured on June 12, 2007

On Sunday, June 3^rd I’ll be participating in the Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart in Toronto. This isn’t just any ride for me.  This cause is very personal.  In July of 2004, my older brother, Kevin Duffy, suffered a stroke at the age of 44.  After spending three weeks in ICU and another four months in the hospital, he began his long journey to regain his life.  With the support of his wife, children and other family members and friends, he’s spent thousands of hours in speech therapy and physiotherapy.  It's working.  He’s making progress every day.   

Kevin’s story is one of phenomenal courage and dedication as he relentlessly focuses on stroke recovery.  But he isn’t stopping there.  On June 3^rd, Kevin will also be taking part in the Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart in Toronto.  He’ll be riding his customized bike and leading the "Kevin Duffy Ride for Stroke Recovery".  He’s already training hard to get ready for the ride.  And while Kevin’s story is encouraging, there are many others whose stories are less positive.

So June 3^rd will be a proud and emotional day for me as I join Kevin’s team.  His fundraising goal is $50,000 for the ride and we’re asking colleagues and partner organizations to support us.  

First Health Care will be donating a portion of all proceeds for the month of May to support Kevin’s ride. I’m hoping that you will support the Heart & Stroke Foundation.  I know that it will make a difference in the lives of those affected by stroke. 

Sincerely,

Paul Duffy, President

First Health Care Services of Canada Inc.

Secure online donations can be made with your credit card and an electronic tax receipt will be emailed to you.  For further details, please go to the Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart website at www.rideforheart.ca and visit Kevin’s personal web-page.  As well, you can copy and paste the following link into your browser to go directly to Kevin’s donation page.

Featured on May 15, 2007

We at Firstaff Health Care Services Inc., are proud to have celebrated our 10^th anniversary this past year. We have provided over 1 million hours of quality Nursing Care, Attendant Care, Rehabilitation, Supplemental Staffing and Corporate Wellness Services to people in our communities throughout Ontario since 1996.

As a corporation, we understand that our name and our brand are important representations of who we are, and what we believe. As we position ourselves in the changing landscape of Professional Health Care, we want to make sure that our name reflects our values; caring, reliable, dedicated, and professional. We also want to ensure it represents our ongoing dedication to the accreditation standards in the health care industry. We invite you to celebrate with us, and embrace our new name that better reflects the company.

 First Health Care Services of Canada Inc. 

We at First Health Care, are truly excited to be launching our new name and logo. We also have a new interactive web site, new email addresses, and a new easy to remember local Toronto phone number in addition to our existing contact coordinates. We continue to be here for you, as we together, provide quality care to our clients. 

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to building on the relationships that we have established through the years.

Featured on April 4, 2007

Thank you for visiting our booth at the Health Careers Interaction, on February 16^th and 17^th. We are pleased to have met so many Health Care Professionals from across the GTA.  

We are also pleased to congratulate Jo Anne Ouijani, winner of the First Health Care iPod Nano. 

 First Health Care is a CCHSA accredited, leading provider of Personal Home Health Care, Institutional Staffing in hospitals and long term care facilities, and Corporate Wellness Services to clients throughout Ontario. First Health Care employs an elite team of dedicated and reliable professionals to provide quality care to our clients. By joining our team, you will receive: 

§   Excellent Pay Rates, Bonus’ and Incentives

§   Flexible self-scheduling, Full or Part Time employment

§   Continuous Education

§   Flexible Benefit & Investment Plans

§   First Health Advantage Program 

Call today to book your interview We look forward to helping you reach your career goals through our orientation and training programs and to place you within Nursing Environments of your choice! 

Featured on March 12, 2007

No Two People are exactly the same; No Two Brain Injuries are exactly the same

By Tracie Shaw B.Sc., B. Sc. OT, Supervisor, Occupational Therapy Services,

It’s hard to believe that all our cognitive skills and functions are associated with one single, little muscle, weighing only 3 pounds: the brain! With its billions of nerves, cells and blood vessels, the brain works by inter-relating all of its component parts. It’s fascinating to think that no two brains ever inter-relate their parts in exactly the same way. As individuals, no two brains are exactly the same.

If you have ever handled a brain injury case, you are well aware just how inter-related these functions are because injury to a specific location of the brain may extend to many different parts of the brain. Treating brain injury often seems as complex as the brain itself!  Having as much knowledge as possible about how brain injury is assessed and the anatomy of the brain can provide a solid foundation as the treatment of each brain injury client is as unique as the individual him/herself!

The complex nature of brain injury necessitates the use of a range of assessment techniques, each appropriate for different circumstances:

·         Location of the lesion: all of our cognitive skills and functions are associated with different areas of the brain. Accordingly, depending on the location of the lesion, some assumptions can be made about the nature of the problems that your client may experience.

·         Observation: because the brain functions by inter-relating its component parts, a lot can be learned by observing your client’s day-to-day activities because his/her abilities and inabilities provide insight into the nature of the injury.

A CT Scan creates computerized images of a combination of soft tissue, bone and blood vessels. For example, conventional x-ray imaging only shows the dense bone structures of the skull; X-ray angiography only shows the blood vessels of the head and neck and not soft brain-tissue; and MRI only shows soft tissue and blood vessels, but not the details of bony structures such as the skull. CT images reveal all of the soft tissue, bone and blood vessels as needed. Although MRI doesn’t capture bone, it is often helpful because of the in-depth level of detail visible in the images.

In addition to identifying the location of the lesion and observing the problems after the injury plus CT scans and MRIs, the severity of the brain injury is often predicted by the following assessments:

Loss of Consciousness (LOC): is characterized by a “comatose state” or coma, where the client doesn’t exhibit vocal responses or movements after verbal or physical stimulation. The presence of LOC, particularly its duration, is a predictor that there may be future limitations, however, there aren’t always limitations or they may not be readily apparent.

Retrograde Amnesia (RA): is the loss of memory of the events that happened right before the brain injury (i.e. the time span from the time of the injury to the last memory before the injury.). A long period of RA is usually an indicator of severe or extensive brain damage, however, in rare cases, RA may also occur with mild head injury. RA may occur without any LOC.

Post Traumatic Amnesia (PTA): is the inability to form new memories, as well as disorientation for particular period after they recover consciousness. PTA may also be a good indicator of the severity of injury and the eventual functioning. Age is also a factor with PTA as older individuals tend to have longer periods of PTA.          

Hopefully developing an understanding of the parts of the brain will help decrease its complexity in our own minds! Here is an overview of the parts of the brain and the problems that are often observed when each area sustains an injury:

·         Determines how we know what we are doing (consciousness)

·         Initiates activity in response to our environment

·         Creates judgments about what occurs in our daily activities

·         Controls our emotional response

·         Controls our expressive language

·         Assigns meaning to the words we choose

·         Involves word associations

·         Memory for habits and motor activities

Observed Problems:

·         Inability to plan and sequence the movements needed for multi-stepped tasks, such as making coffee (sequencing)

·         Loss of spontaneity in interacting with others

·         Loss of flexibility in thinking

·         Persistence of a single thought (preservation)

·         Inability to focus on tasks (attending)

·         Mood changes (emotionally labile)

·         Changes in social behaviour

·         Changes in personality

·         Difficulty with problem solving

·         Inability to express language (Broca’s aphasia)

·         Some visual perception  

·         Touch perception

·         Goal-directed voluntary movements (do we need to say “goal-directed?”)

·         Manipulation of objects

·         Integration of different senses, enabling understanding of a single concept

Observed Problems:

·         Inability to attend to more than one object at a time

·         Inability to name an object (Anomia)

·         Inability to locate the words for writing (Agraphia)

·         Problems with reading (Alexia)

·         Difficulty with drawing objects

·         Difficulty distinguishing left from right

·         Difficulty doing mathematics (Dyscalculia)

·         Lack of awareness of certain body parts and/or surrounding space (Apraxia), leading to difficulty with self-care

·         Inability to focus visual attention

·         Difficulties with eye and hand coordination

• Defects in vision (Visual Field Cuts)
• Difficulty locating objects 
• Difficulty identifying colours (Colour Agnosia)
• Visual Illusions – inaccurately seeing objects
• Word blindness – inability to recognize words
• Difficulty recognizing drawn objects
• Difficulty recognizing how an object moves (Movement Agnosia)
• Difficulty reading and writing

• Hearing
• Memory acquisition 
• Some visual perceptions
• Categorization of objects

• Difficulty recognizing faces (Prosopagnosia)
• Difficulty understanding spoken words (Wernicke’s Aphasia)
• Disturbance with selective attention to what we see and hear
• Difficulty identifying and verbalizing about objects
• Short term memory loss
• Interference with long-term memory
• Increased or decreased interest in sexual behaviour
• Inability to categorize objects (Categorization)
• Persistent talking (if right lobe damage)  
• Increased aggressive behaviour

BRAIN STEM: It is the oldest and deepest part of the human brain and is responsible for primary life functions and arousal.  It connects the brain to the spinal cord and includes the following functions deep in the brain leading into the spinal cord and is responsible for the following functions:

• Breathing, Heart Rate, Swallowing
• Reflexes when seeing and hearing (Startle Response)
• Sweating, blood pressure, digestion, temperature (Autonomic Nervous System)
• Alertness level and ability to sleep
• Sense of balance (Vestibular Function)

• Decreased breathing capacity important for speech
• Swallowing food and water (Dysphagia)
• Difficulty with organization/perception of the environment
• Problems with balance and movement
• Dizziness and nausea (Vertigo)
• Sleeping difficulties (Insomnia, Sleep Apnea)
• Abnormal changes in heart rate and blood pressure
• Decreased level of alertness

CEREBELLUM: It is at the base of the skull and is involved in the following functions:

• Coordination of voluntary movement
• Balance and equilibrium
• Some memory for reflex motor acts

• Inability to coordinate fine movements
• Inability to walk
• Inability to reach out and grab objects
• Inability to make rapid movements
• Tremors
• Dizziness (Vertigo)
• Slurred Speech (Scanning Speech)
• Poor balance (tendency to fall)

An individualized approach to a complex issue

As you know, brain injury can be devastating not only just to the injured client, but to all family members. The ramifications of each client’s brain injury are as unique as the individual and his/her specific life situation. Having a solid understanding of how brain injury is assessed and brain anatomy should be beneficial as you work in close consultation with a wide range of healthcare professionals. Additional information about this topic is available through the Sibley & Associates Resource Library and Educational Seminars. Please contact Angela Veri, National Director of Customer Relations at 1.800.363.8900 (Ext. 356).

Featured on March 12, 2007

We welcome you to join our Nursing Teams to provide care to hospitals throughout Toronto, Scarborough and York Region.

Meet our Nursing Management Team at our Nursing Career Fairs

We can offer you: Flexible Self-Scheduling, Competitive Pay Rates, Employer Sponsored Educational Programs, Orientation & Training, Bonuses & Incentives, Full-time & Part-time Contracts, Flexible Benefits, Retirement & Investment Planning and much more!

Bring a copy of your resume, current CNO registration and BCLS certification; on the spot interviews and conditional offers of employment available!

Featured on February 9, 2007