My Day to Day

• Stay in touch with your friends! Whether its texting, FaceTime, or even meeting up for coffee.
• Know you’re limits – find space between activities, being with others and having some down time.
• Surround yourself with people who accept you and make you feel good about yourself – social connection is important, but not when it drains your bucket instead of filling it.
• Try going away with friends for few days, if you’re up to it and able.
• Explore support groups to connect with others who share similar experiences. Learn about support groups in the resource kit.
• Consider volunteering – it’s a great way to meet people and get work experience for your resume.
• Keep your personal boundaries and your need for privacy and confidentiality in mind as connect with friends and family.

• Make a list of sports that you are interested in.
• Explore sports or team activities that work for your body and health needs.
• Join a team to create new friendships.
• Practice new skills and notice your progress in building self-confidence.
• Work together with teammates by communicating and supporting each other.
• Use sports as a way to reduce stress, boost your mood, and feel good about yourself.

• Try to put the phone aside and/or your computer.
• Read books that challenge your thinking or introduce new ideas – and do it often!
• Play brain games like word puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, and memory games.
• Take breaks from stuff that drains your brain, like doom scrolling or binge watching.
• Try to learn a new language or how to play a musical instrument.
• Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep is key for focus, memory, learning, overall cognitive functioning, and just feeling like yourself.

• Notice any changes in your appetite and make a list of what you like for meals, snacks, and beverages.
• Keep track of any new medications or treatments that might affect your stomach or digestion.
• List all vitamins, herbs, or supplements you are taking on your medications list in your health profile.
• Learn about the role of a dietitian in the resource kit.
• Try consulting a dietitian to help you create a healthy eating plan. Services through Healthlink BC are free consultations. Or consult a dietitian in private practice.
• Check out healthy ways of eating – start with the Canada Food Guide for your age.
• Learn about the benefits and risks of supplements. Make sure all are listed on your medication list (including amount) and shared with your physician.

• Notice body changes as you grow and remember that everyone develops differently and on their own timeline.
• Be aware of social media and peer pressure, because many images and messages are unrealistic and can affect how you see yourself.
• Know the warning signs of disordered eating, like binge eating, eating when you feel sad, lonely, or bored, or using food to cope with feelings.
• Take a look at your family or roommates eating habits, because not having regular meals or good food in your home can make eating healthy harder.
• Watch for disordered eating signs, such as skipping meals, feeling guilty about food, binge eating, or worrying too much about your weight.
• Protect your health by eating regularly, building healthy routines, talking kindly to yourself, and reaching out to a trusted adult or health professional if food or body thoughts feel stressful.

• Plan ahead and learn how to prepare and cook meals if moving out on your own.
• Ask friends, family, or roommates how they can help you get groceries or prepare meals if you are unwell.
• Plan simple meals for the week so you don’t waste food or money.
• Buy basics like rice, pasta, beans, eggs, oats, and frozen vegetables—they’re cheap and last longer.
• Choose frozen or canned foods (with low salt or sugar) because they cost less and don’t spoil quickly.
• Cook once, eat twice by making extra and saving leftovers for another meal.
• Eat regular meals so you don’t get too hungry and overspend on fast food.
• Pack your meals and snacks for school or work – stay away from vending machines.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks to save money and stay healthy.
• Learn a few easy recipes like stir-fry, soup, or pasta that you can mix and match.
• Ask for help from a trusted adult, food bank, or community program if money is tight.
• Learn about grocery delivery and meal supportservices available in your community if you become unwell.

• Know how your health or medications can affect your driving, such as tiredness, vision, or reaction time.
• Talk to your physician or specialist about whether it is safe for you to drive.
• Learn about driving supports, like vehicle adaptations or special equipment if needed.
• Know that getting a driver’s license in B.C. with a health condition or disability involves disclosing the condition to the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC).
• Understand that you are required to declare any new or ongoing medical condition, physical disability, or cognitive impairment when you apply for, renew, or upgrade your driver’s license.This includes, but is not limited to, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, neurological disorders, or mobility issues.
• Understand that Road Safety BC may require you to submit a Driver’s Medical Examination Report (DMER)completed by your physician or nurse practitioner or complete a functional assessment.
• Learn more about “Medical Examinations” from ICBC.

Look into other options like public transit, ride programs, or disability discounts if driving isn’t safe for you right now. In BC, youth with certain health conditions and disabilities can access transportation with discount passes and more.

• BC Bus Pass Program: For youth receiving Disability Assistance (PWD designation), this provides an annual pass for BC Transit/TransLink or a monthly supplement ($52) for other transport needs.
• HandyDART: A shared, door-to-door bus service for those unable to use regular transit due to disability; includes free travel for an attendant.
• HandyCard: Offers discounted fares on conventional transit (bus, SkyTrain, etc.) and free attendant travel in TransLink areas.
• TaxiSaver: A subsidy (50% off) for taxi rides, supplemental to HandyDART, for eligible HandyCard holders.
• Disability parking (SPARC) is a special parking permit for people who have difficulties with mobility from surgery, accidents, health changes or disabilities. For permanent or short-term use.
• Travel Assistance Program(TAP) is a refund program for getting to specialist appointments, tests, or surgeries outside of your community. If you qualify, you need to get a signed letter and form from your physician or specialist. When you need to use your TAP refund, call the TAP 24 hour information line days before your appointment to get a confirmation number that you write on your form.
• Community-based ride-sharing services may include volunteer drivers such as Volunteer Cancer Drivers and Wheels of Hope for people needing cancer treatments. Other volunteer services are available to and from health care visits.

Think of the things you need help with daily or when you are feeling unwell. This then can be listed out into a care plan. What you need, how you want it done, and when.

• Meals and food prep like cooking, grocery shopping, or even simply kitchen cleaning.
• Moving around – any mobility concerns, such as getting out of bed, using stairs, or walking short distances (especially if you use a cane, walker, or other mobility aids/devices).
• Personal hygiene – bathing or showering, getting dressed, brushing your teeth, skincare, shaving, or using the bathroom.
• Medication management – filling prescriptions, taking the right dosage of medications at the right times, re-filling from your physician, and talking with the pharmacist.
• Managing treatments – using medical devices, doing infusions or injections, ordering medical supplies and equipment, and more.
• Assisting with chores such as cleaning, laundry, and garbage/ recycling removal.
• Helping with ordering and managing supplies, checking that equipment is working properly and/or getting it fixed.
• Booking appointments and transportation to and from them.
• Making a list based on you, your daily needs, and if things change.

You learnt about tracking your health information in the apps on your phone in the section My Health Information. Your physician or health care team might ask you keep track of things like your weight, blood pressure, diet, fluid intake, lab results, pain levels, blood sugar levels or A1C, and more. Staying organized can help you spot patterns.

• Ask your physician or specialist what you should check on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
• Use your phone calendar and notes app to record the items you are tracking.
• Log any new symptoms or changes in your calendar app on your phone.
• If you have a smart watch, it may include ways to track your weight, sleep, steps, fitness, heart rate, respirations and more.
• Remember that not all apps are secure or private.

• Keep your medication list up to date in your Health Profile.
• Remember it needs to include updated dosages of your regular medications, the name and dosage of your supplements, vitamins, and herbs. As well as any over the counter drugs you use regularly.
• Keep an up-to-date ‘Medications List’ in your Notes app.
• At least once a year, go through this list with your physician, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist 
• Always make note of any side effects or negative interactions with other substances such as alcohol or OTC drugs, even if the medication isn’t new to you.
• Use pill boxes or blister packs from the pharmacy if you need help organizing your medications.
• Set alarms on your phone, if needed, as medication reminders.
• Download the Mywell Medication & Daily Records fillable PDF tool to have a digital and printable record, is needed.
• If a person other than yourself gives you your medication (and that isn’t the norm), make note of it in your Medication & Daily Records fillable PDF.
• Make sure your health advocate knows where your medication list is on your phone. Include it in your Emergency Plan.