Resources

Welcome

These resources are designed to accompany Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, 5th Edition, Living a Healthy with Chronic Pain, 2nd Edition, and Aging Well with HIV

 

This list includes suggested further readings, useful websites, and other helpful resources. It's compiled by the authors of the book and maintained by the publisher.

photo of cover

Getting Started - Index

lemon To get started, select a topic below. Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

 

Other things you might need

Visit the Self-Management Resource Centre | Millions of adults live with one or more chronic health conditions. Our programs help people and their caregivers manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs.

 

Looking for copies of My Action Plan, charts, worksheets, or Self Tests that appear in the books? You can download copies from our website. 

 

Report a broken link  | If you would like to report a broken link or make a suggestion, please contact us

Epilepsy

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Websites

Healthcare.gov | A government-sponsored website that explains how people with preexisting conditions can be covered under the new law

Choosing a Health Plan | How to Evaluate Different Options

Insure Kids Now! | National campaign to link the nation's uninsured children -- from birth to age 18 -- to free and low-cost health insurance

Partnership for Prescription Assistance | Resource for finding programs to help cover prescription medication

J. Kiffin Penry Patient Travel Assistance Fund | Epilepsy Foundation fund to help families who must travel more than 50 miles for medical care

The Catalyst Center | National center dedicated to improving health care insurance and financing for youth with special health care needs

 

From the Epilepsy Foundation

- Sample Seizure Action Plan | https://www.epilepsy.com/preparedness-safety/action-plans

- Medical Marijuana | https://www.epilepsy.com/treatment/alternative-therapies/medical-marijuana

- SUDEP | https://www.epilepsy.com/complications-risks/early-death-sudep

 

Additional sources

- Rare Epilepsy Network | https://www.rareepilepsynetwork.org/

- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ 
Dial 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor. They are available 24 hours a day, 7-days a week. 

- List of Seizure Medications | https://www.epilepsy.com/stories/summary-anti-seizure-medications

Arthritis

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Websites

Arthritis Foundation | https://www.arthritis.org/

Official website of The Arthritis Foundation, also available in Spanish includes a blog, resource finder and helpline. 

- Living with Arthritis https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/ 

- Walk with Ease Program https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/tools-resources/walk-with-ease/ 

 

National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases | https://www.niams.nih.gov/ 

Government agency. Search arthritis, osteoporosis, and other topics:

- https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis

 

Programs

Fit & Strong! | https://www.fitandstrong.org

- An exercise program for adults with arthritis

 

Print

Shlotzhauer, T. L. (2014). Living with rheumatoid arthritis. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Sleep / Fatigue

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Websites

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Sleep|https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html

 

Mayo Clinic: Lack of Sleep: Can it make you sick? | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757 

 

National Sleep Foundation

 

WebMD: The Sleep-Diabetes Connection | https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/diabetes-lack-of-sleep

 

Downloadable PDFs

American Thoracic Society

Planning for the Future

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Websites

 

American Association for Retired Persons | https://www.aarp.org 

 

American Bar Association: Health Care Decision Making | http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_aging/resources/health_care_decision_making.html 

 

National Council on Aging: Benefits Check Up | https://www.benefitscheckup.org 

 

Caring.com | https://www.caring.com

Information and support geared towards seniors.

 

Five Wishes: Advanced Care Planning for You and Your Loved Ones | https://fivewishes.org/five-wishes/individuals-families/individuals-and-families 

 

My Life In A Box: A Life Organizer | https://mylifeinabox.com 

 

National Center of Law and Elder Rights | https://ncler.acl.gov

Formerly the National Legal Resource Center 

 

National Council on Aging | https://www.ncoa.org 

 

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: Patients and Caregivers | https://www.nhpco.org/patients-and-caregivers/ 

 

National POLST Paradigm | https://polst.org

Encourages patients and their health care professionals to talk about what patients want at the end of life. The patient and his/her health care professional make informed, shared decisions about treatments and complete a POLST form, which is a portable medical order that emergency personnel can follow if the patient has a medical emergency and can't speak for himself/herself.

 

National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives | https://www.nrc-pad.org/ 

A psychiatric advance directive (PAD) is a legal document that documents a person’s preferences for future mental health treatment, and allows the appointment of a health proxy to interpret those preferences during a crisis. PADs are used when a person becomes unable to make decisions during a mental health crisis.

 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Home equity conversion mortgages for seniors | https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/hecm/hecmhome

 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Directory of Veterans Service Organizations | https://www.va.gov/vso/ 

 

Print

Cullen, M., Irving, S. (2018). Shae Irving. Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To (Eighth edition). Berkeley, CA: Nolo.

  • - Provides a complete system for structuring and organizing your information and documents into a records binder, including helpful content, resources, and step-by-step instructions, as well as downloadable forms.

 

Kübler-Ross, E. (2014). On Death and Dying. New York: Simon & Schuster.

  • - This book explores the five stages of death: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Through sample interviews and conversations, Kübler-Ross  gives readers a better understanding of how imminent death affects the patient, the professionals who serve that patient, and the patient's family.

 

Rosen, H. (2015). My Family Record Book: The Easy Way to Organize Personal Information, Financial Plans, and Final Wished for Seniors, Caregivers, Estate Executors, etc. Rosen Books.

  • - A complete step-by-step guide to help you keep track of and organize: final wishes and arrangements, computer information and passwords, estate planning documents, employment records, insurance policies, tax records, retirement accounts, government benefits, real estate records, house maintenance and more.

 

Speicher, J. H. (2019). Before and After: A practical guide for what to do and not to do before and after a loved one dies. Lafayette, CA: Big Hat Press.

HIV - Canadian

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General HIV Resources

Canadian AIDS Society: http://www.cdnaids.ca

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE): http://www.catie.ca

The Canadian Foundation of AIDS Research (CANFAR): https://canfar.com

HIV and Emotional Wellness by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE):
https://www.catie.ca/hiv-and-emotional-wellness#book-block-menu-6756

Let’s Stop AIDS: http://letsstopaids.org

Safer Sex Guide by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE): https://www.catie.ca/safer-
sex-guide-0

 

Medication Cards

My Medication Card by Health Quality BC: https://healthqualitybc.ca/resources/my-medication-card-its-
good-to-ask/

Wallet Medication Card by The Community Against Preventable Injuries in partnership with London
Drugs: https://www.preventable.ca/media/preventable_londondrugs_walletcard_6x3.5_double_print.pdf

 

Accessing Health Information in Canada

Canadian Aids Society (CAS) - a national coalition of community-based AIDS organizations across Canada
dedicated to strengthening the response to HIV/AIDS across all sectors of society, and to enriching the lives
of people and communities living with HIV/AIDS. https://www.cdnaids.ca/

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange http://www.catie.ca

Health Gateway: Access your health information online including your medication history dating back to
1995 https://www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca/

Your Sexual Health: A Guide for People Living with HIV by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information
Exchange (CATIE): https://www.catie.ca/client-publication/your-sexual-health-a-guide-for-people-living-
with-hiv 

Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP: https://www.catie.ca/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep-0 

Your Guide to HIV Treatment by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE):
https://www.catie.ca/your-guide-to-hiv-treatment

A Practical Guide to HIV Drug Side Effects by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE):
https://www.catie.ca/a-practical-guide-to-hiv-drug-side-effects 

PEP: Preventing HIV After a Potential Exposure by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
(CATIE): https://www.catie.ca/client-publication/pep-preventing-hiv-after-a-potential-exposure

Is PrEP Right for Me? By Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE):
https://www.catie.ca/client-publication/is-prep-right-for-me 

PrEP to Prevent HIV: Your Questions Answered by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
(CATIE): https://www.catie.ca/prep

8 Questions about PrEP for Guys by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE):
https://www.catie.ca/client-publication/8-questions-about-prep-for-guys 

Where to? By CATIE: https://whereto.catie.ca/

Immunize Canada: This website is for people looking for HIV, hepatitis C, sexual health or harm reduction
services in Canada, with additional resources to support their journey to health and wellness,
https://immunize.ca/covid-19

Recommended Vaccines for Adults Living with HIV by Immunize BC:
https://immunizebc.ca/sites/default/files/docs/ibc-hiv-recommended-vaccines-brochure-2024.pdf 

Advice on ordering medications, see the Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-
canada/topics/buying-using-drug-health-products-safely/safe-use-online-pharmacies.html

 

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs:

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): http://www.camh.ca

Drug Product Database (DPD): https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-
products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE): https://www.catie.ca/treatment-care-hiv-
treatment-care-and-support/hiv-medications 


Advocacy / HIV Stigma and Disclosure

Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR): https://canfar.com/awareness/about-hiv-aids/stigma/

HIV Legal Network: http://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca

Realize Canada: http://www.realizecanada.org 

Take Positive Actions Against HIV Stigma – The Positive Effect: https://www.positiveeffect.org/positive-
actions 
- Share Your Story – The Positive Effect: https://www.positiveeffect.org/submit-your-story 
- Listen to Stories by Others – The Positive Effect: https://www.positiveeffect.org/stories

HIV and the Criminal Law in Canada: https://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/black-communities/?lang=en

Know Your Rights – HIV Criminalization by HIV Legal Network: https://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/know-your-rights-hiv-criminalization/?lang=en#

Know Your Rights – Privacy and Health Records by HIV Legal Network: https://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/kyr/?lang-=en&lang=en

The Criminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure in Canada: Current Status and the Need for Change by HIV Legal Network: https://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/the-criminalization-of-hiv-non-disclosure-in-canada-report/?lang=en

Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers. "Call us if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you’re not in a crisis or if you’re not sure you’re trans." Canada (877) 330-6366 US (877) 565-8860 (A trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.): https://translifeline.org/hotline


Hotlines

Canadian AIDS Society (Hotlines and Support): https://www.cdnaids.ca/resources/hiv-information-hotlines/

Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/hotline


Mental Health Trauma and HIV

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) (Mental and Emotional Health):
https://www.catie.ca/managing-your-health/mental-and-emotional-health 


Nutrition

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) (A Practical Guide to a Healthy Body for People
Living with HIV): https://www.catie.ca/a-practical-guide-to-a-healthy-body-for-people-living-with-hiv


Older Adults with HIV

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) (HIV and Aging): https://www.catie.ca/hiv-and-
aging-0 

National Resource Centre on 2SLGBTQI Aging: https://2slgbtqi-aging.ca/welcome-lgbtq-aging/ 

HIV and Aging by Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE): https://www.catie.ca/hiv-
and-aging-0  

Social Isolation of Seniors: A Focus on LGBTQ Seniors in Canada publication by Employment and Social
Development Canada, 2018: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/canada/employment-social-
development/corporate/seniors/forum/social-isolation-lgbtq/social-isolation-lgbtq-seniors-EN.pdf

The National Resource Centre on LGBTQ Aging: A resource centre focused on the lived experiences of
LGBTQ old adults and aging issues in Canada https://2slgbtqi-aging.ca/

Talking about Depression, Anxiety and HIV/AIDS by Canadian AIDS Society: https://www.cdnaids.ca/wp-content/uploads/Talking-About-Depression.pdf

Hepatitis Education Canada - they develop culturally and linguistically sensitive hepatitis C education resources for the population, hepatitis patients and health care providers. Resources cover topics such as prevention, testing, care and support, treatment and living with hepatitis: https://hepatitiseducation.med.ubc.ca/patients/english-2/

Mpox - Provinces and territories base their immunization programs on their needs and circumstances. Contact your local public health authority to learn more. Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/mpox/symptoms-management.html#a4

National Resource Centre on 2SLGBTQI Aging (NRCA) - The National Resource Centre on 2SLGBTQI Aging is a resource centre focused on the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQI older adults and aging issues in Canada. The site is a storehouse of information, research and resources for 2SLGBTQI older adults, their communities, and for those who provide social service and care to these groups. The NRCA is a collaboration between Egale Canada and the National Institute on Ageing: https://2slgbtqi-aging.ca/

QMUNITY (BC’s Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Resource Centre): https://qmunity.ca/

Have a Seniors & Older Adults Program: https://qmunity.ca/get-support/olderadults/

Dignity Seniors Society (Supporting BC’s 2SLGBTQI+ Seniors): https://www.dignityseniors.org/

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians): https://pflagcanada.ca/

EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere): https://egale.ca/

Alzheimer’s Society of Canada: https://alzheimer.ca/en

 

Smoking Cessation

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) (Quitting Smoking – Impact on Cancer Risk):
https://www.catie.ca/treatmentupdate-230/quitting-smoking-impact-on-cancer-risk 

Government of Canada (Quit with Confidence: Deciding to Quit): https://www.canada.ca/en/health-
canada/services/smoking-tobacco/quit-smoking.html


Transgender Health

Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/hotline 

National Resource Centre on 2SLGBTQI Aging: https://2slgbtqi-aging.ca/welcome-lgbtq-aging/ 


Women and HIV

Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) (Women and HIV in Canada):
https://cep.health/media/uploaded/CEP_WomenHIV_Info.pdf 


Working with Health Care Team

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) (Your Healthcare Team):
https://www.catie.ca/your-guide-to-hiv-treatment/your-healthcare-team 

Heart Disease / Congestive Heart Failure

lemon Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

 

Websites

American Heart Association | https://www.heart.org

Nonprofit organization offering healthy living tips and information about different heart related health topics, caregiver support and community forums. 

 

American Stroke Association | https://www.strokeassociation.org/en 

A division of the American Heart Association providing information about stroke and life after stroke, along with financial resources, support networks and more. 

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Kaiser Permanente: Your guide to heart health | https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health/care/!ut/p/a0/DcdBCsAgDATAF8nee-srWnNbJKhgokjo--tlYCB4Ic6vV0afznGei3rovppyRzqOaHggkLVZjcg-U2FpimV2_9KWcfA!/ 

 

Mayo Clinic

 

Medline Plus

 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute | https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute plans, conducts, and supports research, clinical trials, and observational studies related to the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases, and sleep disorders. 

 

Office on Women’s Health: Heart Disease and women https://www.womenshealth.gov/heart-disease-and-stroke/heart-disease/heart-disease-and-women 

 

WebMD

 

WomenHeart | http://www.womenheart.org/

The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. Website offers information about preventing, diagnosing and treating heart disease, help to find a support network and blog. 

 

Print

Cohen, Barry. Coronary Heart Disease: From Diagnosis to Treatment 2019.

Heller, Maria. The DASH Diet Action Plan: Proven to Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol without Medication. 2014.

Ornish, Dean and Anne Ornish. Undo It!: How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases. Ballantine, 2019.

Rippe, James M. Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease for Dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, 2015.

Taylor, Jill Bolte. My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey. New York: Viking, 2009.



High Blood Pressure

lemon Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

 

Websites

American Heart Association | https://www.heart.org

Nonprofit organization offering healthy living tips and information about different heart related health topics, caregiver support and community forums. 

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: High Blood Pressure | https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/ 

 

Mayo Clinic: Video - How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/multimedia/how-to-measure-blood-pressure/vid-20084749

 

Mayo Clinic: High blood pressure (hypertension) | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410

 

Medline Plus: High Blood Pressure | https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodpressure.html 

 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute | https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute plans, conducts, and supports research, clinical trials, and observational studies related to the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases, and sleep disorders. 

 

Videos

Mayo Clinic: How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/multimedia/how-to-measure-blood-pressure/vid-20084749 

 

Medline Plus: Hypertension Overview | https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000072.htm

 

National Association of Community Health Centers: How to use your home blood pressure monitor | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tGyRJxbYpQ 

Sex & Intimacy with Chronic Conditions

Websites

ALS Society of Canada: Sexuality, Intimacy and ALS Fact sheet | https://als.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fact-Sheet-Sexuality-intimacy-and-ALS_FINAL.pdf

 

American Association for Retired Persons: Sex and Intimacy | https://www.aarp.org/home-family/sex-intimacy/ 

 

American Diabetes Association | http://www.diabetes.org

American Academy of Family Physicians: Chronic Illness and sexual functioning | https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0115/p347.html 

 

American Heart Association

 

Diabetes Canada

 

Heart & Stroke Canada

 

Mayo Clinic

 

National Institute on Aging: Sexuality in later life | https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sexuality-later-life

 

Psychology Today: A Good Sex Life is Possible Even with Chronic Pain | https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ease-pain/202103/good-sex-life-is-possible-even-chronic-pain

 

Sexuality after SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) | https://www.sexualitysci.org 

For information and videos on a variety of issues related to sex, love and intimacy for people living with spinal cord injuries. 

 

WebMD: Pain Management, Maintaining Intimacy | https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-management-maintaining-intimacy