List of Health Wellness Group Programs

Rehabilitation Department

Our Rehabilitation team provides government-funded Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy services.  Please see below to learn more about each service. Our department is open Monday to Friday from 8 am-4 pm, with evening hours for Physiotherapy services each Wednesday until 7 pm.

You qualify for our services if:

  • You live in Hamilton and do not have any health benefits or coverage (for instance not a WSIB or MVA claim) for our Rehabilitation services
  • You live with Diabetes and are interested in accessing our Diabetes Exercise program

Please call (905)523-1184 for more information.

Registered Kinesiologist and Certified Diabetes Educator provides an individualized exercise program to help optimize the management of diabetes.  They can also help to connect you to other members of our interdisciplinary Diabetes Education Team. More information about Kinesiologists can be found at the Ontario Kinesiology Association website.

Occupational Therapist (OT) can help people of all ages develop strategies for managing everyday activities that have become challenging because of an injury, illness or disability.

How can the OTs at Compass Community Health help you? With the following tasks:  

  • Increasing independence and safety with showering, dressing, and other self-care tasks
  • Improving sleep
  • Being safe at home and preventing falls
  • Using the bank and paying bills
  • Managing, or returning, to work
  • Shopping and preparing meals
  • Doing laundry and cleaning your home
  • Driving or using public transit
  • Knowing how to spend your extra time (socializing, hobbies, volunteering)
  • Becoming more active
  • Managing stress, anger, and anxiety
  • Managing pain and fatigue

More information about Occupational Therapy can be found on the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario websites.

Your Physiotherapist (PT) partners with you to optimize your physical health.

How can the PTs at Compass Community Health help you?

  • Assess and diagnose your issue
  • Use a combination of hands-on therapy, exercise, and pain management tools to reduce your pain and restore movement
  • Create a home exercise to help you achieve your goals
  • Develop a self-management program to make you independent with your care
  • Connect you to other team members, services or group programs

More information about Physiotherapists can be found on the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and College of Physiotherapists websites.

Compass Diabetes Foot Health Program:

This is a comprehensive foot care program which focuses on the assessment and treatment of feet and the prevention of further diabetic foot complications like ulcers and amputations in people living with diabetes. All foot care is done by our team of chiropodists (registered foot specialists) and registered practical nurses with advanced foot care training. Funding for the program is provided by the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN. 

Who is eligible for the program?

  1. If you have been diagnosed with type II diabetes and are at risk of complications due to your condition and live in the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN. 
  2. As a diabetic, if you are not able to manage your own foot care and you have barriers to accessing foot care such as lack of insurance and financial means.

What does the Program Offer You?

All clients referred to the Program will be screened to establish their risk for diabetes complications. There is no direct cost to you for the care you receive when you participate in the program.

  • If you are able to perform your own foot care safely and have good management of your blood sugars and no diabetic foot complications, you will be referred to a self-care class and a follow-up assessment to monitor your needs as needed.
  • If you have moderate to severe risk factors for diabetes complications i.e. difficulty feeling your feet, unable to safely see and/or reach your feet, poor circulation, history of ulcers and/or amputation, loss of feeling in your lower limbs you will be referred to receive routine visits with a chiropodist or foot care nurse every 8 – 12 weeks. This may include: routine nail care, care of callus and corns, care of ingrown toenails, assessing for custom orthotics and other foot-related devices.
  • If you develop or already have complications such as open wounds, an external referral for wound care may be necessary. Limited wound care support is provided where possible by the Program for less severe wounds or when you are awaiting wound care to begin at another facility. You may continue to receive preventative care and support during the time you are receiving wound care by other clinics.

  • Client who are registered with the program can participate in other diabetes and health related services offered at the Health Centre where available. This includes: diabetes and nutritional education, fitness, chronic disease management and mental wellness programs.

  • The program can also provide external referral for care of more complex diabetic conditions and recommended qualified external professionals for orthotics and other devices
  • Interpretation services are available on request.

Referrals can be sent in from your family doctor or you can self-refer.  Please call 905-523-0090 or our toll free number at 1-877-361-3338 to inquire about eligibility. 

Click here for Compass Diabetes Foot Health Program Referral

Click here for self-care classes - Hamilton area

Click here Updated Foot Care Site Location Listing

Click here for Compass Diabetes Awareness Month. Kindly click for the flyer.

Chiropody

What is Chiropody?
Chiropody is the profession dealing with assessment and treatment of the feet in order to prevent or relieve diseases and disorders. This is done through therapeutic, surgical and palliative means.

What Does A Chiropodist Do At Compass Community Health?
Commonly treated conditions include toenail and skin problems (e.g. ingrown toenails), corns and calluses. These are often due to structural foot problems, so the Chiropodist may prescribe orthotics (shoe inserts) or special footgear (braces or shoes).