Our YMCA-YWCA is proud to be working with the Interior Health Authority to bring The Coach Approach to those who need it most – adults in early stages of chronic disease. Active living improves quality of life for everyone, but can have incredible impact for this population by actually preventing the progression of their disease. For more information, download the Y Coach Approach brochure.

Download a List of Community Programs in your area.

What is The Coach Approach?
A research-proven activity support System specifically designed to help non-exercisers, or starter-stoppers, to build a long-term commitment to active living. It includes a series of six 30 minute one-on-one activity counseling appointments over six months with your own Wellness Coach who will:

• work with you to set and achieve short-term goals
• help you develop plans to overcome your typical activity barriers
• teach you techniques and skills proven to help you stick with activity on a long-term basis
• let you choose whatever type of activity you'd like to try, and will inform you of the carious activities available throughout the Okanagan

Who is this service for?
Those with physician diagnosed cardiovascular or respiratory related chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension, COPD, asthma) and:

• have an interest in getting started or re-engaging in exercise
• have had difficulty maintaining activity goals in the past
• are medically stable, therefore have physician approval to exercise on their own or in beginner level activity programs

How do I access this service?
You can be referred to this program if you are a participating client of one of the following:

• Arthritis Society – Okanagan Regional Centre
• IHA Central Okanagan Diabetes Program
• IHA / C.O.A.C.H Heart Function Clinic
• C.O.A.C.H Cardiac Rehab & Risk Reduction Program
• IHA Kelowna Renal Program (includes Renal Nurse Practitioner, Renal health Clinic, Renal Dialysis services and Renal Transplant Clinic)
• IHA Kelowna Respiratory Program (includes Asthma Care Centre, Respiratory Rehab Program, Community Respiratory Therapy and Pulmonary Function Lab)
• Approved network of Central Okanagan Family Physicians (Contact your family physician to inquire if he/she is attached to a Central Okanagan Integrated Health Network)

Once the YMCA-YWCA Community Wellness Coach receives the referral from these services along with your doctor's approval to participate in non-medically supervised activity, the Coach will contact you to make arrangments for your first appointment.

Where do The Coach Approach sessions take place?

• Kelowna Family YMCA-YWCA (Rutland)
• Parkinson Recreation Centre (Central Kelowna)
• Capri Mall (Central Kelowna)
• Mount Boucherie Community Centre (West Kelowna)
• H20 Adventure + Fitness Centre (Kelowna's Mission area)

However, you have the option to exercise at the facility of your choice, or even just engaging in independent activity within your own neighbourhood.

What does the program cost?

$35 (plus GST)
As with all Y programs and services, we ensure that one's finances are never an obstacle to participation. If you cannot afford the full fee, financial assistance is available. Please contact Roxanne Pederson at 250 878-9792 for program subsidy information.

Printable copy: The Coach Approach® summary