WOMEN’S HEALTH IN MIDLIFE YEARS (WHIM) KIT

The Women’s Health in Midlife Years was a provincial initiative designed to assist
women make informed choices about managing key midlife health issues through health
education and community action. The initiative was funded through the Federal Health
Transition Fund and was coordinated by BC Women’s (part of Children’s and Women’s
Hospital and Health Centre) in collaboration with the Women’s Health Bureau.

The WHIM kit was designed to offer a less medical, broader perspective on key midlife
health issues. The WHIM kit (part of the Women’s Healht in Midlife Years Project) was
developed through the auspices of BC Women’s and includes 9 items (a resource folder,
2 decision-making guides, a guided journal, 3 videos, an audiotape/CD and a web
page). Representatives from government, education, communication specialists,
community women and physicians worked together to develop the items. These items area
available separately or all together. Please see website for costs and order form.

Information kit contents

DECISION-MAKING ABOUT HORMONE THERAPY
Making a decision about whether to take hormone therapy can be difficult for some
midlife women.  There are many things to consider. As with any decision about health,
each woman has to decide for herself whether or not to take hormone therapy. Many
women have said that they want more information. This 48 page booklet has been
designed with that in mind. The information it contains is based on what is presently
known about some of the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. At the end of this
booklet is a list of books and resources and a space for you to add books you have
found helpful..

MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
If you are a woman in midlife, you have probably already heard something about
complementary therapies (also called alternative therapies). These are treatments or
approaches used in addition to, or instead of, the usual treatments prescribed by
medical doctors. Making informed decisions means gathering information and thinking
about choices before making decisions. This 56 page booklet contains information
about some of the complementary therapies used by man y women in midlife. At the end
of this booklet is a list of books and resources and a space for you to add books you
have found helpful..

PAUSING TO REFLECT: A Guided Journal for Women in Midlife
Women in midlife often find that there can be many benefits to keeping a journal at
this stage of life. This journal is divided into parts, each marking a place where
change may be happening in your lifein health, relationships, self-image. Each part
has space for you to write or draw or paint or tape photos. The journal is yours to
make you own. At the end of this booklet is a list of books and resources and a space
for you to add books you have found helpful..

WOMEN’S HEALTH IN MIDLIFE YEARS RESOURCE FOLDER
The resource folder holds an assortment of information handouts developed by BC Women
’s over the years.  Feel free to add your own resources.

3 VIDEOS
In 1998/99, BC Women’s presented a series of symposium on menopause.  The three
events drew large audiences and was simulcast to five communities using BC TEL’s
UBIQUITY Premium video-conferencing service.
A Change for the Better         Nov 8, 1999
Menopause and Bone Health       May 24, 1999
Menopause and Heart Health      June 25, 1999

AUDIOTAPE/CD
Dear “Jaz" is a series of letters from a fictional mid-life women to her friend, Jaz.
The letters encompass the experience of being a midlife women with humour, advice,
information and song.  Women are encouraged to see this time of our lives as a
positive change with many resources and opportunities available.

For more information or to order go to. http://www.cw.bc./womens/midlife