Health EVENTS 1126

Jazzercise to hold burn-off class

SPRING HILL Spring Hill Jazzercise will be collecting nonperishable food items for local food banks by staging a benefit turkey burn-off class at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at Spring Hill Jazzercise, 1287 Kass Circle. Participants should dress to exercise and bring nonperishable food items as a donation. The event is free of charge and is open to the public. For more information, call Becky Mooneyham at 352-442-8595.

Caregiver Institute to hold celebration

SPRING HILL Caregiver Survival Institute will hold a holiday celebration open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at its Education and Resource Center located at 10000 Cortez Blvd., across from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC). The open house will be featured until after Christmas to honor the thousands of unpaid, unrecognized family caregivers in Hernando County. Family caregivers are invited to join the staff, caregivers themselves, for snacks, music and solutions to caregiver dilemmas. For more information, visit www.caregiversurvival.org or call 352-232-7032.

Cookbook to benefit Relay for Life

BROOKSVILLE Spring Hill Health & Rehabilitation Center has created a cookbook entitled, "From Our Family to Yours" to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Over 175 recipes were collected from residents of the facility, employees, families and friends to assist with raising awareness and money for this cause. Recipes submitted include family favorites that have been passed down through generations, as well as up-to-date versions of classics. Anecdotal information is shared throughout the book, giving the user some history of the recipes. Cookbooks will be sold through the time of Spring Hill's Relay for Life event to be held in April 2010. The cost is $9 each plus $2 shipping and handling per cookbook, if needed; and all proceeds will benefit Relay for Life. To purchase a cookbook, call the Center at 352-597-5100 or mail a check, payable to American Cancer Society, to: Jocelyn Giancarlo, Spring Hill Health & Rehabilitation Center, 12170 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Fla. 34613. Giancarlo can be contacted via e-mail at gsgjlg@gmail.com or by phone at 352-597-5100.

Support group to feature social

BROOKSVILLE Florida Cancer Institute - New Hope will host its monthly women's breast cancer support group from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Christian Life Assembly of God, 13065 Jacqueline Road. The group's annual Christmas social and potluck supper will be featured. For information, call Tambra Randazzo, RT, at 352-592-8128.

Fundraiser for Ethan's Angels

SPRING HILL Stolte Eye Center will host a wine and cheese fundraiser for Ethan's Angels from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Eye Center located at 11115 County Line Road, one-quarter mile east of Mariner Boulevard. Ethan is a 4-year-old born with numerous medical problems including cerebral palsy, neurological damage, chronic lung disease, severe immune deficiency, seizures, feeding disorder, hypoplastic corpus collossom, and more. Ethan needs to obtain stem cell treatment, which his family cannot afford. Refreshments, door prizes and entertainment will be featured plus a raffle basket with a $150 value. For more information, call the Eye Center at 352-666-9990.

Elks Lodge 2520 to conduct blood drive

HUDSON Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, in conjunction with Florida Blood Services, will conduct its blood drive from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Lodge located at 9135 Denton Ave., off U.S. 19. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the board in the hallway by the bar during the week of the blood drive. Sign your name in the available time that is open; or if an appointment is not set up, upon arrival, fill in a vacant time slot. Donors will receive a recognition gift from Florida Blood Services and a thank-you gift from the Lodge. For more information, call Dave Taylor at 727-819-3379.

Birthplace offers pediatric CPR

NEW PORT RICHEY The Birthplace at Community Hospital will hold a pediatric CPR class from 9 to 11 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at the Birthplace located at 5637 Marine Parkway. The next scheduled class will be held Nov. 28. Pediatric CPR teaches how to save the life of a child. Participants will learn the skills of the American Heart Association course, "CPR for family and friends." The fee is $15 for one person and $25 for two people. For information, call 727-514-2652.
In other Community Hospital news: The Birthplace will offer a motivational class outlining the health benefits of breastfeeding from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at Community Hospital located at 5637 Marine Parkway. The class will focus on fundamentals and how to access support. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. To register or for information, call 727-834-5630.

Women's Expo at Gulf View Mall

PORT RICHEY Pasco-Hernando County hospitals will present the Tampa Bay Women's Expo: Health, Wellness & More from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Gulf View Square Mall, 9409 U.S. Highway 19. Wellness experts and seminars with special sessions on topics for today's woman will be featured, along with health screenings including body composition analysis (BMI), vision, blood pressure, wound-foot screening, bone density, breast health risk assessment, PVD risk assessment and balance screenings. The event will also feature booths sponsored by Oak Hill Hospital, Community Hospital, and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Admission will be free of charge. For more information, call 1-877-4HCA-DOCS (1-877-442-2362).

Elder Helpline offers support

West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging's Elder Helpline offers support for caregivers and their aging parents. The Helpline provides information for older adults and their caregivers by helping callers make informed decisions about available assistance. It is the starting point in getting connected with programs or services that can meet the needs of the older adult or caregiver. For more information, call 1-800-96Elder (1-800-963-5337) or visit www.AgingFlorida.com.

'Walk-in' services at Health Dept.

SPRING HILL Hernando County Health Department provides "walk-in" primary care services from 1 to 7 p.m. Fridays at its clinic located at 7465 Forest Oaks Blvd.
The Health Department Express Clinic will be equipped to address medical issues such as sore throat, fever, earache, bronchitis, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, strains and sprains, minor laceration, headache and migraine, rash, and urinary tract infection.
The clinic will not provide emergency care, pain management or general physical examinations. The clinic has been established to provide an alternative for patients with nonemergency-type illnesses that might otherwise seek care in local emergency rooms. For more information, call 352-540-6800.

Al Anon meetings at Holy Trinity

MASARYKTOWN Holy Trinity Lutheran Church conducts an Alcoholics Anonymous Family Group meeting at 7 p.m. each Tuesday in the Ministry Center of the church located at 1214 Broad St. (U.S. 41). Meetings are open to the public. For information, call 352-796-4066.

Health Department offers programs

SPRING HILL Hernando County Health Department/Nature Coast Community Health Center will offer Childbirth Education classes from 2 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday at the Health Department located at 300 South Main St. Facilitated by Margaret Purdy, MS, ED, CBE, the series will offer pregnant women and a partner information, instruction and resources to promote a healthy delivery. A partner is not required to participate in the classes. The cost of the program is $60; and participants can pay by cash, check or credit card. The program is free of charge for Healthy Start clients. Registration is limited to 10 participants and 10 partners. For information, call Susan DeLise at 352-540-6819.

'Look Good' program at New Hope

SPRING HILL Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope has announced that it will host the American Cancer Society's "Look Good...Feel Better" program once a month in its conference room located at 7154 Medical Center Drive. The program is held periodically on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m., and the next scheduled meeting will be held Dec. 17. This is a free group program that teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients to help combat the appearance-related side effects of treatment. "Look Good... Feel Better" is free and open to all women cancer patients in active treatment. Reservations are required. For information, call Mary Capo at 352-596-1926 Ext.150. For information about the Florida Cancer Institute, call 1-888-206-0054 or visit www.FloridaCancerInstitute-NewHope.com
In addition, a Look Good Feel Better Support Group meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month at the Florida Cancer Institute's Spring Hill Center, 10441 Quality Drive, Suite 203, in the Medical Arts Building, next to Spring Hill Regional Hospital. The next scheduled meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 16. For information, call Peggy Dome, R.N., support group facilitator, at 352-688-7744.

Autistic children support group

BROOKSVILLE The Harbor Behavioral Health is offering a free support group for families with autistic children from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at The Harbor located at 7074 Grove Road. The support group is for caregivers of children with autism. Babysitting will not be offered during the meetings, so prior arrangements must be made for child care. For information, call 352-346-1677 or 352-584-1263.

Lymphedema support group

NEW PORT RICHEY Florida Cancer Institute - New Hope will host its Lymphedema support group from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at its center located at 8763 River Crossing Blvd. The group meets the third Thursday of each month at the center. Lindsey Wisniewski, licensed physical therapy assistant at Community Hospital, plans and conducts the meetings. For more information, call Lindsey at 727-845-0757.

Celiac support meeting

CRYSTAL RIVER Celiac Support Meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 28, in the Community Room at the Coastal Region Library, 8619 W. Crystal St. A representative from a new gluten-free bakery will be featured, and samples and products will be available for purchase. Meetings are held the fourth Saturday of each month, and anyone with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis is encouraged to attend. The public is welcome. For more information, call Mary Lou Thomas at 352-628-9559.

Elder Options offers help

Elder Options, of the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging, exists to promote the independence, dignity, health and well-being of elder citizens; to plan, fund and administer a coordinated continuum of services; and to advocate for the needs of older Americans. Anyone who is 60 or older and is being hurt or taken advantage of by someone they know or trust, should report suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation by calling 1-800-96-ELDER or 1-800-965-5337. To report elder abuse, call the confidential Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).

Chatterboxes meet at Care Center

NEW PORT RICHEY Community Chatterboxes meet from 3 to 4 p.m. every other Thursday at Community Hospital Health Care Center, 5400 School Road. Community Chatterboxes is a support group to assist individuals suffering from communication deficits (i.e., aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, etc.) as a result of a cerebral vascular accident or other neurological disorders. The group was originally established for outpatients that had been discharged from traditional speech therapy but still wished an outlet to practice and interact with others with the same problems. Caregivers and spouses are encouraged to attend. For information, call 727-845-0757.

Ostomy Group meets 3rd Thursday

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando County Ostomy Association meets from 2 to 4 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at the Oak Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. New members are welcome. The next scheduled meeting will be held Dec. 17. For more information, call Joan at 352-686-1077 or Ellen at 597-5426.

TOPS meets each Tuesday

SPRING HILL TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 604 of Spring Hill meets from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday at Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd. Weigh-in is held from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., followed by an informative meeting from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meetings include programs offering helpful advice for losing weight. In addition to the meetings, social functions such as auctions, fashion shows and picnics are held throughout the year. For information, call Nancy at 352-592-1088 or Doris at 352-666-9525.

ER wait times available online

HCA Oak Hill Hospital, Community Hospital and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point now post Emergency Room wait times to see a qualified medical practitioner on their Web sites and via text messaging. Visitwww.HCAdocs.org or text ER to 23000.
The Emergency Department wait times for these hospitals is updated approximately every 30 minutes using an average from the previous four hours. Text message responses will include wait times for the nearest HCA Emergency Room, based on the ZIP code provided in the text message.

Memory Loss program at CARES

HUDSON CARES Early Memory Loss Program will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday at the CARES Rao Musunuru, M.D. Enrichment Center, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway. The program is for individuals who are experiencing early memory losses and need a proactive day program to provide social support and memory retraining skills. The CARES "Senior Moments" Early Memory Loss program offers individuals and their families opportunities to reduce the progression and challenges of potential memory disorders through early intervention. For reservations or information, call Christine Powers at 727-868-6363.

Man to Man group meets Monday

BROOKSVILLE Florida Cancer Institute holds its "Man to Man" prostate cancer support group from 6 to 7 p.m. the first Monday of every month at its center located at 7154 Medical Center Drive. Topics that are frequently discussed are: importance of early detection, signs and symptoms, prognosis, disease stages, incontinence, impotence, various treatment options including hormone therapy and medications, and especially the latest research and treatment modalities. Speakers will include physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers and others. For information, call Mary Capo at 352-596-1926.

AFO seeking committee members

NEW PORT RICHEY The Alzheimer's Family Organization (AFO) is seeking committee members for its upcoming charity event, Inaugural Alzheimer's Gala, to be held in January of 2010. The event will consist of dinner and dancing, black tie optional. The volunteers will fundraise, plan and make needed decisions to ensure a successful event. By assisting AFO, committee members will network with local and regional professionals and concerned members of the community, helping those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and their families. For more information, call Kathy at 727-848-8888 or toll free at 1-888-496-8004.

Hearing Clinic held at CARES

HUDSON The St. John's Hearing Institute will hold a hearing clinic at the CARES Rao Musunuru, M.D. Enrichment Center, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, from 9 to 11 a.m. the second Monday of each month. Ear wax checks and ear wax removal, hearing screenings and hearing aid checks will be provided. Participants who wear hearing aids will receive one free package of batteries. Amplified telephones are distributed to the hearing impaired by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service at no charge to qualified Florida residents. For more information, call the Center at 727-868-6363.

RSVP seeking volunteers

BROOKSVILLE The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is seeking volunteers, and the only requirement of the program is to be 55 years of age or older. A representative of the RSVP Welcome Center located at 880 Kennedy Blvd. will find a position that will fit the interests and needs of interested volunteers. Some of the areas available are mentoring, tutoring, teacher's aide, teen pregnancy, Meals on Wheels, senior centers, nature, museum docent or researcher, library, food banks, thrift stores, clerical, and animal care. If interested in volunteering or for more information, call from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 352-796-8117.

Miracle on Wheels qualification

Miracle on Wheels announces that Medicare's regulations make it easier for seniors and others with debilitating conditions such as arthritis, stroke, heart and breathing problems, or diabetes to obtain a power wheelchair at little or no cost. Anyone who is suffering from any condition that severely limits their mobility should call Miracle on Wheels toll-free at 1-800-400-4210.

Co-Dependency group to meet

BROOKSVILLE The Co-Dependency (CoDA) Words of Wisdom (WOW) Group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday at the Salvation Army, 15464 Cortez Blvd. The group is a 12-step fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships. The only requirement for membership is a desire for healthy and fulfilling relationships. For information, call Valarie at 352-596-2492.

'Children Loved' support group

SPRING HILL St. Frances Cabrini Center will offer an "Our Children Loved and Remembered" support group at 7 p.m. the first and third Friday of each month in Room 3 of the Cabrini Center located at 5030 Mariner Blvd. The support group is for parents and grandparents that have lost a child of any age or religion. For information, call Dorothy at 352-684-1369 or Carol at 352-686-1310.

Celebrate Recovery at Life Center

SPRING HILL Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step program for those with hurts, habits and hang-ups, will be held at 7 p.m. Fridays and Mondays at Bridge Family Life Center, aka First Baptist Church, 7279 Pinehurst Drive. The Friday program is a time of worship and a lesson followed by small groups for fellowship and discussion. Child care is provided on Friday nights only. The Monday program is the men's and women's 12-step study groups. For information, call 352-683-2863 or visit the church's Web site at www.firstbaptistchurchsh.com

Yoga classes at Inner Peace

BROOKSVILLE Hatha Yoga classes will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and at 6 p.m. Thursdays at the Inner Peace Bookstore and Wellness Center, 421 West Jefferson St. Bring a mat or towel and bottled water. The cost is $7 per person, but the first yoga class is free of charge with instructor Rachel Oleson, 352-346-8619. For information, call the Bookstore at 352-544-0304.
A Reiki clinic will be held at 7 p.m. each Wednesday at the Inner Peace Bookstore and Wellness Center. Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy, an energy all around people. Reiki allows the person to feel deeply relaxed, calm and peaceful. The cost for the clinic is $10 per person or $22 per month, and Reiki books will be available for purchase. For information, call Maria at 352-544-0304 or Vicki at 352-442-1240.

St. Andrew's offers support groups

SPRING HILL St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2030 Deltona Blvd., is offering the following Community Support Groups:
Divorce Care will meet at 7:30 p.m. in Krysher Hall of the church. Trained facilitators can assist and give support to people who are separated or divorced. For more information, call Geri at 352-683-7013.
Griefshare will meet from 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday. The program is for people who have lost a spouse or close friend. Trained facilitators will be available to offer advice and support. For information, call the church office at 352-683-2010. Both programs are ongoing and can be joined at any time.

Outreach Center offers support

SPRING HILL Beautiful Mind Outreach Center, 10554 Spring Hill Drive, in the Brothers I and II Plaza, is a self-help rehabilitation and recreation center which helps those with a mental illness help themselves and also offers support and education to their families. The Center provides support groups, education groups, friendship groups, bingo, arts and crafts, computer classes, bowling, scrapbooking, guest speakers, social activities and more. For information, call the Center at 352-684-0004 or Ginny at 352-686-2687.

Brooksville Regional introduces EUS

BROOKSVILLE Brooksville Regional Hospital has introduced its full-service gastrointestinal program incorporating a relatively new procedure, the Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS). EUS combines the techniques of endoscopy and ultrasound examination to obtain images and information about various parts of the digestive tract through a less invasive procedure than surgery. The procedure enables physicians to detect and determine treatment for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, masses and lesions in body tissues at earlier stages, as well as determine how aggressively these masses should be treated. The hospital is located at 17240 Cortez Blvd. For information, call 352-799-5019 or visit www.BrooksvilleRegional.net.

Grief Share at Wesleyan Church

Brooksville Wesleyan Church will conduct Grief Share sessions at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the church located at 8168 Jasmine Drive, Brooksville. Sessions are designed for anyone who has recently lost a loved one. Seminar sessions will include "The Journey of Grief," "When Your Spouse Dies," and other related topics. All are welcome. For information, call 352-799-3066.

DivorceCare classes at Christian Church

WEEKI WACHEE Christian Church in the Wildwood will conduct DivorceCare classes at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The classes will meet weekly for 13 weeks in Building C, Room 204, of the church located at 10051 Country Road. For information, visit www.divorcecare.org or call 352-596-1388 Ext. 810.

DivorceCare meetings

SPRING HILL DivorceCare divorce recovery seminar and support group will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 5030 Mariner Blvd. Seminar sessions will include "Facing My Anger," "Facing My Loneliness," "Depression," "New Relationships," "KidCare" and "Forgiveness." For information, call 352-686-9954 Ext. 409.

Mid-Florida Services provides meals

Mid-Florida Community Services provides nutritious meals year-round to seniors age 60 and over. Seniors are welcome to visit any one of its four dining sites within the county. In addition, the Meals on Wheels program provides nutritious lunches five days a week to seniors who are homebound. The daily contact by the program's volunteers ensures a visit by someone who provides companionship, while checking on the person's health and well being. Volunteers are welcome, and donations are appreciated. For information, call 352-796-1425 or 352-796-0485.

Arc seeking volunteers

Arc Nature Coast is seeking volunteers for its POSSE Program, Enrichment Program at the Community Café or Neff Lake Road facility, any of several office locations, community outings and special events. Applications and background screenings are required for any position which involves direct contact with customers. There is a one-time fee of $28 for submission of paperwork to two outside agencies. Orientation and tours of the facilities will be available to all volunteers. For information and application forms, contact John DiRienzo at jdirienzo@thearc-naturecoast.org or by calling 352-544-2322.

Leukemia group meets Tuesday

SPRING HILL The Florida Cancer Institute's Leukemia/Lymphoma Support Group will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Florida Cancer Institute's Spring Hill Center, 10441 Quality Drive, Suite 203, in the Medical Arts Building, next to Spring Hill Regional Hospital. Topics that are frequently discussed are: the importance of early detection, signs and symptoms of leukemia-lymphoma, prognosis, disease stages, the various treatment options, and especially the latest research and treatment modalities. For information, call Jeff Haight, R.N., support group facilitator, at 352-688-7744.

Overeaters Anon. lists meetings

Overeaters Anonymous holds meetings in Hernando County for anyone who is suffering from compulsive overeating, food addictions, anorexia or bulimia. The 12-step program is held as follows:
From 1 to 2 p.m. every Friday at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in the Coulton Building of the church located at 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.
From 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday at DaySpring Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall, 6000 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. For information, call Karen at 352-200-8433.

Hearing services has phones

PORT RICHEY Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Florida has recently announced the addition of several new telephones, ttys and captioned telephones which are available through its no-charge equipment distribution program.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers amplified telephones and related equipment free of charge to permanent Florida residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind or speech-impaired.
The telecommunications access program is funded by a surcharge on all landline phones in Florida. Equipment is available Monday through Friday at the Main Office located at 8610 Galen Wilson Blvd. or at satellite locations throughout Pasco and Hernando counties.
For information or to make an appointment, call 727-853-1010 or 1-866-685-9477.

Medicare recipients eligible for wheelchair

All Medicare recipients should now be aware that if they suffer from conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disorders, and have difficulty walking or propelling a standard wheelchair, they may be eligible to receive an electric wheelchair paid for by Medicare. For information on Medicare eligibility, call 1-800-810-2877.

Grief support group meets Fridays

SPRING HILL Survivors Grief Support Group meets at 1 p.m. Fridays in Conference Room 1 of Oak Hill Hospital located at 11375 Cortez Blvd. Everyone is welcome. For information, call Rose at 352-596-6752.

Enrichment Centers list activities

Department of Veteran Services of Hernando County will be addressing concerns and answering questions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday at the Brooksville Enrichment Center, 670 Broad St., Brooksville; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday at the Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Capri Home Care will be checking blood pressure and will host a question-answer session about general health concerns from 10 to 11 a.m. every Thursday at the Brooksville Enrichment Center. Contours Express will be sending a personal trainer to assist the exercise class at 8:45 a.m. every Wednesday at the Brooksville Enrichment Center. A volunteer will take blood pressure Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Spring Hill and Tuesdays at Brooksville. Support groups are available, such as Parkinson's, diabetic, Alzheimer's, Ostomy, nurses, well spouse and breast cancer. For information, call the Spring Hill Enrichment Center at 352-597-6331 or the Brooksville Enrichment Center at 352-544-5900.

Wishes on Wheels has wheelchairs

Wishes on Wheels has electric power wheelchairs available for nonambulatory senior citizens 65 years old and up, and the permanently disabled of any age, if they qualify.
For information, call 1-800-823-5220 or visit www.threewishes2.com.

SHINE opens new site

SPRING HILL SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) has opened a new site at the Little Red Schoolhouse located at 1208 Kenlake Ave., off Spring Hill Drive. Trained SHINE volunteers will be available from 11 a.m. to noon every Wednesday. Volunteers will offer information and assistance with Medicare, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare supplemental insurance, Medicaid programs, and prescription assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. They can also provide valuable information about Medicare to persons soon to turn 65. SHINE is a statewide program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Multiple SHINE sites are open in Hernando County; call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-262-2243 for site locations or to be referred to a SHINE counselor.

Bereavement group meets

SPRING HILL Loved & Remembered Support Group is a new support group that will meet at 7 p.m. every other Friday in the Cabrini Center at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 5030 Mariner Blvd. The group is open to all parents and grandparents who have lost a child at any age due to any cause. For information, call Dorothy at 352-684-1369 or Carole at 352-686-1310.

WOW program offered at YMCA

SPRING HILL Hernando County Family YMCA is offering a new Working on Weights program that meets twice a week for four weeks on the Wellness Floor of the facility located at 1300 Mariner Blvd. The program features one-on-one instruction with a personal wellness trainer to help achieve personal goals while addressing personal limitations and comforts. For information, call Olivia Matles at 352-688-9622.

Yoga in the park

BROOKSVILLE Yoga in the park will be offered Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at Hernando Park, 205 East Fort Dade Ave. The cost is $7. For information, call Rachel at 352-263-4923 or Hernando County Recreation Department at 352-754-4031.

Editor's note: Healthy Happenings events will be listed in the print edition as space permits. E-mail submissions to Karen Raimondi at kraimondi@hernandotoday.com or to Paula Nelson, special sections editor, at pnelson@hernandotoday.com.