Health Events 0311

Restless Legs group

to hold meeting

SPRING HILL Restless Legs Support Group will hold its bi-monthly meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at the Florida Sleep Institute, 4075 Mariner Blvd. An open discussion meeting will be featured. If interested in attending or for information, call Betty or Bill Kinahan at 352-200-5440 or e-mail confirmation to bkinahan@tampabay.rr.com.

Respite Room

at First UMC

SPRING HILL First United Methodist Church of Spring Hill will feature The Respite Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday in Burns Hall of the church located at 9344 Spring Hill Drive. The Respite Room provides a weekly program for persons with memory challenges such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease. This opportunity enables a person to be part of a social setting and participate in activities that are specially designed with them in mind. The program provides caregivers a brief break from tasks and time for themselves. Also, a caregivers support group meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of the month. For information, call Chris Powers at 727-863-6868.

CPR training at Enrichment Center

BROOKSVILLE Two separate CPR classes will be offered at 6 p.m. Thursdays, March 18, April 1 and April 22, at the Spring Hill Enrichment Center in the rear of Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd. The class meets the guidelines of the American Heart Association and the American Safety and Health Institute. At the successful completion of the class, the student will receive a two-year certification card. The cost is $20 per person for the complete course to include CPR and Automated External Defribulation. Since seating is limited, early reservations are advisable. For reservations or information call 352-597-8875.

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. The next scheduled meeting will be held March 18. 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.

Time for Remembrance Services at HPH Hospice

BROOKSVILLE HPH Hospice (HPH) will host its semi-annual interfaith Time for Remembrance services for adults, teens and children who would like to remember and honor loved ones who have passed from their sight but not from their hearts. The hour-long services will be held rain or shine at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 at the HPH campus located at 12260 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville.

Facilitated by HPH chaplains with support from bereavement counselors, the services will include music, poetry, readings and the opportunity to remember one's loved one in a very special way. Anyone in the community who has experienced the death of someone close to them is welcome and there is no charge to participate or need to make a reservation. For more information, call 800-486-8784 or visit www.HPH-Hospice.org.

Chronic pain

workshop

SPRING HILL Foundation for Wellness Professionals will present a workshop on natural, non-drug solutions for chronic pain from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. Guest speaker Mary Bristow, A.P. DOM, will offer the presentation on how natural health care can help eliminate chronic pain. The workshop is free of charge, and the public is welcome. Since space is limited, reservations are required. For reservations or information, call 352-597-0082.

Neuropathy seminar

at Martinez Chiro

SPRING HILL Martinez Chiropractic will offer a seminar entitled "Understanding Neuropathy" at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at Wellington at Seven Hills, 400 Wexford Blvd., off Mariner Boulevard. Dr. Robert Martinez will present the seminar, which is free of charge. Topics will include seven signs of neuropathy, what it is and who gets it, how it affects a person, and available treatments. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. For reservations or information, call Susan at 352-686-1686.

Hearing screenings

1st and 4th Monday

SPRING HILL Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Florida will offer free hearing screenings and wax removal from 9:30 to 11 a.m. the first and fourth Monday of every month at Mrs. Mobility located at 11163 Spring Hill Drive, just east of Mariner Boulevard. Also, free amplified telephones from Florida Telecommunication Relay will be available to those that qualify. To schedule an appointment or for information, call 1-866-685-9477 or 727-853-1010.

Weight Loss Club

meets at Candlelite

BROOKSVILLE Candlelite Fitness Center will sponsor a Weight Loss Club at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the Fitness Center located at 955 Candlelight Blvd., off U.S. 41. The new 13-week weight loss program will continue every Wednesday through April 28. Weigh-in, measuring, and before-and-after pictures will be conducted at 6 p.m. Different special events; guest speakers about food and weight loss; and games, contests and prizes will be featured at 6:30 p.m. A food chart will be available to fill out to measure intake, along with a test to determine body fat percentage. A reward will be given to the "biggest loser." A $7 fee will be charged for the first meeting, and $2 per class for the remainder of the program. Members and non-members are welcome, and anyone can join at any time during the program. For more information, call 352-799-1977.

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.

Lymphedema

support group

NEW PORT RICHEY Florida Cancer Institute - New Hope will host its Lymphedema support group from 3 to 4 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at its center located at 8763 River Crossing Blvd. The next scheduled meeting will be held March 18. Lindsey Wisniewski, licensed physical therapy assistant at Community Hospital, plans and conducts the meetings. For information, call Lindsey at 727-845-0757.

Birthplace to hold super-prep class

NEW PORT RICHEY The Birthplace at Community Hospital will conduct its Childbirth Super-Prep class from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at the Birthplace located at 5637 Marine Parkway. The super-prep class is a one-day accelerated refresher course, and the fee is $50 per person. Reservations are required. For information or to register for classes, call 1-727-834-5630.

The Birthplace will also offer a motivational class outlining the health benefits of breastfeeding from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Community Hospital located at 5637 Marine Parkway. The class will focus on fundamentals and how to access support. Reservations are required. To register or for information, call 727-834-5630.

'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 March 25. 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 March 17. For information, call Peggy Beckett, R.N., support group facilitator, at 352-688-7744.

Volunteer positions

available at Oak Hill

SPRING HILL Oak Hill Hospital Volunteer Association has a wide range of volunteer opportunities at the hospital located at 11375 Cortez Blvd. Morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available in both patient contact and non-patient contact areas. For more information, call Bob Dixon, Oak Hill Hospital Volunteer Association president, at 352-597-3038.

Cancer Institute

to host caregivers

SPRING HILL The Florida Cancer Institute holds its Caregiver Support Group at 4 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Florida Cancer Institute's Spring Hill Center located at 10441 Quality Drive, Suite 203, in the Medical Arts Building next to Spring Hill Regional Hospital. For information, call Pamela McGee, support group facilitator, at 352-688-7744.

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.

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. New members, both men and women, are welcome. For information, call Nancy at 352-592-1088 or Doris at 352-666-9525.

Grief Share at

Wesleyan Church

BROOKSVILLE Brooksville Wesleyan Church will conduct Grief Share sessions at 1:30 p.m. every Thursday at the church located at 8168 Jasmine Drive. Sessions are designed for anyone who has recently lost a loved one. All are welcome. For information, call 352-799-3066.

Ostomy Group

meets Thursdays

BROOKSVILLE 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. For information, call Joan at 352-686-1077 or Ellen at 597-5426.

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.

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.

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.

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. Visit www.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.

Health Dept. offers

childbirth classes

SPRING HILL Hernando County Health Department/Nature Coast Community Health Center will offer Childbirth Education classes from 6 to 8 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. To register or for information, call Susan DeLise at 352-540-6819.

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).

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