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Health and support

By Times Staff
Published June 19, 2006

Blood pressure screens are provided free of charge (unless noted otherwise) at the following locations. To add a location, call Tom O'Brien, 527-5560.

Beverly Hills: Blood pressure machine locations: CVS/pharmacy, 3506 N Lecanto Highway: 746-7878; Winn-Dixie food stores, 3565 N Lecanto Highway: 746-0096.

Crystal River: Blood pressure machine locations: Publix supermarket, 6760 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal Springs Shopping Center: 795-5393; Kmart, 1801 NW U.S. 19, Crystal River Mall: 563-5995; CVS/pharmacy, 327 NE U.S. 19: 795-7262. Screenings by appointment at Citrus County Health Department, 117 NW U.S. 19: 795-6233 ($6).

Dunnellon: Blood pressure machine locations: Winn-Dixie food stores, 10051 S U.S. 41: 465-2002. Screenings: 10 a.m.-noon Fridays, Dunnellon Diagnostic Center, 11673 N Williams St.: 489-7211.

Hernando: Blood pressure machine location: Publix supermarket, 2685 N Forest Ridge Blvd., Shoppes of Citrus Hills: 527-6554.

Homosassa: Blood pressure machine locations: CVS/pharmacy, 3950 Suncoast Blvd.: 628-2479; Wal-Mart, 3826 S Suncoast Blvd.: 628-4334; Winn-Dixie food stores, 3792 S Suncoast Blvd.: 628-2188.

Inverness: Blood pressure machine locations: CVS/pharmacy, 602 W Main St.: 726-9030; Kmart, 1660 N U.S. 41: 637-5600; Wal-Mart Supercenter, 2851 Gulf to Lake Highway: 637-2400. Screenings by appointment at Citrus County Health Department, 120 N Montgomery Ave.: 726-1731 ($6); 10-11 a.m. first Friday monthly, Citrus Memorial Health System, in the hospital auditorium on Grace Street: 344-6513.

Lecanto: Screenings by appointment at Citrus County Health Department, 3700 W Sovereign Path: 527-0068 ($6).

Nutrition

TOPS FL387: 3 p.m. (weigh-in), 4 p.m. (meeting) Mondays; Beverly Hills Community Center, 1 Civic Circle, Beverly Hills. Call 527-8405.

TOPS FL607: 8-8:50 a.m. (weigh-in), 9 a.m. (meeting) Wednesdays at the Floral City Community Building, 8370 E Orange Ave., next to the library. Call 637-3433.

TOPS FL743: 7:30-8:45 a.m. (weigh-in), 9 (meeting) Wednesdays, Hernando Civic Center, 3848 E Parsons Point Road, Hernando. Call Sylvia, 637-6553, or Janet, 489-2747.

Family Life/Relationships

HEALTHY START: A comprehensive program of maternal and child health services. It offers information about proper nutrition during pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding education, child development and smoking-cessation information. To see if you qualify for free Healthy Start services, call toll-free at 1-800-451-2229 or ask your doctor for the Healthy Start questionnaire.

WIC: A supplemental food and nutrition education program for women, infants and children. Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or postpartum, and infants and children 5 or younger are eligible to participate. The WIC program provides vouchers for food packages. Apply at the WIC office in the county health department offices by calling Inverness, 726-5222; Lecanto, 527-8490; or Crystal River, 795-2261.

THE CENTERS: Parenting program by appointment 5-7 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays in Inverness. Free five-week class for parents of children ages 9 to 14 teaches how to reduce risk of drug problems including alcohol, all forms of tobacco, inhalants and all legal and illegal drugs. For appointment and directions, call Darlene Walker, 302-6650.

Adoption

PREGNANCY AND FAMILY LIFE CENTER: The center offers free adoption services and provides counseling, labor support, financial assistance, family selection and confidentiality. Call 344-3030 or visit the center at 317 W Tompkins St., Inverness.

Shut-ins

SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS: Over 60 and want to earn some extra income while helping fellow senior citizens? Income-eligible Senior Companion Program volunteers receive a stipend, mileage reimbursement, an annual physical, supplemental accident and liability insurance, preservice and ongoing training, and recognition events. Eligible annual income levels cannot exceed $12,250 per single or $16,500 per couple. Volunteers undergo 40 hours of paid training and serve an average of 20 hours per week providing companionship, respite care and escorted transportation for clients. Volunteers do not need medical or technical skills. For eligibility information, call Sue Carscadden, 527-5959.

Elder Affairs

DOCTOR RIDE: Provides free transportation to those 65 and older who are alone, unable to drive and have no family to provide transportation for medical appointments within Citrus County. Appointments require a three- to four-day notice and one ride is offered per week. To request service, call 628-5224.

MEDICARE COUNSELING: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, or SHINE, trained volunteers offer free, unbiased, confidential assistance to Medicare recipients with Medicare billing problems, denial of claims, Medigap Supplemental and PPO plans, Medicare Part D, long-term care insurance and Medicaid entitlements. SHINE is administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and overseen by Medicare. For an appointment at Citrus Memorial Health System SHARE Club 9 a.m.-noon Mondays, call 344-6513 (SHARE Club affiliation not required). For an appointment at other Citrus County sites, leave your name and telephone number with Citrus County Senior Care Services, 527-5930. A SHINE representative will return your call. No appointment required: 9 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Crider Clardy Law Firm PA, 521 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River; 12:30 -4 p.m. Thursdays, Citrus County Resource Center, 2804 W Marc Knighton Court, Lecanto; 9 a.m.-noon Fridays at Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center (check in at the volunteer desk in the lobby).

Mental health

THE CENTERS: offers outpatient mental health therapy for adults and children in an individual or group setting. An anger management class for adults and children is forming. Medicaid and most insurance accepted. Call 628-5020.

THE DROP IN CENTER: open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 107 Martin Luther King Blvd., Inverness. Facility provides opportunities for those with mental illness to independently develop, operate and participate in social, recreational and networking activities. Call 726-6477 or 628-5020.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION/EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS SUPPORT GROUP: meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays in the Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center, Medical Office Building, 6201 N Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River. The free support group, not affiliated with SRRMC, is for people with emotional difficulties, anxiety, stress or depression. Call Meg, (352) 526-2443.

NAMI MEETING: The Citrus County Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill talk circle begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a speaker at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday monthly, fellowship hall of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 439 E Norvell Bryant Highway, Hernando.

Learning disabilities

FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF RETARDED ADULTS: coffee and refreshments served at 9 a.m., business meeting at 9:30 a.m., educational program at 10 a.m. second Friday monthly, Chet Cole Life Enrichment Center, Key Training Center, 5521 W Buster Whitton Way, Lecanto. FFRA is an organization benefitting mentally disabled adults and their families/guardians providing information, support and activities. Call Stephanie, 344-0288, or Joan, 344-9580; or Carol, 746-6325.

Alzheimer's disease/dementia

WANDERERS IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM: The Alzheimer's Family Organization offers a program that provides people with memory disorders an identifying bracelet or pendant with a code number and direct telephone number to the participating sheriff's department. If that person becomes lost or wanders away, he or she can be identified through a shared database of essential patient information and caregiver contacts. The program is free for members (membership is $25); nonmembers $20. Call toll-free, 1-888-496-8004.

RESPITE REIMBURSEMENT: Alzheimer's Family Organization offers monetary reimbursement for respite costs through its respite assistance program for patients with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The organization also provides national respite resources that can reimburse costs to caregivers. The free program is available to residents of Citrus, Hernando, Sumter and Lake counties. Call (727) 848-8888 or toll-free, 1-888-496-8004.

ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT: The Alzheimer's Family Organization offers the following support groups. For information on the groups or respite care, call 795-9500, toll-free 1-888-496-8004 or the number indicated.

Hernando: 10 a.m. June 29, Woodland Terrace, 124 W Norvell Bryant Highway. 249-3100.

FLORIDA GULF COAST CHAPTER of the Alzheimer's Association is at 4108 Lamson Ave., Spring Hill. For information and referral, care consultations, caregiver training, support group meetings, respite care assistance and safe return, call toll free, 1-800-772-8672.

ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT: The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association offers the following support groups:

Inverness: 11 a.m. first Tuesday monthly, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 550 U.S. 41 S. Call Wendy Hall, 527-4600.

Lecanto: 2 p.m. second Tuesday monthly, Surrey Place, 2730 W Marc Knighton Court. Call Paula Hum, 746-9500.

RESPITE CARE: for people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-related illnesses in the Care Connection; a four-hour program run by trained volunteers at Our Lady of Grace Parish Center, 6 Roosevelt Blvd., Beverly Hills. The respite group meets at 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Fee is $15. To enroll, call Catholic Charities toll-free, 1-800-242-9012. Religious affiliation not required.

CAREGIVER RESPITE PROGRAM: sponsored by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for full-time caregivers of people who cannot fully care for themselves. The program is 12:30-4:30 p.m. Fridays at the church, 439 E Norvell Bryant Highway. Refreshments served; space is limited and registration is required. Call the church office, 746-7161.

Hospice

TRANSITIONS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: free eight-week grief group for adults who have experienced a loss, 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 1, no meeting July 4, Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center, Medical Offices building, 6201 N Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River. Offered by Hernando Pasco Hospice and facilitated by a trained bereavement counselor. Late participants welcome. To register, call 527-4600.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING: Hernando-Pasco Hospice offers volunteer training 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, HPH office, 2417 N Lecanto Highway, Lecanto. Volunteers visit one or more patients in their area for a few hours weekly and read aloud, talk, do crossword puzzles or just quietly sit with patients. Volunteers can help in the office, answering phones, filing, writing letters or working on the computer. Call Carl, 527-4600.

HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUP/SOCIAL SUPPORT: Hospice of Citrus County offers weekly meetings of social fellowship and/or support groups for individuals of hospice and nonhospice families. Call for schedule of workshops for the newly bereaved, 527-2020.

Beverly Hills: Support group meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Unity Church of Citrus County, 2628 W Woodview Lane; 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 6 Roosevelt Blvd.

Homosassa: Support group at 1:30 p.m. Thursdays, St. Thomas Catholic Church, 7040 S Suncoast Blvd.; support group at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, First United Methodist Church, 8831 W Bradshaw St.; 4 p.m. Thursdays, First Christian Church of Chassahowitzka, 11275 S Riviera Drive.

Crystal River: Social support at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Crystal Paradise, 508 N Citrus Ave.; support group for bereaved parents 7 p.m. the second Wednesday monthly, First Presbyterian Church, 1501 SE U.S. 19.

Inverness: Social support at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, First Presbyterian Church, 206 Washington Ave.; 4 p.m. Fridays, Cinnamon Sticks restaurant, 2120 State Road 44 W.

Camp Good Hope: for ages 7-17 who have lost a family member or friend. Call for details, 527-2020.

American Cancer Society

LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER: A free two-hour makeup and wig demonstration for cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy, 10 a.m. third Friday monthly, Lakes Region Library, 1511 Druid Road, Inverness. Patients receive a free makeup kit, turbans and caps. To make a reservation, call Mildred Roseberry, 746-7212.

HIV/AIDS

FREE TESTING/COUNSELING: Citrus County Health Department offers free confidential HIV/AIDS counseling and testing by appointment. Call the office nearest you: Inverness, 726-1731; Lecanto, 527-0068; and Crystal River, 795-6233.

CASA

DOMESTIC ABUSE: The Citrus Abuse Shelter Association offers Women's Domestic Abuse Support Groups at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Child care available during evening sessions. Meetings and child care are free. For locations, call CASA at 344-8111.

Victims' rights

CENTER FOR VICTIM RIGHTS: Independent victim advocate offers free assistance to victims of violent crime and their families, and access to resources that can assist them in time of crisis. Speakers are available for groups wanting to know about victims' rights. For information, call the center, 628-6481. To schedule a speaker, call Peggy, 628-5102.

[Last modified June 19, 2006, 08:28:15]