Health & support
By TIMES WIRES
Published December 14, 2006
Alzheimer's Association: Caregiver support groups are offered at several locations:
- 2:30 p.m. the first Friday of each month, Lykes Memorial Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. Jerry Fisher, 688-4537.
- 2 p.m. the second Thursday of each month, Spring Oaks, 7251 Grove Road, Brooksville. Marty Glass, 592-1150.
- 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month, Crown Pointe Senior Living Community, 11291 County Line Road, Spring Hill. Sandy Croson, 799-1422.
- 2 p.m. the third Monday of each month, Residence at Timber Pines, 3140 Forest Road, Spring Hill. Diane Koenig, 683-9009.
Alzheimer's Family Organization: The following programs are offered through the Alzheimer's Family Organization to residents of Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, Sumter and Lake counties:
- Caregiver support groups - 2 p.m. Tuesday, Brookridge clubhouse, 8150 Hampton St., Brookridge. A weekly group meets 1 p.m. Mondays, Spring Hill Enrichment Center behind Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Maria Curley, (727) 856-2196.
- Respite Assistance Program - Respite assistance is provided for caregivers of a dementia or Alzheimer's disease sufferer. The Alzheimer's Family Organization also will provide other national respite resources that can reimburse costs to caregivers.
- Wanderers Identification Program - This program provides the person with a memory disorder with an identifying bracelet or pendant with a code number and direct telephone number to the participating sheriff's office. If the person becomes lost or wanders from home, they can be easily identified through a shared database that houses essential patient information and caregiver contacts.
For information, call AFO at (727) 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.
National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI Hernando: NAMI Hernando offers the following:
- General monthly meeting, 1 p.m. Wednesday, at the Beautiful Mind, 10554 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Darlene, 686-0004.
- "Family-to-Family" education series, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, starting Jan. 11, at the Beautiful Mind, 10554 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. These classes are structured to help family members understand and support ill relatives, while maintaining their own well-being. The course is taught by a team of trained volunteer family members. There is no cost to participate. However, since space is limited to 20 participants, registration is required. Bill or Judy, 544-0352.
- The "Beautiful Mind" consumer-run drop-in center, 10554 Spring Hill Drive (Brothers I and II Plaza), Spring Hill. This is a self-help rehabilitation and recreation center for consumers and provides support groups, computer classes, bingo, arts and crafts, speakers and social activities. The center is in need of donations, including paper plates, hot and cold cups, napkins, plastic ware, copy paper, soda, coffee, snacks and gift certificates. Call the center at 684-0004, or Darlene at 686-0004.
- Consumer Friendship Group meets 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays at the Beautiful Mind. This is an informal group for those with mental illness to visit and socialize. Call the center.
- Family Support Group, 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays (meets separately from the friendship group), at the Beautiful Mind. This is a group for families of the mentally ill to exchange insights about mental illness and learn how others are coping. Call Darlene, 686-0004.
- A Speakers Group is available to area church, civic and social organizations. Call Darlene, 686-0004.
Aripeka
Alcoholics Anonymous: Open speaker group, 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Aripeka Community Center, Osowaw Boulevard. 683-4597.
Brooksville
Hernando County Ostomy Association: Christmas party, noon Friday, Golden Corral, 940 Broad St. Joan, 686-1077, or Nancy, 597-7933.
Hernando Beach
Alcoholics Anonymous: Open discussion, noon Tuesdays, First Baptist Church of Hernando Beach, 4446 Shoal Line Blvd. 683-4597.
Spring Hill
Compassionate Friends: 7 p.m. today, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. Bereaved parents, siblings and anyone who has experienced the death of a child at any age, whether recent or long ago, are invited. Diane, 592-9924.
"Health and Nutritional Supplements" Seminar: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Hernando Endoscopy and Surgery Center conference center, Hernando Medical Park, 12208 Cortez Blvd. The speaker will be Dr. Jeremy McConnell, who is board certified in internal medicine. Discussion will be on using supplements wisely. Refreshments will be served. The seminar is free, but seating is limited and reservations are a must. 596-4999.
"Look Good, Feel Better" Program for Female Cancer Patients: 3 to 5 p.m. today, Florida Cancer Institute, 7154 Medical Center Drive. The free program is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients experiencing side effects from treatment. The program is open to all women cancer patients, not just Florida Cancer Institute patients. Reservations required. Mary Capo, 596-1926, ext. 150.
Moving On: 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Perkins Family Restaurant, 4685 Commercial Way. This is a self-help organization for seniors or others who have difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one. An optional lunch will follow the meeting. Marilyn, 597-5315, or Bill, 683-7409.
Narcotics Anonymous: Let It Go group (open discussion), 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Hope Community Bible Church, 13241 Spring Hill Drive. Vision of Hope group (closed discussion book study), 7 p.m. Sundays, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd. Work Your Program group, 8 p.m. Fridays, Grace Lutheran Church, 411 Mariner Blvd. The Last Straw group, 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, A Club, 18922 Titus Road, off County Line Road. 754-7200.
Overeaters Anonymous: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Spring Hill Health and Rehab, 12170 Cortez Blvd.; Pat, 688-1236, or Ernie, 596-4082. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Fridays, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd.; Pat, 688-1236, or Dee, 686-4213.
Weeki Wachee
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way. Judie Phelps, 666-6885.
Citrus County
HOMOSASSA
The Latest Advances in Cardiovascular Care for You: 9 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sugarmill Woods Country Club, 1 Douglas St. Sponsored by the Heart Institute at Oak Hill Hospital. The speaker will be Dr. Michael Moore. Following the presentation, there will be a health fair and health screenings until 11 a.m. Health screenings include glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, legs for life paper screenings and heel scan for osteoporosis. Refreshments will be served. Seating limited. Call for reservations. (352) 628-6060.
Information for the Health and Support column should be submitted to Phyllis Day, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613. Information can be faxed to 754-6133 or e-mailed to day@sptimes.com The deadline for this news is seven working days before your event or reservation deadline. Information cannot be published if the time, date, place, ticket price (if applicable) or contact person and phone number are missing. For information about the Health and Support column, call 754-6101 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.