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Health and support

By TIME SWIRES
Published March 22, 2007

Alcoholics Anonymous: For Hernando County locations, call 683-4597.

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 events to benefit the Alzheimer's Family Organization have been scheduled:

- Chasco "Main Street" Mile, Saturday, at Schwettman Education Center on the corner of Grand Boulevard and Gulf Drive, New Port Richey. This is a 1-mile competitive foot race along the Chasco Fiesta Parade route. Registration will be at 10 a.m. and the race will start at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for students and $15 for adults if paid in advance; $20 for all at the event. T-shirts will be given to participants while supplies last. Register online at www.active.com or call AFO. Proceeds will benefit AFO and the Gulf High School Athletics Booster Club.

- 2007 Rally to Remember, March 31, at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey. There will be 5K and 10K foot races, a 10K inline skate, a 10K, 25K, 50K and a 100K bicycle tour, a 16K off-road mountain bike race, a junior mountain bike race, an 8K off-road foot race and a 1-mile walk/fun run. All registrations will begin at 7 a.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for ages 15 and younger and includes a T-shirt, refreshments and a goody bag. IHOP will provide pancakes, and hot dogs will be available during lunchtime. Prizes will be awarded. Funds raised with benefit individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families in Pasco County.

Call AFO at 727 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.

AFO also offers the following programs to residents in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, Sumter and Lake counties:

-Caregiver support groups - 1 p.m. Wednesday, Hernando Beach Club, 3165 Flamingo Blvd., Hernando Beach; Betty Breeden, 596-2442. 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.

American Cancer Society Needs Volunteers for "Road to Recovery" Program: There is a desperate need for drivers for the Road to Recovery program in Hernando County. Volunteer drivers provide transportation for local cancer patients to and from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Schedules are flexible and training is provided. Requirements include a safe driving record, valid driver's license, insurance and a smoke-free vehicle in good condition. Call Joan at 799-9078.

Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program: This program is a service provided by the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging. It provides one-time assistance for households with both an energy crisis and a member who is 60 or older. An energy crisis is a shutoff or impending shutoff of electricity, a lack of heating supplies or a broken heating system. The program helps the household by providing assistance with paying the electric bill, buying heating supplies or fixing the heating system.

To be eligible, the household must meet income guidelines by household size. To find a service provider or apply for the program, call the Elder Helpline toll-free at 1-800-963-5337.

The Mid-Florida area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit organization in Gainesville that serves 16 counties, including Hernando, as an advocate and focal point to develop coordinated and comprehensive services for the elderly.

Free Antibiotic Drug Program: Sunshine Wellness Center has a free antibiotic drug program that covers leading, oral generic antibiotics, with a special focus on prescriptions most often filled for children. There is no membership fee or fees. The center is located at 90 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville. 796-7200.

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind Needs Volunteer Van Drivers: Volunteers are needed to drive Lighthouse vans to transport clients to and from classes each week. Drivers are asked to do one run per week, picking up four to five people in the Spring Hill and Brooksville areas. The Lighthouse is a nonprofit organization that provides blind and visually impaired individuals with the skills needed to achieve maximum independence. The Lighthouse's Hernando County facility is on California Street in Brooksville. Those interested in volunteering as a van driver, or for information, call Dawn at 754-1132.

Narcotics Anonymous: For local locations, call 754-7200.

News Service for the Blind: The Hernando-East Pasco chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida offers a free Newsline service, an electronic text-to-speech national network that delivers both national and local newspapers, using synthetic speech, over conventional local telephone lines. The service is geared for the blind and print-impaired. Seven Florida newspapers are available through Newsline, including the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Tribune, Bradenton Herald, Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, Tallahassee Democrat and Palm Beach Post. Users also have access to USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post and New York Times. To enroll, call the Florida Talking-Book Library toll-free 1-800-226-6075. For information, call David Bearden at 754-2808 or Susan Cook at 584-0263.

Senior Rx Assistance Program: This program is for Hernando County residents 60 or older who need financial assistance in purchasing prescription medications. For details, call 597-6331 or stop by the Oak Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind the hospital), Spring Hill. This is a nonprofit organization; donations are tax-deductible.

SHINE Program Assists Seniors with Health Insurance: The Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers the free SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) at the following locations in Hernando County:

- 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays at Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind Oak Hill Hospital), Spring Hill.

- 11 a.m. to noon Fridays, Spring Hill Branch/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. This site will be closed Nov. 10, but will be open Nov. 9 instead.

SHINE counselors offer information and assistance with Medicare (figuring out paperwork, bills and filing appeals), Medicare supplemental insurance, Medicare prescription drug coverage, long-term care planning and pharmaceutical assistance programs.

No appointments are necessary. For information or for counseling locations outside of Hernando County, call the Elder Hotline toll-free at 1-800-262-2243.

Weight Watchers: For Hernando County locations, call toll-free 1-800-651-6000.

Brooksville

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 208: 6 p.m. today, Gulf Ridge Park Baptist Church, 20200 Manecke Road. Linda, 796-1236.

Ridge Manor/ Ridge Manor West

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 530: 8:15 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, First Lutheran Church of Ridge Manor West, 30419 Park Ridge Drive. Eve, 796-0477.

Spring Hill

Fibromyalgia Support Group: 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 4, West Hernando/Staffordene T. Foggia Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave. There will be a speaker who will discuss alternative approaches to treating fibromyalgia. Those who have been diagnosed with this syndrome are invited. The group shares the latest information on current research, medications, alternative approaches and personal experiences. Irene, 666-2803 or Joan, 686-0238.

"For Your Health" Seminar to Discuss Advaned Knee and Hip Replacement: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., fourth floor classroom (Entrance C). The speaker will be Dr. Jared Salinsky. Refreshments will be served. There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited and reservations are advised. 597-6333.

Health Fair at Genesis Health and Fitness: 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, 8411 Balm St. The fair will include a blood drive with the LifeSouth bloodmobile, free cholesterol and glucose screenings, a breast cancer surgeon who will teach proper self-exams for women, a chiropractor who will analyze posture, chair massages with a massage therapist, permanent make-up specialist, fitness experts and a podiatrist who will give analyses and arch recommendations to those with foot problems. Admission is free. 597-9383.

Hernando-Pasco Hospice to Host Community Remembrance Ceremonies: Two ceremonies are scheduled at 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, West Hernando campus, 12260 Cortez Blvd.. Each ceremony is about 45 minutes and is for anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Hospice and non-hospice survivors are encouraged to attend. Hospice chaplains will conduct the ceremonies, which will include music, readings and a time for quiet reflection. Bereavement counselors will be on hand to provide comfort and support. Toll-free 1-800-486-8784.

"Man to Man" Prostate Cancer Support Group: 6 to 7 p.m. April 2, Florida Cancer Institute, 7154 Medical Center Drive (behind Johnny Carino's). There will be a discussion about the drug Casodex and prostate hormones. Betty Lawrence, 596-1926.

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.

Parkinson Support Group: 1 p.m. April 2, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind Oak Hill Hospital). GrandMaster Dennis Kelly will speak and demonstrate tai chi. Master Kelly is the oldest GrandMaster in the U.S. who is still competing. Tai chi is one of the best ways to maintain good balance, exercise and strengthen one's body, which is beneficial to Parkinson patients. Charlene or Don, 688-7261.

Road to Recovery: 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Northcliffe Baptist Church, 10515 Northcliffe Blvd. This is a Christ-centered recovery program that offers healing for addictive behaviors, hang-ups and hurts. The program is sponsored by the church. Steve Celinski, 683-5882, or www.nbchurch.org.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 604, weigh-in from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. and meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Regency Oaks clubhouse, 4445 Breakwater Blvd.; Doris, 666-9525, or Norris, 799-7907. TOPS 701, weigh-in at 9 a.m. and meeting at 9:30 a.m. Fridays, United Methodist Church, Shady Hills Road; Beverly, (727) 856-2436, or June (727) 856-4988. TOPS 716, 10 a.m. Fridays, Fellowship Wesleyan Methodist Church, 11250 Spring Hill Drive; 683-2063 or 686-0261. TOPS 746, weigh-in from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m., followed by the meeting until about 10 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 9344 Spring Hill Drive (Room 3). Jean, 683-8799, or Mary, (727) 869-1814.

Weeki Wachee

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 461, 9 a.m. Thursdays, Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way. Marilyn, 686-5120, or Dorothy, 596-6697. TOPS 547, weigh-in from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. and meeting at 9:30 a.m. Fridays, Nativity Lutheran Church. Betty, 686-8719.

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.

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 20:07:31]