Digest

Health briefs

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Correspondent
Published October 21, 2007

The Pasco County Health Departments will provide free oral HIV testing from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Spirit of Life Metropolitan Community Church, 4133 Thys Road, New Port Richey. Testing is confidential. Call 727 661-5260, ext. 172.

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A caregiver support group, hosted by Gulfside Regional Hospice and the Hook Law Group, begins Wednesday and will continue each Wednesday to Dec. 12. Facilitated by Vanessa Price, MSW, the group meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Atria Windsor Woods, 13707 Dallas Drive in Hudson. Open to all caregivers the group will help them deal with the stress of full-time caring for a loved one. Call (727) 845-7507, ext. 244 to reserve a seat.

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November is National Hospice Month and Hernando-Pasco Hospice invites anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one to attend a Time for Remembrance ceremony at 2 and 6 p.m. Nov. 7 on the grounds of the HPH's East Pasco Campus, 37445 Clinton Ave., Dade City, and at the same times on Nov. 8 outside of the Marliere Hospice Care Center, 6801 Rowan Road, New Port Richey. After the ceremony where readings, music, reflection and tributes are offered there will be a release of doves during the afternoon and candlelight at the evening services. Call (727) 863-7971 or visit the Web site at hphospic.org.

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The Alzheimer's Family Organization offers a program to help caregivers review evacuation procedures available during hurricanes and collect appropriate data for use in determining people who would require placement at a special needs shelter. To sign-up, call (727) 848-8888 or (888) 496-8004. The Alzheimer's Family Organization will offer free memory screenings to anyone who feels he or she may be experiencing memory loss from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 13 in Zephyrhills. Call to schedule an appointment. A Candles of Care ceremony will remember and honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease or related illness as part of National Commemorative Candle Lighting, an annual event sponsored by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.. This event is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 8 at Braybrook of Bayonet Point, 7532 State Road 52 in Bayonet Point. Call (727) 863-3580.

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Hernando-Pasco Hospice provides volunteer training sessions for people to learn about making a difference in their community. Beginning Oct. 27 and concluding Nov. 3 two consecutive Saturday training sessions will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the HPH Marliere Hospice Care Center, 6801 Rowan Road, New Port Richey. Sheena Thompson, volunteer coordinator, will cover all aspects of HPH volunteer opportunities. Call her at (727) 847-5647 to register or visit the web site at hphospice.org. Training for working in the Hospice Thrift Store and More, 6528 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 29 or Nov. 14. Call Shirley Skinner at (727) 841-7356.

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The Dyslexia and Related Learning Styles Support Group of Tampa Bay meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Land O'Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O'Lakes. Call Randee Garretson at (813) 956-0502.

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Hike and Hospice a benefit for Gulfside Regional Hospice is set for 8 a.m. Nov. 10 in downtown New Port Richey. Registration is $35 and includes a T-shirt, breakfast and lunch. Sign up by calling Jennifer York at (727) 845-5707 or visit the Web site at firstlivng.com/HikeforHospice.

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The fourth annual Dragonfly920 motorcycle charity run to benefit Hernando-Pasco Hospice is set for Nov. 3 This event will take participants on a 100-mile ride through the winding hills of Hernando and Citrus counties. The first bike will depart at 8:30 a.m. from Suncoast Motorcycle and Marine, 14430 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill and the last bike will return to the same location at about 2:30 p.m. There will be five stops along the way. Cost is $25 for bikers and $15 for passengers. Registered bikers will receive a T-shirt. Door prizes and entertainment and lunch will be provided. To register call (727) 457-5048 or visit the Web site at dragonfly920.net.

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Osteoporosis Support Group meets at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Shoreline Caf Meeting room located at the rear of the Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point hospital cafeteria, 14000 Fivay Road, Hudson. Call Esther Estampdor at (727) 207-5967.

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The Alzheimer's Family Organization is looking for committee members for its 2008 Gong Show on Feb. 2 and for the 2008 Rally to Remember on April 5. Both are fund raising events and provide community networking opportunities. Call (727) 848-8888.

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Adult children of Alcoholics and Dysfunction Families meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity of Port Richey, 5844 Pine Hill Road in Port Richey. This is a 12-step program that maintains anonymity. Call Bonnie at (727) 862-4556.

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The Pasco County Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness offers three types of support group meetings each month for family and friends of those with mental illness and those with mental illness. This includes all types of brain disorders, including, but not limited to OCD, depression, autism, bi-polar, schizophrenia and multiple personalities. Daytime meetings are from 3 to 5 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month at the Regency Park Civic Association Building, 10240 Regency Park Blvd., Port Richey. The evening meetings are from 7:30 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Monday (except holidays) of the month at Conference Room C at Community Hospital, , 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Call Gloria at (727) 992-9653. The Family and Friends Adolescent Support Group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the North Pinellas Children's Medical Center, River Crossing Professional Center, 5508 Little Road, New Port Richey. Call Charity at (727) 457-8514. A consumer support group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at Community Hospital Resource Room, 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Call Mike at (727) 842-3372.

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Nicotine Anonymous meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Educational Center of St. Vincent DePaul Church, 4843 Mile Stretch Drive in Holiday. Call (727) 937-1396.

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The Depressive Bipolar Support Alliance of West Pasco meets at 2 p.m. each Tuesday at the A Club, 5650 W Missouri Ave. in New Port Richey. Call (727) 819-9427.

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The Alzheimer's Family Organization offers two support groups this week. On Monday at 3 p.m. a group meets at Zephyr Haven Health and Rehab Center, 38250 Ave. A, in Zephyrhills. Call Chaplain George Carpenter at (813) 782-5508. On Oct. 28, a group meets at 2 p.m. at Heritage Park, 37135 Coleman Ave. in Dade City. Call Mary Beth Lumbra or Ramona Scott at (352) 567-8615. The organization has a Wanderers Identification Program for people with memory disorder. Each person is given an identifying bracelet or pendant with a code number and telephone number to the participating Sheriff's Department. Call the office for details at (727) 848-8888 or (888) 496-8004. The Alzheimer's Family Organization will have its Seventh Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Nov. 3 at Beacon Woods Golf Club, 12507 Clocktower Parkway, Bayonet Point. Registration is at 7 p.m. with an 8:15 a.m. Shotgun Start. It will be an 18-hole Four Person scramble and included in the $75 per person fee will be a continental breakfast and lunch. Prizes will be awarded as well goodie bags. Call (727) 848-8888 or (888) 496-8004.

Please send any health related meetings or information to Michelle Jones at mjones721@tampabay.rr.com or fax to (813) 684-2457 or mail to P.O. Box 558, Valrico, FL. 33595. Call (813) 685-2200.

[Last modified October 20, 2007, 20:36:23]