Health notes

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Correspondent
Published November 5, 2007

Community Aging and Retirement Services Inc. CARES is participating in the National Council on Aging and the Access to Benefits Coalition "My Medicare Matters Navigator Program." The first session is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hudson Bayonet Point Enrichment Center, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway in Hudson. This is for anyone interested in learning about Medicare Part D including Medicare beneficiaries, their families, caregivers and community members. Bring Medicare number, drug plan, Medicare Advantage or Medigap Policy number. Registration is required by calling (727) 862-9291.

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The Compassionate Friends, a bereavement support group for parents, siblings and grandparents who have lost a child will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at Community Hospital of New Port Richey, 5637 Marine Parkway. Sherry Showalter, a counselor from the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, will speak on "Weathering the Holidays during the Winter of Your Grief." Call (813) 273-8721.

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The Pasco County Health Department will hold a Quit Smoking Support Group from 1 to 2 p.m. today at 10814 Little Road in New Port Richey. Discounted Nicotine patches will be available. Call Lisa Sloan at (727) 861-5250 Ext. 161.

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The Florida Cancer Institute will host the Man to Man prostate cancer support group from 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 15 at the center at 8763 River Crossing Blvd., New Port Richey. Co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society the sessions include discussions on the importance of early detection, signs and symptoms, prognosis, stages and treatment options. Speakers include nurses, physicians, dietitians, social workers and pharmacists. Call (727) 842-8411.

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Dr. Susan Friedman will speak on the topic of Jewish Genetics and Breast-Ovarian Cancer at the Hadassah meeting set for 11 a.m. Nov. 14 at Sun Trust Bank, 8701 U.S. 19 in Port Richey. Friedman, in collaboration with the Moffitt Cancer Center Institute, has produced a DVD on the subject. Copies will be distributed at the meeting. Lunch, for $18, will be catered and reservations are required by calling (727) 848-1902. Proceeds will be donated to the Hadassah Medical Organization.

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A caregiver support group, hosted by Gulfside Regional Hospice and the Hook Law Group continues 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 (HPH) 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. Wednesday on the grounds of the HPH's East Pasco Campus, 37445 Clinton Ave., Dade City, and at the same times on Thursday 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 Florida Cancer institute hosts the American Cancer Society's Look Good, Feel Better program once a month in the conference room at 8763 River Crossing Blvd., New Port Richey. The next program is from 2 to 4 p.m. today. This program teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients Reservations are required. Call (727) 842-8411.

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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 individuals 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. Thursday at Braybrook of Bayonet Point, 7532 State Road 52 in Bayonet Point. Call (727) 863-3580. In recognition of Alzheimer's Month, Grandma Joyce Simard, MSW, will talk to children about the disease at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Land O'Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O'Lakes. There will be a memory book and family tree activities for children and free Alzheimer's screenings for adults. Call (812) 929-1214.

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The Hernando-Pasco Hospice (HPH) bereavement counselors hope to ease the burden of holiday sadness by offering 90-minute workshops with suggestions on how to cope during the season. Workshops are being held on Nov. 14 at the following times and locations: 3 p.m. at HPH, 4422 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey; 6 p.m. in the Community Center at Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, 11500 Old Tampa Bay Drive, San Antonio or at 6:30 p.m. at the HPH office, 6807 Rowan Road, New Port Richey. Also on Nov. 15, workshops are scheduled for 3 p.m. at the HPH Marliere Hospice Care Center, 6801 Rowan Road, New Port Richey and at 6 p.m., at HPH, 12029 Majestic Blvd., Suite I in Hudson. Call (727) 863-7971 or visit the Web site at hphospice.org.

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Pasco Post-Polio Syndrome Group meets at 2 p.m. today at the Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, in Hudson. All polio survivors and friends are invited. Call (727) 862-1770 or (727) 844-7810.

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Hike and Hospice, a benefit for Gulfside Regional Hospice, is set for 8 a.m. Saturday 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 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 (NAMI) 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 three support groups this week. On Tuesday, a group meets at 10 a.m. in the Atria Baypoint Village Clubhouse, 7927 S.R. 52 in Hudson. Call Maria Curley at (727) 856-2196. Two groups meet on Wednesday. At 2 p.m. a group meets at the CARES Service Center, 7505 Rottingham Road, Port Richey. Call Maureen Bell at (727) 856-6147. Also on Wednesday, a group meets at 6 p.m. at La Casa Grande, 6400 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey. Call Rich Beason at (727) 847-2980. 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.

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 November 4, 2007, 20:44:02]