Health and support

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 8, 2007

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:

- "Candles of Care" will be lit 6:30 p.m. today at Forest Oaks of Spring Hill, 8055 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. The event is to remember and honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease or a related illness, as part of National Commemorative Candle Lighting, an annual event sponsored by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. Cheryl Benders, 683-3323.

- Free memory screenings, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday. The screenings will be offered at a location in Spring Hill. Appointments must be scheduled. Call 727 848-8888 or toll-free 1-888-496-8004.

- Caregiver support groups - 1 p.m. Mondays, Spring Hill Enrichment Center (behind Oak Hill Hospital), 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill; Maria Curley, (727) 856-2196.

Hernando County Health Department: The local Health Department offers the following services:

- Flu and pneumonia shots clinic, 1 to 4 p.m. today, Heather Clubhouse, 9100 Nakoma Way, Weeki Wachee. Shots will be given first-come, first-served. Flu shots are $25; pneumonia shots $35. Medicare, cash and personal checks will be accepted. 540-6800, ext. 82052.

Health Department offices are at 300 S Main St., Brooksville, and 7465 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. For information, call the Health Department at 540-6800.

Hospice offers holiday grief support workshops: Hernando-Pasco Hospice will offer 90-minute workshops on how to cope during the holidays. The free workshops are for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one, and are led by bereavement counselors. The workshops will be offered at:

- 2 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Hospice West Hernando office, 12260 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill.

- 2 p.m. Wednesday, Hospice East Hernando office, 698 S Broad St., Brooksville.

Preregistration is requested. Call toll-free 1-800-486-8784. Additional workshops will be offered in Hernando County in December. There are several others offered in Pasco and Citrus counties. For other times, dates and locations, visit www.hphospice.org.

SPRING HILL

"All About Knees" seminar: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Hernando Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Hernando Medical Park, 12208 Cortez Blvd. The speaker will be Dr. Michael Higgins, an orthopedic surgeon. Refreshments will be served. The seminar is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. 596-4999.

Compassionate Friends of Brooksville/Spring Hill: 7 p.m. today, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind Oak Hill Hospital). Open to bereaved parents, siblings and other family members who have experienced the death of a child at any age. Lorraine, 684-1308, or Marie, 683-8038.

Florida Cancer Institute's Caregiver Support Group: 4 to 5 p.m. today, Florida Cancer Institute, Spring Hill Regional Hospital's Medical Arts Building, Suite 203, 10441 Quality Drive. Dorothy Hiller, 688-7744.

Gamblers Anonymous: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive. Diane, 263-2962.

Gastric Bypass Support Group: This is a new group that will meet 6:45 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at 4212 Las Palmas Ave. Information and knowledge on post-op after-care will be shared. The group will be led by Ed Poltonowicz, who has lost 201 pounds after having gastric bypass almost five years ago. The next meeting is Nov. 15. Ed, 597-2895.

La Leche League of Hernando County: 6 p.m. Monday, Oak Hill Hospital, cafeteria conference Room 2, 11375 Cortez Blvd. The topic is "The Baby Arrives/The First Few Weeks." The group leader is Cherish Nero, (727) 856-8693 or cherishnero@yahoo.com

Restless Legs Support Group: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Florida Sleep Institute, 4075 Mariner Blvd. Complementary and alternative treatments for RLS will be discussed. Mary Firminger will provide a presentation on OPC-3, an isotonic, all-natural antioxidant that has helped with her RLS. Dr. William Kohler of the Florida Sleep Institute will be available to address questions. RSVP to Betty or Bill Kinahan, 200-5440 or bkinahan@tampabay.rr.com

Road to Recovery: Open group, 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays; step study, 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Northcliffe Baptist Church, 10515 Northcliffe Blvd. This is a Christian 12-step 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.

Survivors Grief Support Group: 1 to 2 p.m. Fridays, Oak Hill Hospital conference room (near the cafeteria), 11375 Cortez Blvd. This is a support group for men and women who have lost a spouse. Rose, 596-6752, or Dee, 686-3196.

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 pday@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 November 7, 2007, 20:29:09]