Health

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 22, 2007

Alzheimer's Family Organization: The following programs are offered through the Alzheimer's Family Organization:

- Caregiver support groups - 1 p.m. Wednesday, Hernando Beach Club, 3165 Flamingo Blvd.; 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 for caregivers of a patients with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Family Organization also will provide other national respite resources that can reimburse costs to caregivers.

- Wanderers Identification Program for people with a memory disorder; includes an identifying bracelet or pendant with a code number and direct telephone number to the participating Sheriff's Office. Shared database of essential patient information and caregiver contacts.Call AFO at (727) 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.

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.

Hernando County Health Department:

- Free childhood vaccines/immunizations, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays (except Thursdays) at the Brooksville and Spring Hill offices. Bring immunization records to determine which vaccines a child requires. Appointments not necessary.

- "Freedom from Smoking" program. This is the American Lung Association's smoking cessation program. The clinic runs for seven weeks, one meeting per week, except for "quit week," when two meetings are scheduled (meetings are 1 1/2 hours each). The cost is $25. Call for class schedule/location. Becky Martin, 540-6800, ext. 82148.

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

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

National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI Hernando:

NAMI Hernando offers the following:

- 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. Call the center at 684-0004, or Ginny, 686-2687.

- 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 at the Beautiful Mind. This group meets separately from the friendship group. It is for families of the mentally ill to exchange insights about mental illness and learn how others are coping. Call Ginny, 686-2687.

- Evening Family Support Group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. on first and third Wednesdays at the Beautiful Mind. This is a discussion group is for families of the mentally ill to talk with others who understand adult mental illness. Call 544-0352.

- T-shirt fundaiser. Shirts are $10 (NAMI consumers pay $5). Call Ginny, 686-2687.

- Volunteers are needed to become support group leaders for parents of children with mental illness. Training is provided. Call Darlene, 686-0004.

- A speakers group is available to area church, civic and social organizations. Call Darlene, 686-0004.

- Visit the Web site at www.namihernando.org.

Reach for Recovery: Individuals newly diagnosed with breast cancer can get information and support through this American Cancer Society program. Call toll-free 1-800-227-9954; those who ask to be contacted by Reach to Recovery can have a trained volunteer provide a one-on-one visit. The program is free.

Senior Rx Assistance Program: For county residents 60 or older who need financial assistance to buy 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 these locations:

- 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 Tuesdays, Brooksville Enrichment Center, 670 S Broad St., Brooksville.

- 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, East Hernando Branch Library, 6457 Windmere Road, Ridge Manor West.

SHINE counselors can help 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. Call the Elder Hotline toll-free at 1-800-262-2243.

Weight Watchers: For area meetings, call toll-free 1-800-651-6000.

SPRING HILL

Free diabetic foot screenings: Nov. 29, at the office of podiatrist John E. Baker, 6317 Sealawn Drive. Dr. Baker is a certified wound care specialist and Board-certified in podiatric surgery. For an appointment, call 597-2223.

Dyslexia and Related Learning Differences Support Group: 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4, Arc Nature Coast's Community Cafe, 4560 U.S. 19. The group is for parents of children who have or are suspected of having, dyslexia or related learning differences. Children are welcome; a large craft-style room is available for them during the meeting. Nikki, 584-5512, or visit the Web site at www.hernandodyslexia.com.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Forum: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Course Lane. Sponsored by the Department of Elder Affairs, Mid Florida Community Services and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the free event is designed to raise awareness of the services and support systems available to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Reservations are required. 796-8117.

Leukemia/Lymphoma Support Group: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Florida Cancer Institute, 10441 Quality Drive, Suite 203, in the Medical Arts Building next to Spring Hill Regional Hospital. This is for patients, family members and friends who are learning to live with leukemia, lymphoma Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. The group facilitator is Jeff Haight, RN, 688-7744.

"Man to Man" Prostate Cancer Support Group: 6 p.m. Dec. 3, Florida Cancer Institute, 7154 Medical Center Drive. Brooks Edwards will speak on health and diet, nutrition and prostate cancer. Cosponsored by the American Cancer Society. Betty Lawrence, 596-1926.

New Treatments for Congestive Heart Failure" is next For Your Health seminar: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oak Hill Hospital, Hernando Medical Center, fourth floor classroom, 11375 Cortez Blvd. The speaker is Lingappa Amarchand, who is board-certified in internal medicine. Free; reservations are advised. 597-6333.

Spring Hill Parkinson Support Group: Christmas luncheon buffet, 11 a.m. Dec. 9, Wellington Clubhouse, 400 Wexford Blvd. All Parkinson's patients and caregivers are welcome. Charlene or Don, 238-2447.

Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities to provide Level I Advocacy Training: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 and again from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Arc Nature Coast's Community Cafe, 4560 Commercial Way. The free training will help participants learn what their children's rights are, and how to use such rights to obtain a free and appropriate education. Handouts and materials will be provided. Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis. No child care will be provided. Hosted by the Dyslexia and Related Learning Differences Support Group. To register, call Nikki Pierce at 584-5512 or send an e-mail with your name, address, phone and e-mail address to Npierce at tampabay.rr.com. Registration can be done online at www.hernandodyslexia.org.

Women's Breast Cancer Support Group: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, Florida Cancer Institute, 7154 Medical Center Drive. Tambra, 592-8128.

"World AIDS Day" free HIV education and testing: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 1, Wal-Mart Supercenter, 1485 Commercial Way. Sponsored by Wal-Mart and the Hernando County Health Department. Health service representatives Laura A. Dunn and Joan D. Felix-Sepulveda will provide information on the disease, prevention and disease management. Free, confidential and anonymous testing will be available for individuals older than 13, using the Orasure test, a test that does not use needles or require blood. 540-6800, ext. 82173.

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 21, 2007, 20:26:46]