Health and Support

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 17, 2008

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:

- Alzheimer's Caregiver Day - Information and Training, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Atria Evergreen Woods, 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail, Spring Hill. Topics include Alzheimer's disease, personal care, behavior management and safety. The cost is $10 for AFO members, $15 for nonmembers. Registration is required. Free respite care available; call the AFO at 727 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.

- 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.

National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI Hernando: NAMI Hernando offers the following:

- Family-to Family Education Course, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, starting Feb. 7, at the Beautiful Mind, 10554 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. This is a free 12-week education class for family members or close friends of someone who is depressed, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive or suffers from any other mental illness. Class size is limited and reservations are required. Bill or Judy, 544-0352.

Brooksville

"Health Whys" Seminar on surgical treatment for obesity: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Brooksville Regional Hospital, 17240 Cortez Blvd. The speaker is Dr. Lee Grossbard, who will discuss the LAP-BAND procedure for treatment of obesity. The seminar is free, but reservations are required. RSVP to 799-5019.

Spring Hill

"All About Knees" seminar: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Hernando Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Hernando Medical Park, 12208 Cortez Blvd. The speaker is Dr. Michael Higgins, who is board-eligible by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Refreshments will be served. Free. Reservations are required. 596-4999.

Amputee Support Group: 7 p.m. Jan. 28, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Spring Hill, in the private dining room, 12440 Cortez Blvd. Amputees, family and friends are invited. RSVP to Joy Andros, 592-4279.

Divorce Care: 7:30 p.m. Mondays, starting Jan. 28, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, parish hall, 2301 Deltona Blvd. Susan Bruno, 686-4602.

Gastric Bypass Support Group: 6:45 p.m. today, 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. This group will meet 6:45 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Ed, 597-2895.

Hernando County Ostomy Association: 2 to 4 p.m. today, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. New members welcome. Joan, 686-1077, or Nancy, 597-7933.

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.

"Lose Weight" Wellness Seminar: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., entrance C, fourth floor conference room. Provided by Wellness Seminars, Inc., this program combines hypnosis with behavior modification. Participants learn to lose weight without feelings of deprivation or denial. The first 45 minutes is free; those who continue pay $79.99, which includes the hypnotic session, Rena Greenberg's book, The Right Weigh: Six Steps to Permanent Weight Loss, a hypnosis CD and unlimited free repetitions of the hypnosis, if needed, for one year. No reservations required. Call toll-free 1-800-848-2822. A $10 discount is given to those who preregister online at easywillpower.com.

"You and Your Back" presentation: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Heritage Pines Country Club, 11524 Scenic Hills Blvd., off County Line Road, Spring Hill/Hudson border. The speaker is spine surgeon Dr. Frank S. Bono. The free seminar is part of Oak Hill Hospital's Healthy Living Community Education Series. A hot buffet will be served. There will also be free blood pressure and blood oxygen level checks, as well as glucose and cholesterol screenings. Seating is limited and reservations are required. RSVP to 597-6333.

Weeki Wachee

Divorce Care: 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays, starting this Sunday, Christian Church in the Wildwood, 10051 Country Road. Divorce Care is a 13-week video seminar that features 32 well-known experts on divorce. There is a $12 fee for a book. Phil or Kim Merrill, 200-6906 , or go online to www.divorcecare.org.

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 January 16, 2008, 20:40:07]