Health notes
By Michelle Jones, Times Correspondent
Published February 25, 2008
The Pasco County Chapter of National Alliance on Mentally 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.
There are two recovery support group programs for adults living with mental illness. One group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each Thursday at the Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, Shoreline Caf Meeting Room, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson. Call Robin at (727) 808 -6757. Another group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each Wednesday at Community Hospital, Health Resource Room, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey. Call Olga at (727) 457-0049.
The class "Cholesterol Counts" is offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Community Hospital, 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Conducted by Allison Pernecky, registered dietitian, the class is offered on the fourth Tuesday of every other month. Reservations are required by calling (727) 834-5630.
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Community Hospital offers a "Carbohydrate Counting Class: Easy Eating for Diabetics" at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Classes will continue on the fourth Wednesday of each month and will be presented by Bridget Shapiro, registered dietitian. The class is designed to educate diabetics on how they can better control their levels through diet. Seating is limited and reservations are required by calling (727) 834-5630.
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Seniors who have difficulty paying bills and balancing checkbooks can receive help through the CARES volunteer Bill Payer Program, This program offers free assistance to seniors age 60 and over who need help writing checks, paying bills, balancing checkbooks or setting up a budget because of a visual or physical impairment or a mild memory loss. Call (352) 518-9300 and ask for Sharon or Joe.
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The Birthplace at Community Hospital now offers a six week prepared childbirth course beginning March 5. The class is from 7 to 9 p.m. once a week and the fee is $70. The hospital is at 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey. The Birthplace also offers regular classes in prenatal yoga every Monday from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Registration is required and the fee is $50 for every four sessions. Call (727) 834-5630.
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A new program to help caregivers review evacuation procedures in the event of hurricanes is now available through the Alzheimer's Family Organization. Appropriate data will be collected to determine who will require placement at a special needs shelter. Monetary contributions will help expand the program. Call (727) 848-8888.
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The Florida Cancer Institute will host its breast cancer support group meeting at 6 p.m. March 6 at the center at 8763 River Crossing Blvd., New Port Richey. The group meets every other Thursday and sessions cover the use of makeup, pain control, body image and how to communicate with others about their condition. Reservations are advised by calling (727) 842-8411, ext. 150.
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An open house is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. March 6 at the Spine and Joint Care Center at Community Hospital, 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. This is to celebrate one year of providing care and the public is invited to see the unit that includes private rooms, a hotel feel and family dining. Refreshments and appetizers will be served and prize drawings will be conducted. Call (877) 442-2362.
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The Pasco Post-Polio Syndrome Group will meet at 2 p.m. March 2 at the Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road in Hudson. All Polio survivors and their friends are invited. Call Tony at (727) 862-1770.
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Registration is now open for the CARES Senior Moments program that will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday beginning March 12 for six weeks. Classes will be held in the CARES Mishkin Center, 7505 Rottingham Road, Port Richey. Cost is $180 for the program that includes maintaining and enhancing memory and brain function though mind fitness, learning skills and keeping a sense of humor. Call Christine Powers at (727) 862-9291, ext. 244.
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"Stress and a Healthier You" will be the lecture topic by registered nurse Jill Corriveau at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the CARES Hudson Bayonet Point Enrichment Center, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway in Hudson. She will talk about stressors, how to deal with stress, super foods, exercise and humor. This is free; however reservations are required by calling (727) 869-5498.
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Heart surgeon Dr. N.S. Rattehalli is the featured speaker for a lecture on "The Surgical Approach and Management of Atrial Fibrillation" at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Steve's Fountain View Restaurant, 4111 Land O'Lakes Blvd., in Land O'Lakes. The presentation is sponsored by the Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. The lecture is free, but reservations are required by calling (727) 869-5498.
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The West Pasco Bi-Polar Support Alliance meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Christ Fellowship Church, 5718 Grand Blvd., in New Port Richey. Call Bob at (727) 819-9427.
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Helping the Elderly with Legal Problems (HELP) offers free appointments at 1 p.m. March 13 and 27 at CARES, Claude Pepper Senior Center, New Port Richey and on March 4 and 18 at the CARES Phil Mishkin Center in Port Richey. Call (727) 844-3077 or (727) 862-9291 for appointments.
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The Florida Cancer Institute offers a breast cancer support group at 6 p.m. March 6 and then every other Thursday at the New Port Richey Center at 8763 River Crossing Blvd. Anyone, who is touched by breast cancer, is invited to attend including family members. Refreshments will be served and reservations are advised. Call (727) 842-8411, ext. 150. The Institute will host the American Cancer Society's "Look Good ... Feel Better" program from 2 to 4 p.m. March 3 at the New Port Richey Center at 8763 River Crossing Blvd. The free program teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients. Call (727) 842-8411.
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Community Hospital, offers free blood pressure checks from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. each Thursday at 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Call (877) 442-2367.
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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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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 Alzheimer's Family Organization offers three support groups this week. One group meets at 2 p.m. today at Heritage Park, 37135 Coleman Ave. Dade City. Call Mary Beth Lumbra at (352) 567-8615. Another group meets at 3 p.m. Monday at Zephyr Haven Health and Rehab Center, 38250 Ave. A., Zephyrhills. Call Chaplain George Carpenter at (813) 782-5508. The third group meets at 2 p.m. Friday at The Cottages, 5905 Pinehill Road, Port Richey. Call Vicky Hudgins a (727) 845-0527. 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. For information, 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.