Health and Support

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 28, 2008

Alcoholics Anonymous: For Hernando County locations, call 683-4597.

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 Informational Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 7, Pasco Regional Medical Center, 13100 Fort King Road, Dade City. The speaker is attorney Audrey Gay-Ehrhardt, who will discuss elder law issues. Other topics include personal care, stress, behaviors, safety, communication and grief. Registration is required by Friday. The cost is $15 for AFO members and $25 for nonmembers, which includes refreshments, lunch and a certificate of attendance. Free respite care is available. Toll-free 1-888-496-8004 or 727 848-8888.

- 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.

- Respite Assistance Program - Respite assistance is provided for caregivers of a dementia or Alzheimer's disease sufferer. The Alzheimer's Family Organization also will provide other national respite resources that can reimburse costs to caregivers.

- Wanderers Identification Program - This program provides the person with a memory disorder with an identifying bracelet or pendant with a code number and direct telephone number to the participating Sheriff's Office. If the person becomes lost or wanders from home, they can be identified through a shared database that houses essential patient information and caregiver contacts.

For information, call AFO at (727) 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.

Narcotics Anonymous: For Hernando County locations, call 754-7200.

Brooksville

"Quit Smoking Now" program: The Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center will offer this tobacco-cessation class starting Monday. It will be held 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays, through April 7, at the Hernando County Health Department Annex Building, 15470 Flight Path Drive, south of Brooksville. The program is free. Space is limited. To register, call Becky Martin, 540-6800, ext. 82148.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 208: 6 p.m. today, Gulf Ridge Park Baptist Church, 20200 Manecke Road. Linda, 796-1236.

Spring Hill

Dyslexia and Related Learning Differences Support Group: 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Arc Nature Coast's Community Cafe, 4560 Commercial Way. 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 group's Web site at www.hernandodyslexia.com.

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

"Look Good, Feel Better" program for female cancer patients: 3 to 5 p.m. today, Florida Cancer Institute, 7154 Medical Center Drive. Cosponsored by the American Cancer Society. This is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to help combat the appearance-related side affects of treatment. Reservations are required. Mary Capo, 596-1926, ext. 150.

"Man to Man" prostate cancer support group: 6 p.m. Monday, Florida Cancer Institute, 7154 Medical Center Drive. Cosponsored by the American Cancer Society. Betty Lawrence, 596-1926.

Moving On: 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Perkins Family Restaurant, 4685 Commercial Way. This is a self-help organization for seniors or others who have difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one. An optional lunch will follow the meeting. Marilyn, 597-5315, or Bill, 683-7409.

Restless Legs Support Group: 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 11, Florida Sleep Institute, 4075 Mariner Blvd. There will be a presentation about a clinical research study that members of this group can participate in. The study includes using the StepIt medical device. RLS sufferers who take part in the study and benefit from this device will receive the device free of charge at the end of the study. Information will also be given regarding a genetic research study being conducted by the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Dr. William Kohler of the Florida Sleep Institute should 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.

Spring Hill Parkinson's Support Group: 1 p.m. Monday, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind Oak Hill Hospital). Nurse practitioner Terri McClain will speak on the latest in Parkinson's disease treatments, research and medications. Caregivers and those suffering from Parkinson's are welcome. Charlene or Don, 688-7261.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 604, weigh-in from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd.; Doris, 666-9525, or Nancy, 592-1088. TOPS 701, weigh-in at 9 a.m. and meeting at 9:30 a.m. Fridays, United Methodist Church, Shady Hills Road; Beverly, (727) 856-2436, or June (727) 856-4988. TOPS 716, 10 a.m. Fridays, Fellowship Wesleyan Methodist Church, 11250 Spring Hill Drive; 683-2063 or 686-0261. TOPS 746, weigh-in from 8:30 to 9 a.m., immediately followed by the meeting until about 10 a.m., Grace Presbyterian Church, Building B, 8375 Spring Hill Drive. Mary, 200-7869, or Mary, (727) 869-1814.

Women's Breast Cancer Support Group: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Florida Cancer Institute, 7154 Medical Center Drive, off Cortez Boulevard. The speaker will be Tracy Hipp, a breast cancer survivor. Light refreshments will be served. Tambra Randazzo, 592-8128.

Weeki Wachee

Celebrate Recovery: 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Christian Church in the Wildwood, 10051 Country Road, off Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step program. Men's and women's discussion groups are offered. Visit the Web site at www.celebraterecovery or www.ccwildwood.com, or call 596-1388.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 461, 9 a.m. Thursdays, Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way. Marilyn, 686-5120, or Dorothy, 596-6697. TOPS 547, weigh-in from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. and meeting at 9:30 a.m. Fridays, Nativity Lutheran Church. Betty, 686-8719.

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 February 27, 2008, 20:11:14]