Health Briefs 9-8-14
Classes/seminars
n How to Prevent Diabetes, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 22, 29 and Oct. 6, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. In this five-week education program, participants will learn how to make better food choices, begin to lose weight, become more active, discuss changing behaviors to improve their habits and use food records to track their food choices. The fee for the series is $50. Registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Managing Your Diabetes, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. Completion of the three-day “Diabetes Self-Management Training” is required prior to attending this class. Registration and information: 724-258-1483.
n Childbirth and labor preparation courses, 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 and 23, Community Room 1, main floor, Uniontown Hospital. Pre-registration is required: 724-430-4646.
n Community CPR instruction, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes are offered by Monongahela Valley Hospital in conjunction with Rostraver EMS. The fee for the class is $35 to cover the class and required materials. Registration: 724-872-9200.
n Prostate cancer screening and education program, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The prostate cancer screening and education program is free. At the screening, men will be offered a digital rectal exam, the standard test for prostate cancer; a hemocult test and a prostate specific antigen blood test. Information and registration: 724-258-1333.
n Child birth preparation class, 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 and 24, Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. Topics include the role of a labor coach, signs of labor, pain medication options, vaginal and caesarian deliveries and comfort measures including breathing and relaxation skills. Registration: 724-258-2229 ext. 9.
n Healthy eating supermarket tours, 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Healthy Directions, Finelyville Giant Eagle. Health care professionals from Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology will conduct the tours and discuss “Good Fats, Bad Fats” and perform bone density screenings. The program is free. Registration required: 724-348-6699 or 724-258-1148.
n Weight Loss Surgery for a Healthier You informational seminar, 6 p.m. Thursday and Sept. 25, Community Room 2, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. Anyone considering bariatric surgery is encouraged to attend free informational sessions prior to surgery to ensure they are fully aware of the process and the expected results. Information: 724-430-LOSE or uhweightloss.com.
Support groups
n Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging (AAA) caregiver support group, 1-2:30 p.m. today, AAA Conference Room, Fayette County Community Center, Building B, 137 North Beeson Ave., Uniontown. This new support group will meet to share and learn from one another’s experiences, as well as take advantage of professionals in human services. Information: 888-300-2704, Ext. 4418 or 4194.
n Breast cancer support group, 2-4 p.m. today, 7-East Family Room, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This group is free and open to all breast cancer patients and their families. Information: 724-258-1704.
n Caring Corner Grief Support Program for families and children, 6-8 p.m. every Monday, East End United Community Center, Uniontown. Information: 724-437-1660.
n Survivors of Incest Anonymous meeting, 6:30-8 p.m. every Monday, Mount St. Macrina Retreat Center, Uniontown. The group is a 12-step recovery program for women and men older than 18 who were sexually abused by a trusted person as a child. Information: peopleofcourage@gmail.com or siawso.org.
n Stepping Stone Bereavement Support group fall program, 7 p.m. Mondays, Callaway, Fayette County Health Center, 100 New Salem Road, Uniontown. The program runs for 10 weeks with different topics being presented weekly. Anyone who is newly bereaved or still having problems dealing with grief is invited to attend. There is no cost to participate. Information: 724-438-9373.
n Better Breathers Club, 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The club is free and open to all adults and their family, friends or caregivers who want to learn or share information about living well with breathing issues. Information: 724-258-1932 or 724-344-0287.
n Suicide survivor’s support group, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Thelma Sandy Conference Room, main floor, Uniontown Hospital. The group is for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Information: 724-438-6738.
n RSDS support group, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This group is free and open to all persons with RSDS or related illnesses. Information: 724-929-9492.
n Silver Generation Support Program, 10 a.m. to noon every Wednesday, East End United Community Center. The program is for adults ages 55 and older. Information: 724-437-1660.
n Al-Anon Family Groups, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Trinity Church basement, Fayette and Morgantown streets, Uniontown and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Christian Church, Pittsburgh Street, Connellsville. These meetings are for anyone who has been affected by or is having problems from someone else’s drinking. Information: al-anon.alateen.org or pa-al-anon.org.
n Cancer support group, 2 p.m. Sept. 15, 7-East Family Room, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This support group is free and open to all cancer patients and their families. Information: 724-258-1704.
n Stroke support group, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 17, Thelma Sandy Conference Room, main floor, Uniontown Hospital. Stroke survivors, caregivers, loved ones an anyone interested in learning more about stroke is invited. Monthly meetings will include a guest speaker, blood pressure readings, medication review and any other information requested. Information: 724-430-5212.
n Fayette County LICC meeting, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18, Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration Building, 215 Jacob Murphy Lane, Uniontown. The presentations include “Good Health Practices,” “Effective Strategies for Parents for Providing Positive Behavior Support” and “Parent Stress Relief.” The focus is for parents and caregivers for children ages birth to five years old. Lunch and a small stipend for each family in attendance will be provided. Reservations by Sept. 16: 1-800-328-6481 ext. 220.
n Ostomy support group, 2-3:30 p.m. Sept. 18, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This support group is free and open to all persons with ostomies and their families and friends. Information: 724-258-1773.
n Diabetes support group, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 18, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This program is free for people with diabetes, their families and caregivers. The topic will be, “Dealing with Depression.” Advanced registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Parkinson disease support group, 3 p.m. Sept. 23, New Meadow Run Community, 101 New Meadow Run Drive, Farmington. Dinner will be served following the meeting. Anyone diagnosed with Parkinson disease, their family members and friends are invited to attend.
n Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA has a support group for women who have been or who currently are in abusive relationships. It is a confidential, low-pressure, safe place. Information: 724-223-9190 or 800-791-4000 in Washington, 724-852-2463 in Greene or 724-439-9500 in Fayette.
n Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County provides quality services for all victims and families of sexual assault and other violet crimes. Most services are free, and all services are strictly confidential. The center is now accepting volunteer applications. Information: 724-438-1470 Crisis Hotline: 724-437-3737.
Community events
n Flu vaccinations are now available at all Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets in-store pharmacies. No appointments are needed and vaccinations are provided any time the pharmacy is open. The cost for the stand flu shot is $35 and most major insurance plans along with Medicare are accepted. Customers with Giant/Martin’s prescription savings card will receive $10 off their flu shot. For information to schedule an on-site flu clinic at an office: 877-439-1311.
n California University of Pennsylvania’s 27th annual health fair, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 17, south conference wing of the Convocation Center. Admission is free. More than 40 healthcare experts will be on hand to discuss topics such as diabetes, nutrition and smoking cessation. Free screenings for blood pressure, glucose, speech and hearing, blood oxygen levels and balance will also be offered. The Central Blood Bank will conduct a blood drive. The first 700 people to visit the health fair will receive drawstring bags, and there will be other prizes and free items available at the event. Information: 724-938-5922 or fayish@calu.edu.
n Wellness and fitness event, 9 a.m. Sept. 19, Sampey Park, Perryopolis. The event for people age 50 and older includes 3K walk, nutrition bingo, “Sit n’ Fit” activity and picnic. Those needing transportation can sign up at their local senior center and a FACT bus will pick them up. Information: 724-430-4603 or local senior center.
n Cornerstone Care’s Pink Masquerade Ball, 5-11 p.m. Sept. 27, Historic Summit Inn Resort, Farmington. The event will feature host Michelle Wright from WTAE-TV Morning News, a silent auction, entertainment by the String of Pearls Dance Troup, “Belle of the Ball” crowning and music by the N2o2R (Not too Old to Rock) band with dinner and dancing. The ball will include a mask contest for the prettiest, most creative and most elaborate mask. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased at dancingwithapinkribbon.com or by calling 724-852-1001 ext. 305. Money raised will benefit Cornerstone Care’s Dancing with a Pink Ribbon Breast Health Project that provides free clinical breast exams and educates men and women on the importance of early detection and annual screenings.
n Fayette County Heart Walk, 10 a.m. Oct. 4, Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Registration: heart.org/fayettewalk.com.
n The 11th annual MVH/Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk, Oct. 11, Charleroi Market House, 423 McKean Ave., Charleroi. Registration for the one or two mile fun walk begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Money raised goes toward supporting the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer in the community. Information: 724-258-1855.
n Women on Wellness (WOW) retreat, Oct. 25, Heston Farm, Fairmont. The event is built around a message of behavioral change and personal empowerment. Participants will engage in a three-part program of various activities meant to maintain, move and nourish the body, mind and spirit. In addition, a range of health screenings will be offered. Registration is $50, with scholarships and gift certificates available for women in financial need. The program is free for women in the military and wives or significant others of service personnel. Information: wowicandoit.com or 304-293-5690.
n There are still Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program Vouchers available to seniors. Those who can participate are 60 or older by Dec. 31 of this year and meet the income eligibility guidelines of making no more than $21,590 for a single person household, $29,101 on a two person household or $36,612 for a three person household. Last day to issue checks will be Sept. 30 and last day to redeem checks will be Nov. 30. Information: 724-430-4603.
Blood drives
n Fireman’s Social Hall, 12:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, 58 Dunbar St., Uniontown.
n Uniontown Hospital, Community Room No. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 500 West Berkeley St., Uniontown.
n Army National Guard, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 701 Petersburg Road, Connellsvlle.
n Farmington Fire Hall, 12:30-6 p.m. Sept. 18, 119 Elliotsville Road, Farmington.
n Geibel Catholic High School, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19, 611 East Crawrford Ave., Connellsville.
n First Christian Church, 12:30-6 p.m. Sept. 23, 512 Second St., Brownsville.
n Abundant Life church, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24, 1239 Brownfield Road, Uniontown.
n Franklin Memorial United Methodist Church, 3-7 p.m. Sept. 26, 54 Bridge St., Dunbar.
n American Legion, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30, 423 Route 21, Masontown.